No author for many of us - myself included - evokes childhood memories quite like those of C S Lewis with his tales of the Pevensie children, their friend Aslan and the magical land of Narnia. So when I discovered a trail in and around Belfast city centre dedicated to the author and the sights and sounds that helped inspire him to write over 40 books, I just had to take a look. 

My journey started in the Linen Hall Library, the oldest library in Belfast, founded in 1788 and the last subscribing library in Ireland. It's also home to an exceptional collection of books donated by the C S Lewis Association of Ireland. Books by and about the author are included and I could have easily spent the day leafing through the pages had I not been so eager to continue my excursion.

Next I travelled to the east of the city, to Ty-lsa (Welsh for The House Alone), home of Lewis' paternal grandfather from 1870 until 1903. Along the way at the Hollywood Arches I encountered The Searcher, a bronze life size sculpture, created by local artist Ross Wilson. It depicts Lewis as Digory Kirke - who features in the Magicians Nephew - peering into a wardrobe. I could just imagine Aslan's golden eyes staring back at me from his dark hiding place.

Close by sitting on Bunker Hill, is St Marks Church of Ireland with it's 150 foot bell tower, Lewis' local church. The red Sandstone building was conceived by the noted Victorian architect William Butterfield, who also designed Keeble College, Oxford. Lewis was baptised here on 29th January 1899 and confirmed here on 6th December 1914. The church has a stained glass window donated by Lewis and his brother, in memory of their parents.

Not far away is Little Lea, the Lewis family home from 1905 until 1930. It was while living here as a child that he wrote and illustrated his first stories. The Liborough Review was a family magazine put together for their own enjoyment. Young Lewis must have had an enthusiastic audience. Indeed, it's been said that living here played an important role in Lewis finding the inspiration to conjure up the magical land of Narnia.

Campbell College is about a mile away. In 1910 Lewis boarded here, though having developed respiratory problems he was forced to leave and completed just half a term. However, he always had fond memories of the place, in particular his English teacher Lewis Alden.

Getting desperate for a cup of tea I stopped off at the Belmont Tower, a short distance from the college. The tower is a late Victorian listed building recently refurbished to it's original glory. It was the ideal place to take a breather and it also houses a small collection of exhibits about C S Lewis.

Rested and refreshed I made my way to the site of Lewis' birth. Unfortunately demolished in 1952 - alas the price of progress - Dundella Villas were a pair of semi - detached houses attached to an old coach house. Albert and Flora Lewis took up residence here shortly after their marriage in 1894, and on 29th November 1898 Clive Staples Lewis was born here. Though flats now occupy the site, a blue plaque mentioning the author's connection can be seen.

My final destination was the leafy Queens Quarter in south Belfast, home to Queens University. Lewis' mother was a student here. In 1866 she received her degree after studying Logic, Algebra, Geometry and Mathematics.

A short distance away is The Methodist College, where between 1881 and 1885 she attended Ladies Classes. Such was Lewis' love of Belfast that later in life while living in Oxford, he thought of finding employment at the university and keeping his English home as a holiday retreat.

Later that day while sipping my Latte in the nearby Students Union, - which is open to the public - I couldn't help but think how thoroughly I had enjoyed my trip and how many childhood memories I had recalled - the teacher standing at the top of the class reading aloud. I would recommend this trail to anyone with an interest in C S Lewis. Hope you enjoy it.

Copyright John Rooney 2007