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Over 1,000 people turn out to celebrate 250 years of Clifton House

2024-09-02T15:08:31+00:00

OVER 1,000 PEOPLE TURN OUT TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS OF CLIFTON HOUSE Over 1,000 people come along and mark this impressive milestone of Clifton House and the organisation who built in and who have called it home for 250 years …Belfast Charitable Society. On Sunday 1 September Clifton House opened its house and grounds for a free community event celebrating the 250th anniversary of one of Belfast’s oldest buildings. Heritage Day celebrated the long history of the house and its significant importance in developing and helping the city of Belfast through a day of traditional skills and crafts, live music and food. [...]

Over 1,000 people turn out to celebrate 250 years of Clifton House2024-09-02T15:08:31+00:00

Belfast Charitable Society’s First President: Arthur Chichester, 1st marquess of Donegall

2024-08-14T13:38:11+00:00

Belfast in the late 1750s was entering a critical period in its development. It was still a relatively small town, one of the Ulster plantation’s lesser centres, yet it was growing. A visiting judge in 1759 was so struck by the number of new merchants and traders that he wrote ‘[Belfast] seems to me to be the London of the North of Ireland.’ This was in stark contrast to 1752 (the year in which the Belfast Charitable Society was formed) when the town was in danger of losing its trade as its physical fabric had been deteriorating. It was in this [...]

Belfast Charitable Society’s First President: Arthur Chichester, 1st marquess of Donegall2024-08-14T13:38:11+00:00

Clifton House launch new KS2 Education Resource on the history of North Belfast

2024-06-19T14:33:22+00:00

New Education Resource will delve into the history and development of Belfast Belfast Charitable Society has launched a pioneering education resource for KS2 pupils (P5 – P7) in Northern Ireland, at its home in Clifton House, the former poor house of Belfast today Wednesday 19 June. This unique resource, which has been developed as part of Clifton House’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, will help pupils explore the history of Belfast and its development. Norma Sinte, Chair of the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, explained: “The story of Belfast Charitable Society and its home, Clifton House, is intrinsically linked to the story of Belfast. [...]

Clifton House launch new KS2 Education Resource on the history of North Belfast2024-06-19T14:33:22+00:00

Sell out talk on how the radical women of 18th century Belfast shaped the town

2024-06-19T14:25:14+00:00

How the radical women of 18th century Belfast shaped the town Belfast Charitable Society Presents: ‘Women, Radicalism and Eighteenth-Century Belfast: Mary Ann McCracken and Martha McTier’ This week Belfast Charitable Society explored the influential roles of radical women in eighteenth-century Belfast through a fascinating talk which was delivered by renowned historian Dr Catriona Kennedy, Reader in Modern British and Irish History at the University of York. The talk delved into the lives of Mary Ann McCracken and Martha McTier, two remarkable women whose charitable work allowed them to participate in and influence Belfast's radical public sphere during an era of religious [...]

Sell out talk on how the radical women of 18th century Belfast shaped the town2024-06-19T14:25:14+00:00

Mary Ann McCracken Bursary Programme continues

2024-05-29T09:58:58+00:00

In the wake of the unveiling of the Mary Ann McCracken statue in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, the Foundation, which continues to build on her legacy, has announced a third and final year of bursaries for post primary schools in North Belfast. For the past two years the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation, in conjunction with Belfast Charitable Society, The James Kane Foundation, Hunter Smyth Fund and Raj Darshna, has supported a bursary programme for all twelve post primary schools in North Belfast. This initiative, first launched in February 2022, has gone from strength to strength, as evidence of the [...]

Mary Ann McCracken Bursary Programme continues2024-05-29T09:58:58+00:00

The House and the Hospitals – Glenravel Street

2024-05-13T09:38:21+00:00

The House and the Hospitals - Glenravel Street The presence of the Poorhouse, and the wealth and prestige that was present on the board of the Belfast Charitable Society proved to be a catalysing influence for change in the area. Whilst the Charitable Society directly influenced significant changes through the foundation of the New Burying Ground and the provision of water to Belfast, other entrepreneurs and philanthropists identified the area as one in need of development but filled with potential. One such individual was Edward Benn; a familiar name for followers of the history of Clifton House. The Benn’s history has [...]

The House and the Hospitals – Glenravel Street2024-05-13T09:38:21+00:00

Cheek by Jowl- The History of The New Burying Ground

2024-05-13T09:44:38+00:00

Cheek by Jowl- The History of The New Burying Ground The Belfast Charitable Society has long been improving the living conditions of the less fortunate of Belfast. Their impact can be seen in landmarks in the local landscape. Whilst some of this history has been eroded as the city has evolved, near the old Poor House, now known as Clifton House, one of the Society’s most enduring ventures still exists just off Clifton Street. The New Burying Ground, or Clifton Street Cemetery as it became known was in use for nearly 200 years since its first burial in 1799 before the [...]

Cheek by Jowl- The History of The New Burying Ground2024-05-13T09:44:38+00:00

Belfast Charitable Society and the Provision of Water

2024-05-07T11:30:59+00:00

Belfast Charitable Society and the Provision of Water When Clifton House first opened its doors in 1774 the Belfast Charitable Society was incorporated by an Act of Parliament giving it additional responsibilities that would normally be associated with local government. As well as looking after the poor the Society became responsible for things like street paving, planning permissions, street lighting, and the provision of a water supply. Indeed, it is one of the lesser known stories of Clifton House that we brought piped water to Belfast on a large scale. Since 1682 a water supply had been taken from the Tuck [...]

Belfast Charitable Society and the Provision of Water2024-05-07T11:30:59+00:00

Calling all food and craft traders

2024-05-22T19:26:36+00:00

Calling all food and craft traders On Sunday 1st September, Clifton House, and its grounds, will be open to the public for a Heritage Skills Event. As part of our 250th anniversary celebrations, this flagship event will host fun interactive heritage skills workshops and demonstrations; a chance to hear more about the history of the house; food and entertainment and an oral history capture. As part of this event, we will be offering pitches to local crafters and food vendors. If you are interested in being part of this exciting community event, please apply using the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/CliftonHouseTraderApp  

Calling all food and craft traders2024-05-22T19:26:36+00:00

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

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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