THE PORTRAIT COLLECTION

Step into the grandeur of the Great Hall, where a curated selection from the University’s extensive Portrait Collection is displayed. This impressive array features highly distinguished sitters painted by artists of international acclaim. Among the illustrious subjects are former Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, as well as notable figures connected to the University, including the esteemed poet Seamus Heaney, pioneering nephrologist Professor Mollie McGeown, cardiologist and inventor of the portable defibrillator Professor Frank Pantridge, and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. Each portrait not only captures the essence of these remarkable individuals but also reflects the rich history and legacy of Queen’s University Belfast.

Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon in the tradition of the medieval Great Halls of England and the renowned Oxbridge colleges, the Great Hall is a tribute to timeless architecture. Though Lanyon's original grand vision was curtailed by budget constraints, the restoration by Consarc Design in 2000 referred directly to his original designs, earning the space a RIBA award. This restoration transformed the Great Hall into an impressive and versatile venue, now at the heart of University life, hosting everything from performances and conferences to wedding receptions and special events. A highlight is the beautifully restored organ, originally from Christchurch where Lanyon and his wife worshipped, brought back to its former glory through support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For many years, the only portrait of a woman to hang in the Great Hall was that of Queen Victoria by Sir George Hayter. The Queen’s Gender Initiative, however, has taken bold steps to redress this imbalance, actively commissioning portraits of influential women associated with the University. The first of these, unveiled in 2002, was of Professor Mary (Mollie) McGeown, one of the University’s most distinguished medical graduates who was named as one of the fifty women who had contributed most to the success of the NHS. More recent additions include Professor Carol Graham by Jennifer Trouton (2021) and Her Excellency Dr. Raja Al Gurg by Catherine Creaney (2024), with the University continuing to commission portraits of remarkable women who have contributed to the legacy of Queen’s.