True stories from Belfast and beyond
Despite enduring poor health during his own life, Edward Benn’s charitable donations did much to relieve the suffering of many in Belfast
The Giant’s Causeway Hydroelectric Tramway was the world’s first example of renewable-powered public transport,
January 1876 News – The Great Belfast Donegall Street Fire, Armagh’s Ghostly Resurrection and Love’s Young Dream
Lombard Street, Belfast replaced Legg’s Lane and Caddell’s Entry as a popular business location featuring the Curiosity Shop and Gutta-percha
The picturesque ruins and history of Dunluce Castle “are not surpassed by any on the entire coasts of the British Isles” (McComb’s Guide to Belfast, 1861)
December 1875 News – The Whitewell house fire, Poaching in Balloo, Guidance for Parvenues and Degrees of Drunkenness
Today Academy Street, Belfast is an unremarkable thoroughfare. Its forgotten history has much of interest including an armed student revolt.
Castle Upton – An eventful history including the Knights Hospitaller, the Norton Family, the Upton Family and the Hearts of Steel
November 1875 News – Wife for Sale – Four Pence, the dangers of toy balloons and the Singer with 5 wives
Wilson’s Court is a neglected narrow Belfast alley. It was once such a populous, busy and important thoroughfare!
On 12th June 1889 Ireland suffered its worst ever rail disaster with 80 dead and hundreds injured. A fun excursion ending as a nightmare.
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of October 1875
Portaferry, on the beautiful shore of Strangford Lough is a lovely and exceptionally friendly place to visit.
Robert A Wilson (Barney Maglone) “An able journalist, a gifted poet, a fearless and unflinching advocate for the rights of the people”
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of September 1875
The tale of the ancient hill of Donegore, St John’s Church and its “corpse house”, and the “End of the World”
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of August 1875
The Ghost That Wouldn’t Stay at Home! The story of the Murphy family of County Fermanagh and their haunting by the Cooneen Ghost
The Rev William Bristow is largely forgotten today but his efforts to improve the lives of the Belfast’s poor deserve to be remembered.
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of July1875
York Street – Once “Belfast’s Noblest Street” with a history of commercial success, Blitz devastation , decline and, lately, regeneration