Places
The Cave Hill Diamond
The legend of the diamond that could be seen glittering in the sunlight on the high slopes of the Cave Hill overlooking Belfast. What was it?
Places
Places of interest in Belfast and the neighbouring counties
Places
The Albert Memorial Clock – The leaning clock tower of Belfast
Belfast’s Albert Clock was constructed in 1869, in Queen’s Square, to commemorate Queen Victoria’s late husband Albert who died in 1861.
Places
Belfast’s “Big Fish” – the Salmon of Knowledge
The Arts Council of N.I. commissioned “The Salmon of Knowledge” (AKA ‘the Big Fish’) to celebrate the regeneration of the Lagan River.
Historical Places
From Capello de Vado 1306AD to St George’s Church, Belfast
St George’s Church is a place of peace within Belfast’s city centre that visitors cherish, on a site used for worship since Capello de Vado
Historical Places
Carrickfergus Castle – A brief history
Carrickfergus Castle is named for Fergus Mór, King of Dalriada (Dál Riata). His kingdom covered areas of north-east Ulster & western Scotland
Forgotten Folk
Francis Calder – The Calder Fountain Memorial
Francis Calder – Founder of the Belfast Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . Calder Memorial Fountain erected 1859.
Historical Places
Belfast Castle, Cave Hill, Belfast
The first Belfast Castle was built by the Normans in Belfast city centre in the late 12th century. A second castle, made of stone and timber, was later constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, on the same site in 1611. This castle was subsequently destroyed with no existing traces outside Read more…
Historical Places
WW2 Normandy – Utah Beach
WW2 Normandy and Utah Beach may be an unusual setting for Belfast Entries but we thought it would be worthwhile following up on Operation Overlord and deployment of some of those American troops based in Northern Ireland during World War 2 We’ve previously looked at the history of Brownlow House Read more…
Historical Places
Brownlow HQ – Remembering World War 2
We’ve previously looked at the wider history of Brownlow House, Lurgan and mentioned its role as the Headquarters of American troops stationed in Northern Ireland during World War 2. With the opening of the Brownlow HQ WW2 Exhibition in the basement of Brownlow House it is worthwhile visiting to learn Read more…
Historical Places
Brownlow House Lurgan – A house, a dog & World War 2
This striking mansion, also known as Brownlow Castle & Lurgan Castle, has an impressive history with Word War 1 and 2 connections.
Historical Places
Not On Today’s High Street
If you walked along Belfast’s streets a hundred years ago, you would have encountered a very different range of merchandise for sale.
Historical Places
Friar’s Bush Graveyard – A Fascinating History
Friar’s Bush is Belfast’s oldest Christian burial site. The oldest legible headstone is of a Thomas Gibson who died in 1717.
Forgotten Folk
Otto Jaffe – Belfast’s First Jewish Lord Mayor
Through his hard work and entrepreneurial skills, Otto Jaffe was one of the leading merchants responsible for the boom in the linen industry in Belfast.
Historical Places
Clifton House – Belfast’s Poor House
A history of Clifton House which opened on 17th September 1774 by the Belfast Charitable Society.
Famous Folk
Thomas Andrews – A Titanic story
Telegram – Interview with the Titanic officers. All unanimous that Thomas Andrews died a heroic death, thinking only of others safety.
Belfast Streets
Belfast Streets with a Military Connection
A number of our streets in Belfast are named after famous historical figures or battles. Here are just a few.
Belfast Streets
Belfast Streets at the races
Horse racing has always been popular in Ireland. Did you know that a number of our Belfast streets are named after horses?
Belfast Streets
Squeeze Gut Entry and other old Belfast street names
Crooked Lane This was a narrow street with a distinct ‘kink’ in its layout. It runs from Castle Street to Berry Street. With the opening of St. Mary’s, the first Catholic Church in Belfast in 1784, the street became known as Chapel Lane. Gooseberry Corner Gooseberry Corner off Claremont Street Read more…
Places
Belfast Street Art – Transforming City Streets
Street Art has long featured on Northern Ireland walls. Now Belfast city centre has been enhanced with a range of sensational street paintings