Mary Ann McCracken (1770 – 1866) was a remarkable woman who, throughout her life, fought for the rights of the poor and disadvantaged in her hometown of Belfast and further afield. Her life is inextricably linked to the Belfast Poor House.
Mary Ann was just six years old when she first visited the Belfast Poor House. From that day on she worked tirelessly to support and uplift the poor, and her influence within the house left a legacy that can still be felt today.
Mary Ann’s Poor House Tales is a 30-minute self-guided audio and AR tour experience of Clifton House, during which you will hear all about her work and endeavours, her family, and the people who shaped her journey. You will also learn about some of the people who Mary Ann helped and supported; residents of the Poor House whose stories deserve to be told. As you listen to these stories and explore the house, you will stroll through the same hallways that Mary Ann walked every day.
This tour experience includes augmented reality (AR), bringing Mary Ann’s Poor House tales to life. Glimpse into the nursery school, set up by her and the Ladies Committee; see into the basement, where Mary Ann ensured women and children learnt a skill and trade to escape poverty; and gaze out the window into 18th Century Belfast, and spot the ships masts as Mary Ann would have seen as a child.
Please note: Clifton House remains a working building, hosting conferences, talks, and events in addition to tours. For this reason, availability for self-guided tours will change on a weekly basis. We recommend checking in advance to confirm available tour times and make your booking.
This new experience has been funded by Belfast City Council and Belfast Charitable Society.
Further Information
- Free App Download: Mary Ann’s Poor House Tales self-guided tour makes use of a free app, downloadable from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Clifton House has devices available to use with the App, however if you prefer to use your own mobile, please download the app in advance of your visit. Please note that there are sometimes compatibility issues with older devices, but rest assured we will be able to provide a device and headsets on your arrival if the app fails to download on your own mobile.
- ·Audio-Only Tour: Please note that the tour currently includes audio only and does not feature subtitles or BSL/ISL interpretation.
- Available Languages: The audio is available in English, Irish, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.
- Headphones: Headphones are available to borrow at Clifton House. However, if you prefer to use your own device to experience the tour, we encourage visitors to bring their own earphones also, to avoid any compatibility issues.
- Tour Route: The self-guided tour takes place entirely on the ground floor of Clifton House and does not include access to our historic Board Room. To explore more of our history and visit Belfast’s most historic room, consider joining one of our fully guided tours led by our expert volunteers.
- Parking: Free onsite parking is available at Clifton House.
- Accessibility: Please inform us at least two days in advance of any accessibility requirements. While there are steps at the entrance, alternative arrangements can be made with prior notice.
- Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled tour start time.
