Beacon of Hope, Belfast

The Beacon of Hope is a striking public art sculpture located in Thanksgiving Square, created by Scottish artist Andy Scott. Standing 19.5 metres tall, it was completed in 2007 and has since become one of Belfast’s most recognisable modern landmarks.

The sculpture portrays a graceful female figure made of stainless steel and bronze, spiralling upwards with an outstretched arm holding a symbolic “ring of thanksgiving.” At her feet rests a bronze globe representing peace, harmony and Belfast’s connections with the wider world, marking cities to which its people have migrated or with which its industries have established links. Over time, the sculpture has earned several affectionate local nicknames, including “Nuala with the Hula,” “The Bell on the Ball” and “The Thing with the Ring.”

More than just a striking addition to Belfast’s skyline, the Beacon of Hope carries a message of reconciliation and gratitude. The idea for the sculpture was originally inspired by Myrtle Smyth, who was moved by a visit to Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas. Andy Scott brought that vision to life, with the finished work becoming a symbol of the city’s renewal and its ongoing journey towards peace. The sculpture quickly gained popularity and has since been widely embraced as a symbol of Belfast and its civic identity.

With its soaring figure, powerful symbolism and universal message, the Beacon of Hope has become a beloved landmark, celebrated for both its artistic merit and its representation of Belfast’s resilient and outward-looking spirit.