Historical Places
The Ghosts of St George’s – The Cemetery of Forgotten Souls
The story of the ‘forgotten cemetery’ at St George’s Church, Belfast and the fate of the dead beneath our streets
True Stories
True stories from Belfast and beyond
Historical Places
St Cedma’s – A Colourful Church with a Thousand Year History
St Cedma’s Church, a thousand years of history, and an abundance of stained glass windows – each with a story to tell
Historical Places
Belfast’s Market House, the Town Hall and the 1798 Rebellion
Belfast’s First Town Hall “A Rate made and agreed uppon by the Sovraigne and Burgesses the 12th day of October 1639 for the fittinge of the Towne Hall with p’titiones bench and a Barr & other necessaryes for the use of the Courts” This is the first mention of a Read more…
Historical Places
Castle Ward – A Most Extraordinary Mansion
Castle Ward: When a husband and wife vehemently disagreed on the ‘look’ of their planned mansion, they came to an unusual compromise.
Forgotten Folk
1915: The Murder of William Quinn – Tried, Tried and Tried Again!
In 1915 the murder of a young man, William Quinn, in Newtownards and the subsequent prosecution gripped the public imagination.
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.
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
‘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.
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
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.
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.