Selected Highlights
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
-
Clifton House History Tours
Clifton House, Belfast: Discover the history, hear the stories and immerse yourself in Belfast’s past.
Clifton House has three guided tours that run throughout the year: Clifton House – Experience the Belfast Poor House Tour, includes augmented reality; Hero of Belfast – Mary Ann McCracken Walking Tour; and Clifton Street Cemetery Tour.
Let their trained guides awaken an interest in Belfast’s past, its people and its places.
For tour dates and prices please visit their website: https://cliftonbelfast.com/whats-on/tours/
Group tours can be arranged by contacting 028 9099 7022.
Contact Details
Gallery
You might also like
-
Find Out More
Titanic Belfast AttractionsTitanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see on any visit to Belfast and…
-
Find Out More
Irish FA Tours AttractionsIrish FA Tours
Irish FA Tours tells the unique story of Northern Ireland football from 1880 to present day using a…
-
Find Out More
Out of Office Brewing Eat & DrinkOut of Office Brewing
Out of Office is a micro-brewery and taproom located above the Ulster Sports Club, which is an underground…
-
Find Out More
Pickie Funpark AttractionsPickie Funpark
Pickie Funpark has always been one of Northern Ireland’s top attractions with an 18-hole mini-golf course, giant pedal…
-
Find Out More
Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum AttractionsIrish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum
Explore the rich history of Irish linen through friendly guides, interactive displays, and live spinning and weaving demonstrations.
-
Find Out More
Ark Open Farm AttractionsArk Open Farm
If you enjoy the great outdoors and lots of interaction with animals of all kinds, then the Ark…
-
Find Out More
Whitehead Railway Museum AttractionsWhitehead Railway Museum
Come down and see the home of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) and its locomotives.
-
Find Out More
Cairn Wood AttractionsCairn Wood
In the hilly hinterland of Holywood, this forest offers walks on well marked paths through a mixture of…
