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All the United Kingdom Northern Ireland Belfast 'Alec the Goose'

'Alec the Goose'

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

Belfast, Northern Ireland

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katielou106
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Alec and his friend.   William Murphy/cc by-sa 2.0
Alec and friend.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
“Alec the Goose.”   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Footsteps.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

"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.

Related Tags

Markets Birds Statues Public Art Animals

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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.

Community Contributors

Added By

katielou106

Edited By

SEANETTA, MrCarl, Kerry Wolfe, theluceys

  • SEANETTA
  • MrCarl
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • theluceys

Published

January 3, 2020

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Sources
  • http://asearchersdiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/oh-statue-why-art-thou-alec-goose.html
  • https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/feathers-fly-over-goose-sculpture-28478923.html
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alec+the+Goose/@54.5955447,-5.9225995,163m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x486108ff9a06b31b:0xe4db00d4e23d0899!2sAlec+the+Goose!8m2!3d54.5955447!4d-5.9220523!3m4!1s0x486108ff9a06b31b:0xe4db00d4e23d0899!8m2!3d54.5955447!4d-5.9220523
'Alec the Goose'
18 East Bridge St
Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 3NQ
United Kingdom
54.595545, -5.922052
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