The Belfast Charitable Society & the creation of Belfast’s first chemist

 On 3rd July 1792, at a meeting of the Belfast Charitable Society’s General Board, it was resolved to house the dispensary in the Poor House, before it had a building of its own. The Dispensary was successful for a few years but had closed around 1795/6. A meeting was held in 1798 to establish if it should be revived. Property was sought by Henry Joy, Robert Holmes and William Clarke for a new Dispensary and Fever Hospital. Once the new premises were located on Factory Row and operational, an agreement was made that all medicines required by the Poor House Infirmary were to be supplied and paid for by the Dispensary and Fever Hospital. This arrangement was not without its difficulties, but because of the personalities involved and the fact that many of them belonged to both charitable organisations, they were able to smooth out any issues which occurred.

The Belfast Charitable Society were also responsible for helping to establish the Lying-In (Maternity) Hospital, and provided land for Dr Edward Benn to build two hospitals in the latter portion of the 19th century in Glenravel Street. The last Benn Hospital only being demolished when the West Link was constructed.