The eclectic collection of portraits profiles more than 50 of the city's most well-known identities from a range of backgrounds including sports, the arts, business and medicine.

Belfast City Council commissioned the exhibition to mark the centenary of the City Hall and is one of two legacy projects which were set to be unveiled this week to show the city's rich history, both past and present.

Belfast-born photographer Michael McDonald has managed to capture some of the many characters and personalities that have helped shape Belfast into the vibrant, cultural city it is today.

Belfast boy and footballing legend George Best sits alongside renowned engineer and Titanic designer Thomas Andrews.

Van 'The Man' Morrison shares the stage with musician Francis McPeake and architect Peter McGuckin and children's author CS Lewis learns a line or two off Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody.

Other portraits include former snooker world champion Alex Higgins, poet John Hewitt, playwright Marie Jones, Irish President Mary McAleese, trade unionist James Larkin, author Glenn Patterson, Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Peters, actors Kenneth Branagh, Jimmy Ellis and Stephen Rea and singer Brian Kennedy.

No Mean City was unveiled at Belfast City Hall last night and will be on display until the end of June next year.