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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 unveils plans for 250th Anniversary Year 

2023-12-13T14:10:34+00:00

Clifton House unveils plans for 250th Anniversary Year Next year Clifton House will mark its 250th year with an exciting 12-month programme of activity, starting in January 2024.  First opening its doors in 1774, Clifton House is the oldest working building in Belfast. It remains the home of Belfast Charitable Society, who fundraised, built it, and managed it from 1774, and who ensure that its uses remain true to the charity’s mission … to look after those in need.       During the annual Clifton House Benn Dinner today (Wednesday 13th December), a long running tradition in itself, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, [...]

Clifton House unveils plans for 250th Anniversary Year 2023-12-13T14:10:34+00:00

Marking the significant contribution of The Barbour Fund

2023-10-30T15:48:04+00:00

Today, Monday 30th October 2023, Belfast Charitable Society marked the end of The Barbour Fund with a special event held in Clifton House. The celebration event brought together members of the Barbour family; Board and staff of Belfast Charitable Society; and representatives of those organisations who, over the last nine years of the Fund, have received grants to carry out projects and activities in north Belfast and Lisburn. The Hilden Society and the Belfast Charitable Society came together to create ‘The Barbour Fund’ in March 2014. Both organisations shared a long and successful history of caring for older people and working [...]

Marking the significant contribution of The Barbour Fund2023-10-30T15:48:04+00:00

Historian Gareth Russell Confirmed for October Lecture

2023-09-06T10:41:38+00:00

We are delighted to confirm that historian and author Dr Gareth Russell will join us in October as part of the President's Talks Series 2023 Gareth has been no stranger to our televisions and radios recently. His most recent book is the non-fiction bestseller, The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of History at Hampton Court. His talk in October is titled 'Olaudah Equiano: Aristocrat, Abolitionist, and Activist'. When best-selling author Olaudah Equiano arrived in Belfast in 1791, his life had already taken him from a childhood in the Benin aristocracy to enslavement on a Virginia tobacco plantation. [...]

Historian Gareth Russell Confirmed for October Lecture2023-09-06T10:41:38+00:00

A Mysterious Medical Chest…

2023-09-06T10:28:26+00:00

At the historic Mulhouse Building at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast (now part of the Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland) can be found a mysterious chest containing medical objects. No-one is sure how it got there. The chest seems to be connected to a local doctor, James McCleery, surgeon to the male side of the Poor House at Clifton House (founded by the Belfast Charitable Society). Read more here: A Mysterious Medical Chest – Epidemic Belfast (epidemic-belfast.com) This is a remarkable find and we very much look forward to displaying some of the items during our 250th anniversary year in 2024. [...]

A Mysterious Medical Chest…2023-09-06T10:28:26+00:00

North Belfast Creative Digital Hub Launches

2023-03-03T09:53:47+00:00

North Belfast grammar school St Malachy’s College has officially launched its new Creative Digital Technology Hub (CDTH) with funding  from the Belfast Charitable Society and The James Kane Foundation. Around 50 guests attended the launch in February including principals and students from neighbouring schools, representatives from our funders, Belfast City Council, local authorities.  The Creative Digital Technology Hub was then officially opened by Sir Ronnie Weatherup, President of Belfast Charitable Society.  He said: “Belfast Charitable Society has been supportive of the Digital Creative Hub from its inception. It’s fantastic to see it open and being so well used by local schools. We saw [...]

North Belfast Creative Digital Hub Launches2023-03-03T09:53:47+00:00

Mary Ann McCracken Post Primary Bursaries in North Belfast launched for a second year

2023-02-07T16:39:46+00:00

For a second year, the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation and Belfast Charitable Society will support a bursary programme for twelve post primary schools in North Belfast. Along with funding partners The James Kane Foundation and Hunter Smyth Fund, each school within the North Belfast Area Learning Community will receive up to £2,000 to support pupils (16+ year-olds) who face financial barriers which may prevent them from continuing to AS / A-Level, further or higher education, employment or apprenticeship. The schools receiving the bursaries will have the flexibility to use the funds in a number of ways to support those pupils who [...]

Mary Ann McCracken Post Primary Bursaries in North Belfast launched for a second year2023-02-07T16:39:46+00:00

New Northern Ireland wide school funding will be a ‘lifeline’ for families

2022-11-24T20:55:51+00:00

New Northern Ireland wide school funding will be a ‘lifeline’ for families The number of people living in poverty across Northern Ireland is rising dramatically as the costs of basic essentials like food and fuel skyrocket. Many are struggling to feed and clothe their families and are at a financial breaking point. David Watters, Chair of the Belfast Charitable Society commented “There is no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis will mean more and more children will be growing up in poverty in Northern Ireland. The evidence of this is already being seen in schools, as increasingly children are arriving hungry and [...]

New Northern Ireland wide school funding will be a ‘lifeline’ for families2022-11-24T20:55:51+00:00
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