Telling Our Stories

The Cluster is formed around buildings, but they would not exist without people. We know that buildings are only important because people make them important, and the stories of the people connected to our buildings are what brings our buildings to life.

This project tells the personal story of someone who cares about and loves our buildings. We photographed them and recorded them telling their story of why the building they use, or want to see reused, is important to them. Through this collection of stories we’ll be able to make sure that more people know why north Belfast’s heritage matters to people in the area today.

Our aim is make sure these stories help visitors and the local community understand their local history, told through the stories of local people, celebrating the diversity of backgrounds that make up north Belfast.

Explore some of our people’s stories below.

Our People

A Shot in the Dark: The attempted assassination of Edward Benn
A Shot in the Dark: The attempted assassination of Edward Benn
In Memorium: Symbolisms and Stories in the New Burying Ground.
In Memorium: Symbolisms and Stories in the New Burying Ground.
Heritage Day and History Harvest: Sunday 1st September at Clifton House
Heritage Day and History Harvest: Sunday 1st September at Clifton House
A short life serving others: Dr Andrew G Malcolm
A short life serving others: Dr Andrew G Malcolm
North Belfast’s ‘Forgotten’ Sanatorium: The Throne Children’s Hospital.
North Belfast’s ‘Forgotten’ Sanatorium: The Throne Children’s Hospital.
Loss, Hope and Humility: Forster Green
Loss, Hope and Humility: Forster Green
Fire and Sandstone: William Henry Lynn
Fire and Sandstone: William Henry Lynn
A Photographer for Royalty: John Phillips
A Photographer for Royalty: John Phillips
The Industry Standard- William John Gilliland
The Industry Standard- William John Gilliland
The Mind behind St Malachy’s- Thomas Jackson
The Mind behind St Malachy’s- Thomas Jackson
A Heroine on the Home Front-Blanche Hume OBE
A Heroine on the Home Front-Blanche Hume OBE
“The Golden Chain of Love is Unbroken.” The story of David James Sloan.
“The Golden Chain of Love is Unbroken.” The story of David James Sloan.
From North Belfast to Northern France: The story of James Alexander Graham.
From North Belfast to Northern France: The story of James Alexander Graham.
The founding principles of the North Belfast Working Men’s Club: Camaraderie, Temperance and Industry.
The founding principles of the North Belfast Working Men’s Club: Camaraderie, Temperance and Industry.
“North Belfast Families- Their Stories”: The Condell Brothers
“North Belfast Families- Their Stories”: The Condell Brothers
“North Belfast Families-Their Stories”: The Dornans of Agnes Street.
“North Belfast Families-Their Stories”: The Dornans of Agnes Street.
The Marsh Brothers: Biscuit and Tin manufacturers.
The Marsh Brothers: Biscuit and Tin manufacturers.
Messers Marsh & Co. Donegall Street Biscuit Makers.
Messers Marsh & Co. Donegall Street Biscuit Makers.
Great Place/ Great People: John Hewitt
Great Place/ Great People: John Hewitt
Student Volunteer Week 2022
Student Volunteer Week 2022
Look North: The North Belfast Festival
Look North: The North Belfast Festival
Betty McElnea on Frederick Street Quakers
Betty McElnea on Frederick Street Quakers
Ian Whoriskey on St Patrick’s Church
Ian Whoriskey on St Patrick’s Church
Adrian Fulton on St Malachys
Adrian Fulton on St Malachys
Aaron McIntyre on Clifton Street Cemetery
Aaron McIntyre on Clifton Street Cemetery
Stephen Mcallister on Clifton Street Orange Hall
Stephen Mcallister on Clifton Street Orange Hall
Fr Eugene O’ Neill on St Patricks Church and Parochial House
Fr Eugene O’ Neill on St Patricks Church and Parochial House
Satyavir Singhal on the Indian Community Centre
Satyavir Singhal on the Indian Community Centre
Ronnie Lawrenson on St Anne’s Cathedral
Ronnie Lawrenson on St Anne’s Cathedral
Pauline Cambell on Dunlewey
Pauline Cambell on Dunlewey
Janice Beggs on Carnegie Library
Janice Beggs on Carnegie Library
Eddie Conville on St Marys Parish
Eddie Conville on St Marys Parish
David Armstrong on the Redeemer Central
David Armstrong on the Redeemer Central
Colin Hall Thompson on the North Belfast Working Men’s Club
Colin Hall Thompson on the North Belfast Working Men’s Club
Bill Shaw on 174 Trust Duncairn Complex
Bill Shaw on 174 Trust Duncairn Complex
Bernard Jaffa on Annesley Street Synagogue
Bernard Jaffa on Annesley Street Synagogue
Frances and Sadie on Clifton House
Frances and Sadie on Clifton House

Our Research

A Shot in the Dark: The attempted assassination of Edward Benn
A Shot in the Dark: The attempted assassination of Edward Benn
In Memorium: Symbolisms and Stories in the New Burying Ground.
In Memorium: Symbolisms and Stories in the New Burying Ground.
A short life serving others: Dr Andrew G Malcolm
A short life serving others: Dr Andrew G Malcolm
III. Under Cover of Darkness: Bodysnatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
III. Under Cover of Darkness: Bodysnatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
II. Under Cover of Darkness: Bodysnatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
II. Under Cover of Darkness: Bodysnatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
I. Under Cover of Darkness: Body snatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
I. Under Cover of Darkness: Body snatchers, the Newspapers and the Cadaver trade in 19th Century Belfast.
North Belfast’s ‘Forgotten’ Sanatorium: The Throne Children’s Hospital.
North Belfast’s ‘Forgotten’ Sanatorium: The Throne Children’s Hospital.
Loss, Hope and Humility: Forster Green
Loss, Hope and Humility: Forster Green
Fire and Sandstone: William Henry Lynn
Fire and Sandstone: William Henry Lynn
Clocks, Towers and Titans: A Rivalry in Stone
Clocks, Towers and Titans: A Rivalry in Stone
A Photographer for Royalty: John Phillips
A Photographer for Royalty: John Phillips
The Industry Standard- William John Gilliland
The Industry Standard- William John Gilliland
The Mind behind St Malachy’s- Thomas Jackson
The Mind behind St Malachy’s- Thomas Jackson
A Heroine on the Home Front-Blanche Hume OBE
A Heroine on the Home Front-Blanche Hume OBE
“The Golden Chain of Love is Unbroken.” The story of David James Sloan.
“The Golden Chain of Love is Unbroken.” The story of David James Sloan.
From Rockdale Street to Russia- John McFarland and the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division
From Rockdale Street to Russia- John McFarland and the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division
From North Belfast to Northern France: The story of James Alexander Graham.
From North Belfast to Northern France: The story of James Alexander Graham.
The founding principles of the North Belfast Working Men’s Club: Camaraderie, Temperance and Industry.
The founding principles of the North Belfast Working Men’s Club: Camaraderie, Temperance and Industry.
“North Belfast Families- Their Stories”: The Condell Brothers
“North Belfast Families- Their Stories”: The Condell Brothers
“North Belfast Families-Their Stories”: The Dornans of Agnes Street.
“North Belfast Families-Their Stories”: The Dornans of Agnes Street.
The Marsh Brothers: Biscuit and Tin manufacturers.
The Marsh Brothers: Biscuit and Tin manufacturers.
Messers Marsh & Co. Donegall Street Biscuit Makers.
Messers Marsh & Co. Donegall Street Biscuit Makers.
Donegall Street: Cleanliness next to Godliness
Donegall Street: Cleanliness next to Godliness
The History of Donegall Street Congregational
The History of Donegall Street Congregational
The Founder of Glenravel Street: Edward Benn
The Founder of Glenravel Street: Edward Benn
Sovereign of Belfast: Reverend William Bristow
Sovereign of Belfast: Reverend William Bristow
Great Place/ Great People: John Hewitt
Great Place/ Great People: John Hewitt
Working as an archivist in heritage
Working as an archivist in heritage
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Cemetery
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Cemetery
A Street Through Time: Clifton House
A Street Through Time: Clifton House
A Street Through Time: Belfast Mercantile Academy
A Street Through Time: Belfast Mercantile Academy
A Street Through Time: Skin Hospital
A Street Through Time: Skin Hospital
A Street Through Time: Benn Hospital
A Street Through Time: Benn Hospital
A Street Through Time: No. 7-9
A Street Through Time: No. 7-9
A Street Through Time: No.11-13
A Street Through Time: No.11-13
A Street Through Time: United Presbyterian Church
A Street Through Time: United Presbyterian Church
A Street Through Time: St Enoch’s Shops
A Street Through Time: St Enoch’s Shops
A Street Through Time: St Enoch’s Church
A Street Through Time: St Enoch’s Church
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Shops
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Shops
A Street Through Time: Millar & Co
A Street Through Time: Millar & Co
A Street Though Time: Lying-in-Hospital
A Street Though Time: Lying-in-Hospital
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Presbyterian Church
A Street Through Time: Clifton Street Presbyterian Church
A Street Through Time: Sandes soldiers home
A Street Through Time: Sandes soldiers home
A Street Through Time: Belfast Orange Hall
A Street Through Time: Belfast Orange Hall
A Street Through Time: Indian Community Centre
A Street Through Time: Indian Community Centre
A Street Through Time: Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church
A Street Through Time: Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church
Great Women: Lady Edith Dixon
Great Women: Lady Edith Dixon
Student Volunteer Week 2022
Student Volunteer Week 2022
Look North: The North Belfast Festival
Look North: The North Belfast Festival
Belfast’s Victorian Expansion
Belfast’s Victorian Expansion
Diwali: Celebrating the Festival of Lights
Diwali: Celebrating the Festival of Lights
Quaker Meeting House: An Alternative Christmas
Quaker Meeting House: An Alternative Christmas
GPNB: Advent
GPNB: Advent
Christmas in the Poor House
Christmas in the Poor House
Annesley Street Synagogue: Hanukkah
Annesley Street Synagogue: Hanukkah
St. Anne’s: The Black Santa Sit-Out
St. Anne’s: The Black Santa Sit-Out
Clifton House: The Benn Christmas Dinner
Clifton House: The Benn Christmas Dinner
Philanthropy: Past & Present
Philanthropy: Past & Present
Belfast Blitz Remembered
Belfast Blitz Remembered
The Government of Ireland Act 1920: North Belfast and the Partition of Ireland
The Government of Ireland Act 1920: North Belfast and the Partition of Ireland
Thomas McCabe: Horologist, Abolitionist & Radical
Thomas McCabe: Horologist, Abolitionist & Radical
Belfast Orange Hall: ‘the metropolis of Orangeism’
Belfast Orange Hall: ‘the metropolis of Orangeism’
Quaker Meeting House: Peace, Tolerance and the Troubles
Quaker Meeting House: Peace, Tolerance and the Troubles
St. Mary’s: ‘Undoubtedly one of the most important parishes in Belfast’
St. Mary’s: ‘Undoubtedly one of the most important parishes in Belfast’
‘Clifton Ville’: North Belfast’s first suburb
‘Clifton Ville’: North Belfast’s first suburb
Carnegie: the ‘Patron Saint of Public Libraries’
Carnegie: the ‘Patron Saint of Public Libraries’
The Duncairn: Church, Covenant and Culture
The Duncairn: Church, Covenant and Culture
North Belfast Working Men’s Club: ‘The premier of its kind in Ireland’
North Belfast Working Men’s Club: ‘The premier of its kind in Ireland’
St. Anne’s Cathedral: A Civic Space
St. Anne’s Cathedral: A Civic Space
Clifton House, Belfast Charitable Society, and women workers in industrial Belfast
Clifton House, Belfast Charitable Society, and women workers in industrial Belfast
A ‘Carnival of Diversity’: The Indian Community Centre and the Belfast Mela Festival
A ‘Carnival of Diversity’: The Indian Community Centre and the Belfast Mela Festival
Sir Otto Jaffe: Lord Mayor, linen merchant and philanthropist
Sir Otto Jaffe: Lord Mayor, linen merchant and philanthropist
Donegall Street Congregational: Belfast’s Phoenix Church
Donegall Street Congregational: Belfast’s Phoenix Church
St. Patrick’s Church & ‘Little Italy’
St. Patrick’s Church & ‘Little Italy’
Clifton Street Cemetery: ‘A veritable Westminster Abbey in miniature’
Clifton Street Cemetery: ‘A veritable Westminster Abbey in miniature’
Great Place: Great Women
Great Place: Great Women