Belfast, a rural municipality in Prince Edward Island, Canada, is a hidden gem nestled in southeastern Queens County within the townships of Lot 57 and Lot 58. This predominantly agricultural area, located on the island's south shore along the Northumberland Strait, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Belfast's history dates back to 1803 when it became the landing site for Lord Selkirk's settlers. These displaced Scottish farmers quickly established themselves on the area's fertile land, transforming Belfast into one of the most productive farming districts in the colony.
The mid-19th century saw the arrival of Irish Great Famine refugees, leading to a mix of cultures and occasional tensions, most notably during the Belfast Riot in March 1847. Despite these challenges, the area around Belfast remained a Canadian Gaelic-speaking region for a long time, contributing significantly to Scottish Gaelic literature.
In 1917, Rev. Murdoch Lamont, a Gaelic-speaking Presbyterian minister, published a booklet titled, "An Cuimhneachain: Òrain Céilidh Gàidheal Cheap Breatuinn agus Eilean-an-Phrionnsa." This publication preserved the most complete versions of the Canadian Gaelic oral poetry composed on Prince Edward Island, including works by Selkirk settler Calum Bàn MacMhannain and Ruaraidh Mór Belfast.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Belfast had a population of 1,687 living in 674 of its 971 total private dwellings. This represented a 3.1% increase from its 2016 population of 1,636. With a land area of 229.27 km2 (88.52 sq mi), Belfast had a population density of 7.4/km2 (19.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Belfast offers a variety of recreational facilities, including the Belfast Rec Center, Belfast Highland Greens golf course, and the Belfast Community Pool. The community-operated campground at Lord Selkirk Provincial Park is another popular attraction.
The lighthouse at nearby Point Prim, designed by Architect Isaac Smith in 1845, is the oldest lighthouse on the Island and the only round brick lighthouse on PEI. Hannah's Bottle Village, a local tourist attraction made up of miniature buildings constructed of glass bottles and cement, is also worth a visit.
St. John's, the local parish church built in 1824, is under the pastoral care of Rev. Roger W.MacPhee. The church has the largest Presbyterian Sunday school east of Montreal. In addition to St. John's, Belfast is home to Saint Michael's Roman Catholic and Wood Islands Presbyterian churches.
Incorporated in 1972, the Community of Belfast encompasses several localities or settlements, including Belfast, Melville, Iona, Culloden, Eldon, Flat River, Fodhla, Garfield, Lower Newtown, Mount Buchanan, Mount Vernon, Pinette, Roseberry, Valley, Surrey, Belle River, Wood Islands, and Point Prim. Each of these communities contributes to the unique character and charm of Belfast, Prince Edward Island.
