Clifton House Belfast
Description
Clifton House, formerly the Poor House, was built in 1774 by the Belfast Charitable Society and is one of Belfast's most historic buildings.
The Belfast Charitable Society was founded in August 1752 in a tavern called The George Inn on the corner of North Street and John Street, Belfast. The newly formed society was made up of a group of leading Belfast citizens who played a key role in the development of the city and were at the forefront of providing welfare for its people.
The Poor House in Belfast was a safe haven for the poorest and neediest in society. The Belfast Charitable Society were to the fore in providing the essentials such as food and shelter, but they also provided training, education and skills enabling people to escape the cycles of poverty and live independently.
The Belfast Charitable Society would go on to be responsible for the origins of social welfare, funeral services and municipal burial grounds, Belfast's first hospital, the provision of clean water and the creation of a fledgling police service.
Clifton House offer immersive tours of the former Poor House, where you can hear the stories of those who lived in the house in the 18th and 19th century. Clifton House also offer tours of Clifton Street Cemetery, where the great and good of Belfast are buried side by side the poorest of the City. This beautiful Georgian building is also the starting point on the ‘Hero of Belfast: Mary Ann McCracken Walking Tour, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of the remarkable Mary Ann, and hear about her dedication to helping the poor, her radical spirit and her fight against slavery.
To find out more about any of their tours and to book visit: https://cliftonbelfast.com/whats-on/tours/
The Poor House in Belfast was a safe haven for the poorest and neediest in society. The Belfast Charitable Society were to the fore in providing the essentials such as food and shelter, but they also provided training, education and skills enabling people to escape the cycles of poverty and live independently.
The Belfast Charitable Society would go on to be responsible for the origins of social welfare, funeral services and municipal burial grounds, Belfast's first hospital, the provision of clean water and the creation of a fledgling police service.
Clifton House offer immersive tours of the former Poor House, where you can hear the stories of those who lived in the house in the 18th and 19th century. Clifton House also offer tours of Clifton Street Cemetery, where the great and good of Belfast are buried side by side the poorest of the City. This beautiful Georgian building is also the starting point on the ‘Hero of Belfast: Mary Ann McCracken Walking Tour, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of the remarkable Mary Ann, and hear about her dedication to helping the poor, her radical spirit and her fight against slavery.
To find out more about any of their tours and to book visit: https://cliftonbelfast.com/whats-on/tours/
Top Reasons To Visit
- Beautiful Georgian Belfast Building
- Provides a unique insight into the development of Belfast
- Contains a large archive and artefact collection
- One of Belfast's most historic buildings
- Intrinsically linked to the story of Mary Ann McCracken
Contact Details
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