Celebrating 250 Years of giving to Belfast
On Christmas Eve, 1774, following more than a decade of fundraising, planning and building, Clifton House, formerly the Poor House of Belfast, opened its doors for the first time.
On this particular winter’s day, members of the Belfast Charitable Society met in the Market House (now the Assembly Rooms) and agreed, with ‘immediate effect’, that ‘as many of the Begging poor as the Poor House can at present accommodate be received as soon as possible’ and that ‘as many of the sick poor as can be provided for in the Infirmary be also taken in as soon as possible.’
The house was finally ready, and orders of ‘potatoes and oatmeal and other Provisions’ were to be provided ‘as soon as possible’. The members who met to officially mark the opening of the house, included well known figures Mr Robert Joy, Mr Francis Hamilton, Revd James Bryson, Mr James Carson and Mr William Drennan.
Allegedly sketched on the back of a napkin by local newspaper publisher Robert Joy, Clifton House was built between 1771-1774 on land given to the Belfast Charitable Society by the Marquis of Donegall, Arthur Chichester.
The beautiful Georgian building, at that time sat at the edges of the growing town of Belfast, on a hill for all to see. When it opened, it satisfied the need to care for the poor and infirm. However it was also a statement…a commitment by the Society to continue to provide for the people of the town and city for what has now turned out to be 250 years.
Belfast Charitable Society has been celebrating the significant 250th anniversary of Clifton House since January through a variety of special legacy projects, talks, tours, conferences, exhibitions and social media campaigns which have helped to tell the story of the house throughout its long history.
Professor Alastair Adair CBE, Chair of the Belfast Charitable Society, expanded: “Throughout the year we hosted a number of challenging conversations surrounding poverty, and listened to others including practitioners, academics, and those with lived experience, to find out more about how poverty and disadvantage affect people today. We have gathered much information and which will be used to inform our future plans.”
The final large-scale event of the yearlong programme took place at another significant Christmas event, the annual Benn Dinner, now in its 142nd year.
Professor Alastair Adair CBE, Chair of the Belfast Charitable Society, explained: “This celebratory event, marking the official anniversary of the House, was also continuing the important legacy of George Benn, a renowned local philanthropist, who bequeathed £1,000 in his Will to provide the residents of Clifton House with a Christmas lunch.
“Following his death in 1882, the first Benn Dinner was recorded that same year and it is testament to the Board and Staff of Belfast Charitable Society that it continues to be a key event in our calendar, 142 years later. In recent years, the Society has continued to fund the residents of Clifton House their Christmas lunch and facilitated the Junior Chamber of Commerce to visit with presents.”
Since first opening its doors on Christmas Eve 1774, the archive records are full of stories of giving and generosity, such as the story of George Benn. The following year ‘Mr Waddell Cunningham made a present of some necks & houghs of beef to the poorhouse which the orderly desired Mr Bray to get unpacked.’
On the 21st December 1782 it was noted that ‘Mrs Carrothers is directed to lay out half a crown upon a small entertainment for the children at Christmas as a reward and encouragement for their industry’. And in December 1815 the record books noted that the ‘children had the festival of a tea party’.
Mary Ann McCracken had a huge influence on the house and ensured that the children and the infirm received a sweet bun alongside tea and bread for supper on Christmas Day before retiring to bed.
The building itself has been an iconic sight on the city’s skyline, synonymous with addressing poverty and disadvantage.
Paula Reynolds, Chief Executive of Belfast Charitable Society commented: “This year, as well as reflecting on our long history of philanthropy and social reform, we have also been looking ahead to our future.
“Throughout the year, we have been asking our supporters and followers ‘What should the next 250 years look like’? It has been an extremely busy year for our team but it has made a huge mark on our future plans. More on that to follow, but for now I would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts this year and we look forward to welcoming you through our doors again in 2025”.
