Events for September 21, 2025 - September 21, 2025

This Halloween week Clifton House are hosting virtual online talks exploring the ‘darker side’ of Clifton Street Cemetery. Opened in 1797 as the ‘New Burying Ground’ there are many tales to be told here. This talk focuses on the ‘darker side’ of the graveyard’s history- from the infamous body snatchers which plagued the cemetery in its opening decades and the drastic actions taken to curb this lucrative trade, to the burial of murder victims, tragic deaths and hangings! As this talk touches on some adult themes parental discretion is advised. Please contact us for further information. This virtual live talk will [...]

This Halloween week Clifton House are hosting virtual online talks exploring the 'darker side' of Clifton Street Cemetery. Opened in 1797 as the ‘New Burying Ground’ there are many tales to be told here. This talk focuses on the ‘darker side’ of the graveyard’s history- from the infamous body snatchers which plagued the cemetery in its opening decades and the drastic actions taken to curb this lucrative trade, to the burial of murder victims, tragic deaths and hangings! As this talk touches on some adult themes parental discretion is advised. Please contact us for further information. This virtual live talk will [...]

This Halloween week Clifton House are hosting virtual online talks exploring the ‘darker side’ of Clifton Street Cemetery. Opened in 1797 as the ‘New Burying Ground’ there are many tales to be told here. This talk focuses on the ‘darker side’ of the graveyard’s history- from the infamous body snatchers which plagued the cemetery in its opening decades and the drastic actions taken to curb this lucrative trade, to the burial of murder victims, tragic deaths and hangings! As this talk touches on some adult themes parental discretion is advised. Please contact us for further information. This virtual live talk will [...]

The Reconciliation Fund supported Autumn Talk Series has now been finalised in conjunction with Dr Eamon Phoenix and other noted historians. The lectures will be via Zoom live from Clifton House on Thursday evenings at 7pm, commencing 5th November. Each lecture will last approximately 45 minutes followed by a Q&A session. 5th Nov | From Radical Hotbed to the Age of Riots: Belfast 1775-1886 | Dr Éamon Phoenix 12th Nov | The Dawning of public and mental healthcare in 19th century Belfast | Dr Michael Doherty 19th Nov | Leaders and Shapers of the Victorian City | Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick (QUB) [...]

Explore the medical history of the Poor House as recorded in our archives, from the different medical establishments we supported, to the patients and the doctors who treated them. The talk will examine the Poor House response to the epidemics of the 19th century and will include the biographies of key medical professionals associated with Clifton House, from Dr William Drennan, through to the 1798 American exile Dr White and the Purdon medical dynasty. This virtual live talk will be facilitated by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers using Zoom. Numbers for these hour-long sessions will be limited to allow for Q&A [...]

Many of you will know about the key figures of Belfast who are buried in Clifton Street Cemetery including the activist, abolitionist and reformer, Mary Ann McCracken, and the founder of the United Irishmen, Dr William Drennan. However, this talk will delve into the burial registers of Clifton Street Cemetery to explore the equally fascinating lives of the ‘lesser spotted graves’ of Clifton Street Cemetery including a French prisoner of war turned barber! This virtual live talk will be facilitated by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers using Zoom. Numbers for these hour-long sessions will be limited to 30, to allow for [...]

This year marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of the philanthropist, abolitionist and activist, Mary Ann McCracken. This talk explores her life and times and touches on some of the activities of this remarkable woman with a special focus on her work in the Poor House. This virtual live talk will be facilitated by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers using Zoom. Numbers for these hour-long sessions will be limited to allow for Q&A sessions at the end. The Meeting ID to join the online tour will be sent out the morning of the talk. Clifton House is the social enterprise [...]