Historical Places
Glenarm Castle – A History
A popular tourist destination, Glenarm Castle has been home to the Earls of Antrim and the McDonnell family for 400 years.
Forgotten Folk
Laura Bell – An Extraordinary Life of two Halves!
Laura Bell was a noted Irish beauty, who led a somewhat flamboyant and notorious life, with an unexpected ‘twist in the tail’!
True Stories
August 1876 – Severe Gales, Theft of Feathers and the Days of Coaches
The news in 1876 – August 1876 – Severe Gales, Theft of Feathers, Injury of Clothes and the Days of Coaches
Historical Places
Groomsport, County Down – Vikings, Wealth, Smuggling and Tragedy
Groomsport, Co. Down, popular with retirees, week-end visitors and sailing enthusiasts , has a history of Vikings, wealth and tragedy.
Historical Places
Queen Street’s Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
Queen Street’s Belfast Hospital for Sick Children opened in April 1879 funded through donations and subscriptions. Today it lies derelict
True Stories
July 1876 News – Custer Massacred, Damaged Manure and a Baby Washer
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of July 1876
People
Edward Bunting – A precious gift of the melodies of our native bards
Edward Bunting was a celebrated musician who gifted us a precious inheritance of the matchless melodies of our native bards…
Places
Marquis Street, Belfast – Let There Be Light!
Marquis Street today is an abandoned thoroughfare, its long history forgotten but it played a surprising part in Belfast’s development.
True Stories
June 1876 News – A Body Found at Clogher and a Car Accident at Meigh
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of June 1876
Places
The House of Correction – Belfast’s terrifying city centre prison
How many walking down Howard Street in Belfast today realise that it once hosted Belfast’s “House of Correction” – a prison to be feared!
Stories
May 1876 News – Blazing Billiard Balls and a Flight to Remember
What was being reported in our local newspapers 150 years ago? Read some of the news & stories of May 1876
Forgotten Folk
Cushendall – A Colourful Village with a Colourful History
Cushendall, County Antrim is a pretty, friendly, colourful and busy village with a colourful history to match.
Historical Places
Church Lane, Belfast – Skeletons, bars and ‘Bullseye Braithwaite’
A small 17th‑century street, Church Lane has an impressive history featuring a myriad of occupants, ghosts, bars and ‘Bullseye Braithwaite’
Places
The Ancient Church of Ardclinis, its Crozier and its Fairy Tree
Travelling along the Antrim Coast Road, the ancient church of Ardclinis (and its Fairy Tree) in a picturesque setting is well worth a visit.
Forgotten Folk
William Sampson – Equality Advocate on both sides of the Atlantic
Lawyer William Sampson dedicated his life to the ideals of democracy and justice both in Ireland and in his subsequent exile in America,
Places
Belfast’s Forgotten Streets and Corners
Belfast has ‘lost’ many quirkily named streets, lanes and alleys over the years, among them Cooney’s Court, Bluebell Entry and Elbow Lane
Stories
The Newtownstewart Murder Trial – An “extraordinary case”
The Newtownstewart Bank Murder Trial – “the most extraordinary case ever tried in this or any other country”
True Stories
February 1876 News – The Courts, Curiosities and the Macabre.
The newspapers of February 1876 covered a range of stories including court proceedings, “babes” in the city and murder at a “Spelling Bee”
Forgotten Folk
Edward Benn – A Tale of Three Belfast Hospitals
Despite enduring poor health during his own life, Edward Benn’s charitable donations did much to relieve the suffering of many in Belfast
Stories
The Giant’s Causeway Hydroelectric Tramway – A World’s First!
The Giant’s Causeway Hydroelectric Tramway was the world’s first example of renewable-powered public transport,
Stories
January 1876 News – The Donegall Place Fire in Belfast
January 1876 News – The Great Belfast Donegall Street Fire, Armagh’s Ghostly Resurrection and Love’s Young Dream