Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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16th May and we are out for a walk round the wonderful Stormont Estate off the Upper Newtownards road, running out of Belfast.Stormont is the magnificent home of our Northern Ireland Assembly.
During the tenure of Northern Ireland Secretary of State Mow Mowlan ( 1989-2001 ), this once, closed the public space, was opened up to large concerts ( Elton John etc ) and other events and then it was completely opened up to the general public to walk through everyday. The Stormont Assembly building and the grounds are now a major tourist attraction.

Today ( Saturday )as we walked through, preparations were well under way for the Red Bull Soapbox Race 17th May 2026 being held here tomorrow afternoon.
This unique downhill race will see 40 fearless teams go head-to-head in a gravity-powered dash for glory, piloting their own homemade soapbox machines along a purpose-built course in the shadow of one of Belfast’s most historic landmarks- Stormont and down the main Prince of Wales Avenue towards the entrance.