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
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.
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’
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.
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
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.
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?
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
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…
Famous Folk
Banbridge – Pearls, Mail Coaches & the World’s First Flyover!
The story of Banbridge in County Down is memorable for its linen & pearl trades, a historic mail coach and the worlds first flyover!
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
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
Forgotten Folk
The Execution of Rev James Porter
If James Porter had ignored the injustices around him, he would have lived a long comfortable life. Instead he stood by his principles
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.
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
Rathlin Island – An Eventful History, Beautiful Scenery and Puffins!
Rathlin Island, County Antrim is a short ferry journey from Ballycastle and offers a perfect escape from your everyday life.
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 Cave Hill, McArt’s Fort, Games & Thrones, the Sleeping Giant and more
Besides the stunning views from McArt’s Fort over Belfast, the Cave Hill has many other interesting tales to tell…
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…