A groundbreaking photography project has given young people the opportunity to document the Belfast Hills through their own unique perspectives, creating a visual archive of the natural heritage found in Cave Hill, Divis Mountain, and Black Mountain. The initiative, part of the Belfast Photo Festival and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has not only captured stunning imagery but has also transformed how participants view these iconic landscapes.
Polly Garnett, who led the Belfast Photo Festival project, described the experience as perhaps the first time she had been able to give people cameras and observe what caught their attention. Coming from a traveler background, Garnett found personal connection with the hills when she moved to Northern Ireland. "I could see Cave Hill and, you know, Napoleon's nose being such a significant landmark, it kind of made me feel more comfortable so I started going hiking and exploring them," she explained. Her work with the Belfast Hills Partnership and the National Trust has deepened her appreciation for the cultural significance of these natural spaces.
Silvia Galli, an Italian who serves as the Wild Youth Officer for the Belfast Hills Partnership, has witnessed firsthand how the diverse landscapes affect young participants. She emphasized that the hills offer "different views, different landscape, different habitat, different wildlife" that provide young people with new perspectives. "I think the hills offer a space free of all boundaries, where kids can really thrive, you know, because they're not restricted in a building, or they're not wearing uniforms," Galli observed. She noted how dramatically children's behavior and personalities can change when they're free from the constraints of built environments.
The Belfast Hills have faced significant challenges in recent years, including damage from wildfires alongside ongoing nature restoration efforts. One of the most poignant pieces in the exhibition features Polly's photograph of a rabbit skull, a victim of the flames that swept through the area. This powerful image serves as a reminder of the environmental pressures these natural spaces face.
The photographs taken by both Garnett and the young participants are currently displayed outside the coffee shop on Divis Mountain. Beginning in September, these images will become part of a publicly accessible digital archive documenting natural heritage across Northern Ireland, exploring the meaning of green spaces to communities and examining the impacts of climate change on these environments.
Ryan Nelson, a 23-year-old who had previously volunteered in the hills, found the photography experience particularly rewarding. "I feel I know a lot more. I take a lot more notice of things around, you know, like looking out for different things that maybe stand out or something I could maybe take a picture of and share," he said. His creative contributions included playful shots of himself pretending to be imprisoned behind a gate and placing sunglasses on a tree. Nelson particularly enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the project, saying his favorite part was "coming together at the end and seeing everyone else's interpretations of how they had seen what you had seen differently."
For Scott Montgomery, a 21-year-old from Carrickfergus, the historical dimensions of the hills added depth to the photographic experience. He was fascinated by both the human history, including the fairs that have been held on Cave Hill, and the geological timeline stretching back millennia. "It's interesting from a geological point of view if you think about its formation with the caves," Montgomery explained. "You can actually see on it the layers of where was what and what was covered in ice way back when."
The hills also serve as repositories for more recent human stories and memories. Garnett has discovered numerous prayer cards scattered across the landscape during her hikes, along with memorial plaques placed by visitors who recognize the beauty and significance of the space. "And people put up a lot of, like, memory plaques and things like that, because I think people get that it's a beautiful space. So it becomes really significant for people," she noted.
Montgomery hopes the photographs will help others understand the unique value of Northern Ireland's natural landscapes. Despite limited travel experience, he has gained perspective on how rare such expansive green spaces are globally. "I haven't been outside of the country much, but when I have, it makes you realize that these sort of grand green areas and all our hills and things - they're few and far between elsewhere," he reflected. "We have to appreciate what we have and make sure we defend it."
The project represents more than just artistic expression; it serves as both documentation and advocacy for the preservation of Northern Ireland's natural heritage. Through the eyes of young photographers, the Belfast Hills are being seen and appreciated in new ways, creating lasting records of landscapes that face ongoing environmental challenges while continuing to provide sanctuary and inspiration for local communities.
