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.
Places of interest in Belfast and the neighbouring counties
The story of Fortwilliam Park from it’s earliest times featuring a past fort, it’s wealthy merchants and a famous actress.
Stories of the life and exploits of County Tyrone’s cunning outlaw, ‘Toothless’ Shane Bernagh remain popular today.
The tale of the ancient Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus and its tumultuous past including an ill-fated romance and ghostly inhabitants
The history of Bangor Castle on the site of the earlier Abbey which was once renowned as ‘The Light of the World’
The Abbey at Whiteabbey has undergone several major transformations in its time but now lies derelict, another lost mansion.
Today it is hard to imagine the grandeur of 19th century Victoria Street, once central to Belfast commerce. A few notable buildings remain.
Glynn, from the Irish ‘glean’ meaning ‘the valley’ is a small picturesque village in County Antrim in the barony of Lower Belfast.
The story of two famous Belfast restaurants – The Carlton Restaurant in Donegall Place and Café and the Lombard Café in Lombard Street.
Kilclief Castle, an old tower-house on the shore of Strangford Lough County Down, is often remembered for a scandalous occupant, Bishop Sely
The story behind Purdysburn mansion, later to become Belfasts Mental Health and Infectious Diseases hospital.
On the night of 21st to 22nd December 1894 the north of Ireland was battered by a ferocious storm leaving devastation in its wake.
Round towers are early mediaeval stone towers predominantly found in Ireland. Antrim Round Tower is one of the finest surviving examples.
While Irelands Waterford Glass and Galway Cut Crystal are celebrated, few remember that Belfast also had famous glassworks at Ballymacarrett
Fountain Street, known once to locals as ‘water street’ was one of the most frequented streets in the town but where were the fountains?
The story of Park Lodge – a ‘lost’ Belfast mansion with an eccentric builder, links to Napoleon and an ambitious amphibious craft!
Originally known as Donegall House, the Royal Hotel in Donegall Place became known throughout Europe as a superb hotel for wealthy travellers.
The Hearts of Steel held sway over large areas of rural Ulster from 1770-1772 with many later playing a role in the US War of Independence.
The story of a ‘lost’ Belfast mansion, the Grove, with a fascinating history. Its gardens and lands are now a recreational park.
Greyabbey Village, just 15 miles from Belfast, is home to quaint houses, antiques shops and, most importantly, its spectacular historic Abbey.
On Monday 20th January 1902, a section of the Smithfield Flax Spinning and Weaving Mill collapsed killing 14 and maiming many.
Royal Avenue has existed from the 17th century but not as the broad commercial thoroughfare we know today. Read it’s colourful history…