Historical Places
Lost Mansions: Purdysburn
The story behind Purdysburn mansion, later to become Belfasts Mental Health and Infectious Diseases hospital.
True Stories
True stories from Belfast and beyond
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.
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
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!
Historical Places
Royal Hotel – ‘The most excellent hotel’ in Belfast
Originally known as Donegall House, the Royal Hotel in Donegall Place became known throughout Europe as a superb hotel for wealthy travellers.
Forgotten Folk
Who were the Hearts of Steel?
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.
Historical Places
Lost Mansions: The Grove, Belfast
The story of a ‘lost’ Belfast mansion, the Grove, with a fascinating history. Its gardens and lands are now a recreational park.
Historical Places
The Smithfield Mill Disaster, 20th January 1902
On Monday 20th January 1902, a section of the Smithfield Flax Spinning and Weaving Mill collapsed killing 14 and maiming many.
Advice & Rules
WW2 – Pocket Guide for Visiting American GIs
American soldiers, stationed in or passing through Northern Ireland during WW2 were provided with a Pocket Guide to Northern Ireland
Forgotten Folk
Movilla Abbey: International Fame & a Copyright Case
Movilla Abbey’s ruins offer no clues to the fame and importance once attached to this ancient site and its world’s first Copyright Dispute
Forgotten Folk
Redmond O’Hanlon – A formidable 17th Century Outlaw
Redmond O’Hanlon (Reamonn O’hAnluain) was probably the most successful outlaw in Ireland in the seventeenth century.
Famous Folk
Half-hung McNaughten – A Victim or a Villain?
McNaughten’s true tale has everything – a charming rogue a beautiful young lady, a marriage denied leading to death and punishment.
Places
WW2 – The US Flying Fortress Crash on the Cave Hill
On 1st June 1944, en route to assist the Allies, a US B-17 Plane crashed into the Cave Hill in north Belfast.
Historical Places
Killyleagh Castle – Vikings, Sieges, a Ghost and a Suspicious Death
Killyleagh Castle dates back to 1180 with a stormy history involving Vikings, sieges, wars, suspicious deaths, divided houses and ghostly sightings.
Forgotten Folk
The Mystery of the Cave Hill Ghost
Reported initially in 1913, the Cave Hill ghost proved a mystery and a source of fascination for years. What was the ghosts tale?
Historical Places
Hy Brasil – The True Story of a Mythical Island
An island off the coast of Ireland – seen by many over a thousand years until it vanished only to reappear every 7 years
Historical Places
Loughareema – The Vanishing Lake
Loughareema – Now you see it now you don’t! Location Not far from the bustling seaside resort of Ballycastle in County Antrim is the beautiful lake of Loughareema. Some days the lake appears full of clear glistening water however, at other times it is a barren muddy basin, thus earning Read more…
Historical Places
The Opening of St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast
St Peter’s Church On 29th June 1986, St Peter’s Church in the lower Falls district of west Belfast, was officially designated the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Down and Connor. The church had opened on 14th October 1866, with its iconic twin spires being added 20 years later. Over Read more…
Historical Places
Kinbane Castle – A Hidden Gem on County Antrim’s Coast
Kinbane Castle, County Antrim, stands on a rocky promontory jutting out into the wild Atlantic Ocean in a magnificent setting.
