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.
Historical Places
Carrickfergus and its Ancient Inn with a Spooky Past – Dobbins Inn
The tale of the ancient Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus and its tumultuous past including an ill-fated romance and ghostly inhabitants
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.
Historical Places
The Glynn and The Luck of the Irish
Glynn, from the Irish ‘glean’ meaning ‘the valley’ is a small picturesque village in County Antrim in the barony of Lower Belfast.
Historical Places
Belfast Restaurant Memories – The Carlton and the Lombard
The story of two famous Belfast restaurants – The Carlton Restaurant in Donegall Place and Café and the Lombard Café in Lombard Street.
Historical Places
Antrim Round Tower and the Witch
Round towers are early mediaeval stone towers predominantly found in Ireland. Antrim Round Tower is one of the finest surviving examples.
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
How Fountain Street got its Name
Fountain Street, known once to locals as ‘water street’ was one of the most frequented streets in the town but where were the fountains?
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!
Forgotten Folk
A Belfast Memorial to the Forgotten Dr Thomas Thompson
Belfast’s Dr Thomas Thompson dedicated himself to helping the sick and ailing of the city under the most dangerous of circumstances.
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.
Historical Places
From Hercules Lane to Royal Avenue, Belfast
Royal Avenue has existed from the 17th century but not as the broad commercial thoroughfare we know today. Read it’s colourful history…
Places
A Belfast Christmas Walk 2022
A walk around Belfast in the run up to Christmas with photos of the city centre, the Christmas Market, Laganside views and Botanic Gardens
Historical Places
The Story of Belfast’s Very Beautiful Warehouse
The story of the Belfast Warehouse described by Oscar Wilde as “beautiful in colour, and very beautiful in design”
Historical Places
Winecellar Entry and its Historic Tavern
The story of Winecellar Entry from its earliest incarnation as Bigart’s Alley to the entry of today, best known for its historic tavern.
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.