Forgotten Folk
Fortwilliam Park and its Rich History
The story of Fortwilliam Park from it’s earliest times featuring a past fort, it’s wealthy merchants and a famous actress.
All Belfast Entries Posts
Famous Folk
‘Toothless’ Shane – the Outlaw Hero of County Tyrone
Stories of the life and exploits of County Tyrone’s cunning outlaw, ‘Toothless’ Shane Bernagh remain popular today.
Historical Places
Carrickfergus and its Ancient Inn with a Spooky Past – Dobbins Inn
The tale of the ancient Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus and its tumultuous past including an ill-fated romance and ghostly inhabitants
Historical Places
‘The Light of the World’ – From the Abbey to Bangor Castle
The history of Bangor Castle on the site of the earlier Abbey which was once renowned as ‘The Light of the World’
Stories
Lucifers Inferno & its Ghosts – Millfield, Belfast 1882
The tragic loss of life at Lucifers Matchstick Factory in Belfast 1882 serves as a reminder of the poor working conditions of our ancestors
Historical Places
The Abbey at Whiteabbey – Another Lost Mansion?
The Abbey at Whiteabbey has undergone several major transformations in its time but now lies derelict, another lost mansion.
Historical Places
Victoria Street Belfast -A History
Today it is hard to imagine the grandeur of 19th century Victoria Street, once central to Belfast commerce. A few notable buildings remain.
Historical Places
The Glynn and The Luck of the Irish
Glynn, from the Irish ‘glean’ meaning ‘the valley’ is a small picturesque village in County Antrim in the barony of Lower Belfast.
Historical Places
Belfast Restaurant Memories – The Carlton and the Lombard
The story of two famous Belfast restaurants – The Carlton Restaurant in Donegall Place and Café and the Lombard Café in Lombard Street.
Advice & Rules
Irish Author Quotes on Life, Love, Family and Death
A selection of quotations by Irish authors on life and it’s lessons, love & relationships, family and death.
Forgotten Folk
Kilclief Castle and the Scandalous Bishop Sely
Kilclief Castle, an old tower-house on the shore of Strangford Lough County Down, is often remembered for a scandalous occupant, Bishop Sely
Products
A Selection of Local Newspaper Adverts 1899 – 1920
A look at old newspaper adverts from 1899-1920. Some are curious to modern eyes, others untrustworthy and many are funny.
Historical Places
Lost Mansions: Purdysburn
The story behind Purdysburn mansion, later to become Belfasts Mental Health and Infectious Diseases hospital.
Places
The Christmas Storm of 1894
On the night of 21st to 22nd December 1894 the north of Ireland was battered by a ferocious storm leaving devastation in its wake.
Historical Places
Antrim Round Tower and the Witch
Round towers are early mediaeval stone towers predominantly found in Ireland. Antrim Round Tower is one of the finest surviving examples.
Forgotten Folk
Forster Green – The ‘Industrious and Humble’ Philanthropist
Forster Green – “It is no exaggeration to say that Belfast sustains one of the heaviest bereavements that has ever befallen it…”
Historical Places
Ballymacarrett Glass – Belfast’s Forgotten Glassworks
While Irelands Waterford Glass and Galway Cut Crystal are celebrated, few remember that Belfast also had famous glassworks at Ballymacarrett
Historical Places
How Fountain Street got its Name
Fountain Street, known once to locals as ‘water street’ was one of the most frequented streets in the town but where were the fountains?
Forgotten Folk
The Last Public Execution in Belfast
On Friday 6th September 1816 John Doe and John Magill were hanged in Castle Place opposite the doors of Belfast’s Bank Buildings.
Historical Places
Park Lodge – A ‘Lost Mansion’ and its Eccentric Builder
The story of Park Lodge – a ‘lost’ Belfast mansion with an eccentric builder, links to Napoleon and an ambitious amphibious craft!
Forgotten Folk
A Belfast Memorial to the Forgotten Dr Thomas Thompson
Belfast’s Dr Thomas Thompson dedicated himself to helping the sick and ailing of the city under the most dangerous of circumstances.