Monthly Archives: January 2024

AUDIO: Clifton House and Its Early Development, with Marcus Patton This year marks 250 years since Clifton House first opened its doors as a Poorhouse in 1774 which makes it the oldest working building in Belfast. To celebrate this milestone anniversary we will produce a brand new short series of audio recordings which will explore various themes across the year. In keeping with January’s theme, then, the first of these recordings we have taken a closer look at the early development and architecture of Clifton House in the context of the growing town of Belfast. With me I had James Cromey [...]

“Made of Belfast”- 250 years of the Belfast Poorhouse Allegedly sketched on the back of a napkin by local newspaper publisher Robert Joy and brought into reality by architects Thomas Cooley and Robert Mylne, Clifton house was built between 1771-1774 on land given to the Belfast Charitable Society by the Marquis of Donegall, Arthur Chichester. Not only did the house offer respite to the poor of Belfast and become a shelter for the sick and infirm, but it also became a home for the Belfast Charitable Society for nearly 250 years. Within its walls, meetings helped shape the course of the [...]