3 facts about belfast castle
This current grand turreted castle was built in 1862 by the 3rd Marquis of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family.The Scottish Baronial architectural style was designed by architect John Lanyon, whose father Charles designed the Palm House in Belfasts Botanic Gardens. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. The Mermaids Cave is located just below Dunluce Castle which is, in reality, a large cavern. [60] The Cavehill Visitor Centre is located inside the castle. Its said the McDonnells covered a bog with rushes and stationed a few men on firm ground, fooling the McQuillans into charging into the bog. Now called The Chapel, the building is part of a new housing development called Donegall Park Gardens, just off Innisfayle Park. Belfast Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Northern Ireland. Belfast is home to many museums that tell its history, culture and daily life. [69][74] This country house was built in the Tudor Revival architectural style and was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison. Former Chapel of the Resurrection on Belfast's Antrim Road up for sale with 1.35 million price tag. By default, all distances on the site are calculated from Belfast City Centre. This castle, in some form or another, has been present for nearly two thousand years of Irish history. Here are 11 facts about this famous collection of ceremonial objects and royal regalia. Construction cost well over the 11,000 set aside to pay for the project, forcing Lord Donegall to seek financial assistance from Baron Ashley (1831-1886), his son-in-law, in order to complete the new castle. Location. This is the location that Lewis states as his inspiration for Cair Paravel in Narnia. [87][106], Harriet, Countess of Shaftesbury (1836-1898), the wife of The 8th Earl of Shaftesbury, later commissioned a sculpture to commemorate her brother, Lord Belfast, and her mother, Harriet, Marchioness of Donegall (1822-1860),[106] the daughter of The 1st Earl of Glengall and the first wife of The 3rd Marquess of Donegall. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. [84], One of the castle's most iconic features is the winding stone staircase on the garden faade, whose greyish-brown colour stands out against the burnt sienna sandstone and brick red detail. Around 1608, Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, built the town of Dunluce next to the castle. It was on holidays along the North Coast, that C S Lewis first set eyes on Dunluce Castle. Orientation Courses are also available within the castle.Belfast Castle, Northern Ireland, by Andrew Hurley, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. [43] This huge estate covered almost all of Inishowen,[44][45] and had been seized by the Crown from the Dochartaigh (O'Doherty) clan in the aftermath of the rebellion of Sir Cathaoir Ruadh Dochartaigh (Sir Cahir Rua O'Doherty), Lord of Inishowen, in 1608. 16 Things Belfast is Known and Famous For 1. Placenamesni.org: Aldfreck, County Antrim. They still own the castle, but now live in Glenarm. In 1611, Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, built a stone and timber castle on the same [6][11][16] Although originally built in either the late twelfth-century or the early thirteenth-century, this castle was 'rebuilt' on several occasions between the 1220s and the 1550s, possibly being 'rebuilt' on the same site or on an adjacent site. One of the beauties of visiting Belfast Castle is theres plenty to see and do once you arrive, with both rainy day activities and hikes and walks on offer. [1] Lord Ashley (who later became The 8th Earl of Shaftesbury) had married Lady Harriet Chichester (1836-1898), the only surviving child of Lord Donegall, in August 1857. On the 24 April 1708, the Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down. It was situated in Belfast city centre on Castle Place. 'Belfast: The hidden castles under the city's shops' (, W.A. WebBelfast Castle is located in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast. Belfast Castle was completed in 1870 but ran well over the intended 11,000 budget so the Marquis son-in-law (later 8th Earl of Shaftesbury) baled him out. Officially it is believed that it was founded in the early 17th century, but people lived here at least 5000 years ago. WebBelfast Castle is open. It includes many archaeological sites, fantastic flora and fauna, and panoramic views. Cavehill Country park contains numerous archaeological and historical features, including Napoleons Nose, which is believed to have been the inspiration for Jonathan Swifts novel Gullivers Travels. You might be able to see the castle in the second and sixth seasons of the show. The castle was designed and built in the Victorian version of the Scots Baronial style. After that, head outside to admire the impressive exterior and the stunning Lough Belfast views. He then ruled as a petty king until 1204 until he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy. Dunluce Castle is in the care of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. [6][10] In July 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester (1563-1625; later created, in 1613, The 1st Baron Chichester), then Governor of Carrickfergus Castle, offered to rebuild Belfast Castle if he was 'granted' Belfast and its surrounding lands by the Crown. On-site amenities include an excellent Visitor Centre, cafe/restaurant, toilets and a Gift Shop. Yes, there is no admission fee for visiting the castle. Northern Irelands capital is bustling with great food spots, as youll discover in our guide to the best restaurants in Belfast. Image by William Miller from Wikimedia. There is currently no charge for parking. Wildlife abounds in the park including sparrow-hawks, long-eared owls and the rare Adoxa moschatellina Town Hall Clock plant. You can also take a bus from Duncairn Yorkgate Station to Carrickfergus 14-22 Larne Road and walk for 8 minutes to reach the castle. The English Crown finally seized Belfast Castle from the U Nill of Clandeboye during the Nine Years' War in the 1590s, when the castle was occupied by English troops. Scots Baronial style was an architectural style that originally developed out of French-inspired Gothic styles during the Renaissance in Scotland in the sixteenth-century. Lord Shaftesbury, his wife Harriet, Countess of Shaftesbury, and her Chichester ancestors are commemorated in the form of Belfast street names, much like how the original castles are remembered.[60][88]. Archaeological evidence suggests humans have been living on Castle Rock since 850 BC. It remained in their hands throughout the fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries, with a few brief exceptions. [21][37][38] The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. The stairs are quite steep and might be slippery during the rainy season. In August 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester received a Kings letter which officially put him in charge of Belfast Castle and its surrounding lands. Below, youll find a handful of things to see and do a stones throw from Belfast Castle (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!). The Victorian structured Castle has a breathtaking view in the lough of the city and is positioned 120 m above sea level. The first Belfast Castle was built in the late 12th century by the Normans in Belfast city. A second castle was constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester, the baron of Belfast, on the same site in the year 1611. find opening hours for the castle at the moment. Designed and built in the Victorian version of theScots Baronial Styleand constructed withpink Scrabo sandstone, the castle is a dream come true. Excavations have revealed the evidence of coins from the times of Charles I and Elizabeth I. Reginalds body was washed ashore the following day but Maeves body was never recovered. The second was the home of Sir Arthur Chichester and was built in 1611, only to burn [6] However, when in Ulster, Lord Chichester, as he later became, usually resided at Joymount House in nearby Carrickfergus rather than at the 'Plantation-era' Belfast Castle. Although a visit to the mighty Belfast Castle is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows thatll make your visit that bit more enjoyable. Edinburgh Castle was built atop an extinct volcano. Homepage, Business Events Belfast and Northern Ireland, Belfast Castle is one of the city's most famous landmarks, Breathtaking views of the city from Cave Hill Country Park, The award-winning Cave Hill Adventurous Playground, Learn about the history at Cave Hill Visitor Centre, Shop in the Victorian-style Castle Antiques area. Belfast Castle is famously used to hold weddings, it is a popular avenue to hold business meetings, tea parties, and occasional dinner meet-ups! Apart from this, the castle is also famous for The Cave Hill Country Park, The Cave Hill Adventurous Playground, The Cave Hill Visitor Centre, and much more! In the aftermath of the Second World War, the chapel and the lands surrounding it were detached from the Belfast Castle Demesne. After his military service was over, he mainly lived in Great Britain, where he was very involved in politics at Westminster. Built in the 12th century by Norman lord John de Courcy, it was used to ward off attacks from the Scots, Irish, English, and French, and also served as a garrison during World War I and an air raid shelter during World War II. This shows that the kitchen did not fall. Basalt rock forms the coastline of this part of Ulster and this castle was mainly built out of local basalt stone, known for its strength and durability. [30] Chichester then placed Belfast Castle and its surrounding settlement under the command of Sir Ralph Lane, the Elizabethan adventurer. [114] The lodge was principally designed and built in the Scots Baronial style, just like Belfast Castle itself, and was constructed for The 3rd Marquess of Donegall in the late 1860s, at the same time as both the castle and the Chapel of the Resurrection. With such an ambitious project, a sub-committee estimated that the minimum possible cost would be 160,000 before considering the cost of employing grounds keepers and the cost of restoring the building. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. This castle has a long and tumultuous history, well worth exploring. Curiously, it was only when he no longer owned Belfast that Lord Donegall became interested in actually living there. 1858- The castle is rebuilt by its original owners 1921- The building, as well as the surrounding 235 acres (95 ha) of adjoining land, is purchased by the newly established Government of Northern Ireland for only 15,000 1921 to 1972- Stormont Castle serves as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland If you have a question that we havent tackled, ask away in the comments section below. The original main entrance into the current demesne was formerly on the Antrim Road itself, where Strathmore Park now meets the Antrim Road. Belfast Castle is located 400 feet (121.92 metres) above sea level on Cave Hill, overlooking Belfast in County Antrim in the east of Ulster. The head of the Donegall family would not live in Belfast again for almost a century, until The 2nd Marquess of Donegall (1769-1844) settled in Belfast in 1802, establishing his main residence there. Lynn, or by Sir Charles's other business partner, his son John Lanyon.[7][83][84][85][86][87]. They were very influential in the city as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1907 and Chancellor of the Queens University in 1908. There are plenty of snacks and drinks available, although the castle is best known for its large-scale catering. For local insights and insiders travel tips that you wont find anywhere else, search any keywords in the top right-hand toolbar on this page. Another way is to take a taxi from Belfast to Belfast Castle, hire a cab or simply walk. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. Maeve Roe had different ideas as her true love was Reginald OCahan. [5][117], Belfast Castle was closed in 1978 for a restoration and refurbishing effort. Belfast Castle was passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. The castle was briefly occupied twice by the forces of The 8th Earl of Kildare, the Lord Deputy of Ireland and the leading Geraldine at the time. Lord Belfast had died in Naples, aged 25, from scarlatina in February 1853. [6][10][11] Originally, a castle had been erected at Bal Feirste (Belfast) by the 1220s, probably to guard the important ford across the River Lagan. [1][80] Thus, she and her husband eventually inherited the castle and the rest of the Donegall family's vast estates in October 1883, upon the death of her father, the 3rd Marquess,[80] while the marquessate was inherited by her elderly uncle, the former Church of Ireland Dean of Raphoe, who became The 4th Marquess of Donegall. [74], Lord Donegall sold off Donegall House in the centre of Belfast in the early 1820s, establishing his main residence at Ormeau House thereafter. It was called Belfast Castle, in a nod to family history, even though it was built on a completely different site from the original castle site, which had been located right in the centre of Belfast. Currently, it is under the possession of the Belfast City Council and open to the public for occasional arrangements or simply a visit! The castle was originally built in 1500 by the McQuillans, who came from Scotland in the 1200s as hired mercenaries and built the castle around 200 years later. Whether you want to learn the history of a city, or you simply need a recommendation for your next meal, Discover Walks Team offers an ever-growing travel encyclopaedia. Once the home of the Donegall family, there have been quite a few Belfast Castles over the centuries. [3][5], While it is open to the public daily, reservations can be made for a private room to host weddings, business meetings, and parties. In the 1980s, Belfast Castle was totally renovated and continues to be a popular centre for conferences, events and weddings. Cave Hill Visitor Centre is on the second floor of Belfast Castle. After three days and nights of feasting and celebrations, the English soldiers accompanying Lord Essex suddenly broke into Belfast Castle and murdered most of the family and retainers of Sir Brian inside the castle. Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Belfast Castleis established in a prominent position ofThe Cave Hill County Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Upon his death, the 8th Earl was succeeded by his then sixteen-year-old son, who now became The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury (1869-1961). Sir Brian, along with his wife and his brother, were arrested by Lord Essex and, later in 1574, all three were executed in Dublin. In the years after it was given to the city, there was some debate about what Belfast Castle should be used for. [9][77][101][103][105] This Church of Ireland chapel was originally designed and built as a mortuary chapel and new mausoleum for the Donegall family, specifically being built as a memorial to Frederick Richard, Earl of Belfast (1827-1853), the son and heir apparent of The 3rd Marquess of Donegall. Maguire, 'Lords and landlords - the Donegall Family' in, Culture Northern Ireland: The Buildings of the Belfast Castle Estate -, Culture Northern Ireland: A History of Carrickfergus -. [115] The Gate Lodge is now occupied by a dental practice, and is located where Strathmore Park meets the Antrim Road. Archaeologists have uncovered the house of a Scottish merchant that was erected in the first part of the 17th century. From ghostly inhabitants to its Cold War past, here are 10 facts you may not have known about this famous fortress. Other items that have been uncovered are gaming pieces, bone combs, a bronze tuning pin, dress fastenings, and wine glass stems. [13][14], By 1333, a small settlement is thought to have developed around the castle at Belfast. What's On The fire destroyed the castle, leaving only street names, such as Castle Place, to mark the location. Sir Brian mac Feidhlimidh Nill was not killed during this massacre. Homepage, Eat & Drink Let there be light: Derelict Belfast church transformed into heavenly homes. The McQuillans held the castle for about 55 years before it was taken by the MacDonnells, who came over from Islay in 1554. [113] It has been described by the architectural historian Dixie Dean as a 'High Victorian Picturesque essay'. In order to allow access to your location, you need to update your site settings through your browser settings to allow this site access to your location. The Girona was a Spanish warship that set sail in May 1588 from Spain. [6][67], Lord Donegall thus had to find an alternative residence for himself and his family. The Chapel of the Resurrection was also built for The 3rd Marquess of Donegall in the late 1860s, at the same time as the new Belfast Castle. Although the reason for its fame Cave Hill Visitor Centre is located in the basement of Belfast Castle. [101] Running the castle became ever more of a financial burden to the Shaftesbury family, especially after what remained of their County Antrim estate was sold off, under the terms of the Land Acts, in the 1890s and the years immediately before 1914. The castle underwent another round of refurbishment in May 2003. The designs for the chapel came out of the office of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. [1][89][90] He also served as: Lord Lieutenant of Belfast from 1904 to 1911; Lord Lieutenant of Antrim from 1911 to 1916; and Chancellor of The Queen's University of Belfast from 1909 to 1923. By 1603, Belfast Castle was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years War. After briefly taking Belfast Castle from Aodh Nill (Hugh O'Neill), Lord of Clandeboye, in 1523, this Lord Kildare reported to King Henry VIII: 'I brake a castell of his, called Belfast, and burned 24 myle of his country [sic]'. Grand Belfast Castle offers panoramic views from its elevated position in Cave Hill Country Park. Newly refurbished, it tells the history of Belfast Castle, the people who lived on Cave Hill and how it got its name. https://visitbelfast.com/partners/belfast-castle-estate-cave-hill-visitor-centre/. Scots Baronial style castles were typically built on asymmetrical plans and included high roofs, towers, and turrets to display the owner's status. [10][15] This original 'Belfast Castle', located on what later became the County Antrim side of the River Lagan, was probably in the area now bounded by Donegall Place, Castle Place, Cornmarket, and Castle Lane in the centre of what is now Belfast City Centre. It may have been built by the Normans, who invaded East Ulster in the late twelfth-century. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. This circular hike is in an anticlockwise direction from the castle car park. Its quite challenging underfoot and steep in places but very rewarding. WebModern History Between 1945 and the 1970s, Belfast Castle was a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas. This original medieval castle was located on the southern bank of the River Farset and was probably used to guard the important ford across the River Lagan. Some architectural historians believe that the chapel, like the castle, was designed by either W.H. There are four ways to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast. In a patent dated 5 November 1603, the Crown granted to Sir Arthur Chichester 'The Castle of Bealfaste or Belfast, with the Appurtenants and Hereditaments, Spiritual and Temporal, situate in the Lower Clandeboye, late in the possession or custody of Sir Ralph Lane Knt., deceased'. Natural Stone Database: Buildings - Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast. The 3rd Marquess would serve at Westminster as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard from February 1848 until February 1852 in the first government of Lord John Russell, while the Great Famine was still ravaging Ireland. [29] Another occasion when Belfast Castle was briefly seized from the U Nill of Clandeboye was in the 1570s, when English forces, initially under the command of The 1st Earl of Essex, occupied the castle for a few years during the short-lived Enterprise of Ulster.[10][21]. [37][38] This event is usually known as the Clandeboye Massacre. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. You have to go down 115 steps to reach the cave. The Clandeboye Massacre Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Wikipedia In October 1574, The 1st Earl It is situated in Cumbria,. The restaurant is open for dinner until 9pm on Thursday to Saturday evenings. No votes so far! He had only succeeded his famous father in the earldom in October 1885. In a battle fought in November 1597 against the MacDonnells at Altfrackyn (also known as Aldfreck), a townland just north of Ballycarry, the English were defeated, with 180 of their soldiers being killed. Youll find everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle below. [6] This branch of the U Nill carved out a tath or Gaelic territory for themselves in South Antrim and North Down which became known as Clann Aedha Budhe (Clandeboye). Marina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). Sorley Boy McDonnell took Dunluce by force from the McQuillans after the Battle of Orla in 1565. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. A formative ruin located on an island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The house has its walls still intact with a fireplace and internal privy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Youll find everything from vegan restaurants and lively spots for bottomless brunch to great places for breakfast in Belfast. Theres a small cafe on the ground floor opening onto the terrace. The 800-year-old Carrickfergus Castle is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. They would lean The Chichester family (later also known as the Donegall family) were to own the town of Belfast from around 1603 up until the early 1850s, when their Belfast estate was largely broken up and sold off. Under the various Land Acts passed by the British Parliament during the 1880s, 1890s and early twentieth century (especially under the Wyndham Land Act of 1903[92][93][94][95]), the huge country estates in Ireland, including those of the Shaftesbury family in Ulster, were broken up and sold off, mainly being sold to the tenant farmers who actually lived on and farmed the land. R.J. Hunter, 'Plantation in Donegal' in William Nolan, Liam Ronayne and Mairead Dunlevy (Editors), Thomas McErlean, 'Chapter 4: The Archaeology and History of. [6][12] These Norman invaders carved out a territory for themselves which was centred on Carrickfergus, this territory later becoming known as the Earldom of Ulster. Donegall House was converted into being The Royal Hotel in 1824. Between 1945 and the 1970s, Belfast Castle was a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas. In 1978, the castle closed as part of a 2 million refurbishment programme, overseen by Hewitt and Haslam Partnership architects. It reopened on 11 November 1988 and is now a popular venue for weddings, business meetings and events. [5] Visitors can see a bedroom, set up in the style of the 1920s, so visitors can see a 'snapshot in time' of what the castle looked like at the end of its life as a private residence. Image by Anna and Piotr Pieszak from Pixabay. The 3rd Marquess of Donegall (1797-1883), in stark contrast to his father, did not spend much of his adult life living in Belfast or anywhere else in Ireland.
