'Alec the Goose' – Belfast, Northern Ireland - Atlas Obscura
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'Alec the Goose'

St. George's Market
Belfast, Northern Ireland

The statue honors a beloved bird that once roamed St. George's Market. 

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Alec and his friend. William Murphy/cc by-sa 2.0
Alec and his friend. William Murphy/cc by-sa 2.0
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“Alec the Goose” is a sculpture dedicated to a popular goose who used to waddle around this area of East Belfast in the 1920s. During his short life, the goose was a regular at St. George’s Market, as he belonged to a local poultry vendor.

The beloved bird is depicted with a young female companion because it’s said he used to walk the local schoolchildren to school. Tragically, Alec was hit by a truck one day and died, so perhaps his tendency to accompany children onto the street wasn’t the wisest idea. 

The statue was rather poorly received when it was unveiled in 2009. The Markets’ Development Association accused the Department of Social Development of choosing to splurge on the artwork instead of funding social and environmental improvement projects.

Know Before You Go

You'll find the goose outside the southern entrance to St. George's Market, along East Bridge Street. Located near a set of bike stands, it is visible even when the market is closed.

markets public art birds statues animals
Nearby
St. George's Market
0.02 miles
Belfast Titanic Memorial Garden
0.27 miles
Albert Memorial Clock
0.36 miles
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