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Yearly Archives: 2024

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Medical History of the Poorhouse

2024-04-09T09:20:38+00:00

Medical History of the Poorhouse From the very beginning of the poorhouse, Belfast Charitable Society was a pioneering force for medical innovation in Belfast. As poverty and sickness are inextricably linked, the Society needed to be able to care for the sick poor who would enter the house.  Before the involvement of the Society, medical relief for the poor in Belfast was practically non-existent and extremely limited. When Clifton House first opened in 1774, it contained seven beds for the sick. These beds mark the beginning of Belfast’s hospitals, and the Society’s first medical report noted the treatment of five patients. [...]

Medical History of the Poorhouse2024-04-09T09:20:38+00:00

Belfast Charitable Society highlights the challenges facing refugees today

2024-03-25T12:36:39+00:00

Now in its 250th year, Clifton House, home of Belfast Charitable Society (BCS) and the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, has chosen this milestone to host challenging conversations around poverty and disadvantage. In its long history, Clifton House has witnessed many changes and developments Sadly, however, the issues surrounding poverty remain the same. Across the UK many vulnerable groups are experiencing disadvantage. During the month of March, BCS and the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation want to highlight the challenges refugees and asylum seekers currently face, particularly women and girls. The audience listened while Vicky Tennant, the UNHCR Representative to the UK, spoke [...]

Belfast Charitable Society highlights the challenges facing refugees today2024-03-25T12:36:39+00:00

The catastrophic consequences of cuts in Education discussed at Clifton House

2024-02-29T16:35:51+00:00

“Catastrophic”; “Detrimental”; “Widening attainment gaps”; “Neglect”; “Disrepair”; “Breaking point”. These words echoed around the historic walls of Clifton House time and time again last Friday, 23rd February, during a stark but informative conference on ‘The immediate and long-term impacts of cuts on North Belfast’s education sector’. This event, which formed part of Clifton House’s 250th Anniversary programme, looked at the current state of education in North Belfast; how schools are dealing with unprecedented levels of poverty; and the terrifying predictions recent cuts will have, longer-term, on an education system already under pressure. Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, Ulster University, opened the talks and set the [...]

The catastrophic consequences of cuts in Education discussed at Clifton House2024-02-29T16:35:51+00:00

AUDIO: Clifton House and Its Early Development, with Marcus Patton

2024-01-26T10:47:14+00:00

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 [...]

AUDIO: Clifton House and Its Early Development, with Marcus Patton2024-01-26T10:47:14+00:00

“Made of Belfast”- 250 years of the Belfast Poorhouse

2024-01-10T11:25:38+00:00

“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 [...]

“Made of Belfast”- 250 years of the Belfast Poorhouse2024-01-10T11:25:38+00:00

President of Belfast Charitable Society officially introduces start of 250th Anniversary

2024-01-02T20:18:26+00:00

President of Belfast Charitable Society officially introduces start of 250th Anniversary 2024 is an important year for Clifton House with an exciting 12-month programme of activity, starting in January 2024, which includes a variety of special legacy projects, talks, tours, conferences, exhibitions and social media campaigns which will all help to tell the story of Clifton House throughout its 250 years! The charity will also use the anniversary to bring others together to talk about the reality of poverty and disadvantage today – with an aim to answer the question ‘What would Belfast Charitable Society need to ‘build’ in 2024 to [...]

President of Belfast Charitable Society officially introduces start of 250th Anniversary2024-01-02T20:18:26+00:00

Clifton House

  • Address
    2 North Queen Street, Belfast,
    Antrim BT15 1ES

  • 028 9099 7022
  • info@cliftonbelfast.org.uk
  • Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 4.30 PM

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