The Big Fish (the Salmon of Knowledge)

ADDRESS: Donegall Quay, Belfast. BT1 3NG

“The Big Fish” was commissioned to celebrate the return of fish to the river Lagan after decades of industrial pollution that had made the river uninhabitable.

The giant sculpture is based on a character from the tale “The Boyhood deeds of Fionn”. The story tells of a fish that eats some hazelnuts that had fallen into the Well of Wisdom. After devouring the nuts, the salmon gained all the knowledge in the world. According to the tale, the first person to eat the salmon would then inherit all of its knowledge. According to local folklore, kissing the fish invokes wisdom.

Lagan Rivers Trust is dedicated to restoring water quality, clean water, and good river habitat to the river Lagan, all the tributaries and Belfast Lough, in a sustainable manner. The Trust aims to do this by working with local communities, businesses, government agencies, and all water users including anglers, canoeists, farmers and landowners.

Sustainable Fish Cities Northern Ireland is an ambitious campaign by Ulster Wildlife and Nourish NI to create Northern Ireland’s first-ever Sustainable Fish Cities in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. Any business or organisation that serves fish, from restaurants and retailers to hospitals and education establishments, can get involved by committing to buy, serve, eat, and promote fish from sustainable sources.

This stop also links with sustainable development goals numbers 6 and 14, Clean Water and Sanitation and Life Below Water.

The big fish