The Irish Stew

The Irish Stew

The Banana Block

Belfast's must-visit! Portview Trade Centre and Banana Block

John and Sally McKenna's avatar
John and Sally McKenna
Jun 03, 2024
∙ Paid
www.bananablock.org (Photos Sally McKenna)

Turning East Belfast into a tourist must-visit! sounds about as impossible as growing bananas in East Belfast.

Except, they once did grow bananas in East Belfast. The Banana Block at the Portview Centre was once-upon-a-time the Strand Spinning Mill, founded and owned by Otto Jaffe. As the Victorians loved to do, Jaffe sent back banana plants to Belfast f…

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