#Great Place North Belfast

Welcome to the fourth and final part of our November Remembrance series 2023. For this story, we return to Belfast to highlight the efforts of civilians on the Home Front and in particular a pioneering woman in Belfast’s rich history. In this piece we look at Blanche Hume; someone who overcame personal tragedy to become […]

The final soldier we are covering in this research piece is David James Sloan. Born 17th March 1891 to John Sloan and Isabella Hunter, the family lived in Moscow Street on the Shankill Road. Isabella would pass away from acute phthisis (tuberculosis) in 1893, with John later remarrying in 1894 to Agnes Spence . David […]

by Katy | Nov 21, 2023 | Uncategorized | 0 comments This is part 2 of our November Remembrance Series where we share the stories of people connected to the North Belfast Heritage Cluster who were also part of the war effort during WW1. This story comes from Clifton Street Orange Hall. The Orange Hall has memorabilia and artefacts from Lodges across […]

This weekend, North Belfast Working Men’s Club is playing host to the inaugural European Trophy Competition for World Inclusio ParaDarts and World Para Darts. The four-day event, that has been spearheaded by Tommy Dillon (founder of the Northern Ireland Disability Darts Association – NIDDA) was formally opened today by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ryan […]

Honouring those who have been memorialised on the Redeemer Central War Memorial Organ Welcome to Part 1 of our November Remembrance Series where we share the stories of people connected to the North Belfast Heritage Cluster who were also part of the war effort during WW1. Born in Marine Street, near York Street on 22nd […]

The Victorian era was a period of significant social change in Britain. The influx of workers coming to industrial hubs to work in the factories and mills saw increasing friction between the various classes. This was in large part due to the different ways of life and ideologies that were prevalent in the various communities […]

In March 2023 we posted about the history of Donegal Congregational Church. Whilst much of this work was completed using British newspaper archives and academic sources, the research was aided in the discovery of several old drawings of the site, depicting the church in its various stages. These drawings proved a great asset in our […]

Discovered in the bottom of a chicken coop by Father O’Niell, these tiles are the work of local artist Daniel Ignatius Braniff. DI Braniff was a stained glass artist, and examples of his work exist in St Patrick’s, St Stephen’s, Millfield and Belfast City Hall. Whilst incomplete, they are a great example of the work […]

Subject to funding approval, we have two fantastic job opportunities available to work with us on the heritage regeneration project ‘Great Place North Belfast.’ Both post holders will work alongside the members of North Belfast Heritage Cluster and partner organisations for the duration of the four and a half year project. To apply, see relevant […]

Last week, we looked at the Dornan family from Agnes Street. Their names appeared in the roll and register books for the Loyal Orange Lodge 1890. This lodge was originally chosen for research as there was a corresponding Roll of Honour displayed on the wall inside Belfast Orange Hall, remembering members who fought during the […]

As part of the Great Place North Belfast project the archive co-ordinator has been conducting genealogical research using archival material from members of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster. During the transcription of a roll and register, one family in particular stood out. This was the Dornan brothers, Samuel, William and George, who lived at 114 […]

Industrial heritage has often been focused on mechanical advancements, many of which acted as important cogs in British industry, and revolutionised how objects were made. Whilst the focus on machines of the industrial revolution is important, it often comes at the expense of the men, and women, behind the machines. Even when history focuses on […]

North Belfast was once a place of proud industrial heritage however its history and identity has been eroded and erased through years of conflict and urban decay. The rubble strewn site at 140 Donegall Street is representative of this. Once an area of affluence, industry and worship, Donegall Street’s downturn in fortunes is symbolised by […]

The Donegall Street Bathhouse. Whilst the churches of north Belfast still pierce the skyline, as they have for centuries, the buildings which have surrounded them during their life have continuously changed with the times. Many old buildings still stand on Donegall Street, while others have been demolished. Progress and renewal is a key part of […]

At the turn of the 20th century, one could argue that the stretch of road between Carlisle Circus and Donegall Street represented the religious heart of Belfast. At one end, the imposing façade of St Anne’s, whilst the two spires of St Enoch’s and Carlisle Memorial towered over the city at the other.[1] The skyline […]

The North Belfast Heritage Cluster, a collection of 15 heritage sites across a one-mile radius, is unique in its authenticity and diversity. Through a four-year project, Great Place North Belfast (2018 – 2022), the Cluster saw the growing and important role in representing the stories of Belfast’s development; gaining more prominence and awareness as major […]

Last week (24th February) cluster member St. Malachy’s College officially launched the North Belfast Creative Digital Hub. 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 […]

What a year! Today is officially the last day of our fourth year of this amazing project of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster. Through Great Place North Belfast, members of the Cluster, all fourteen of them, have been working hard to deliver and support regeneration using the unique built heritage and authentic character of this […]

Edward Benn was born in County Armagh in 1798 but attended school in the Belfast Academy on Cliftonville Road. After moving to Downpatrick, Co Down, himself and his brother George operated a successful brewing business in the town. Testament to the success of the business was their later moving to the expansive Glenravel Estate outside […]