Black Santa meets The King at gallery opening
Dean Stephen Forde with his portrait as Black Santa by Ciaran Gallagher in the Sea Holly Gallery.
The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, had the opportunity to meet His Majesty The King on Wednesday March 19 at the opening of the Sea Holly Gallery in Hill Street, close to St Anne’s Cathedral.
King Charles began his two-day visit to Northern Ireland, marking the week of St Patrick’s Day, by meeting some of the ‘Characters of the Cathedral Quarter,’ including Dean Forde, Belfast’s own Black Santa.
The Dean was one of those invited by local entrepreneur Willie Jack to have his portrait painted by Belfast artist Ciaran Gallagher. The picture was hung alongside some 15 others in the new gallery located above The Harp Bar.
King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, took some minutes to talk with Dean Forde about the work of Black Santa and the challenges for charities in raising much-needed funding, something that the King is all too aware of through the many charities with which he is involved. He was also interested to know that the familiar Black Santa Barrel began its life as a Bushmills whiskey barrel.
Dean Forde said: “We were each asked to come dressed exactly as we had been painted for our portraits, which meant for me my familiar black cloak. It proved a talking point with the King, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy meeting the variety of figures who make up the life of the Cathedral Quarter.”
Follow us online
© Copyright The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor 2025 | Web Design by LD2.digital