3 facts about belfast castle

[30] Chichester reported back to his superiors that his forces had retaken the castle 'without anie loss to us, and put those wee found in yt to the sworde [sic]'. Situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle is a short 20 Marina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). [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. The first castle at Dunluce was built in the 13th century by Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. [63] This 'Plantation' castle had almost certainly been built on, or very near, the site of the 'Norman' Belfast Castle, which was the original medieval castle. This myth led to the creation of the Cat Garden right next to the stately pile on the slopes of Cave Hill. The castle we see today was built in Scottish Baronial style, and the construction was completed in 1870. Martina O'Donnell, 'Settlement and Society in the Barony of East Inishowen. Though the castle had to close down for a few years and reopened in 1988, it is now a renowned venue to host Weddings, Business Meetings, and similar events. [113] It has been described by the architectural historian Dixie Dean as a 'High Victorian Picturesque essay'. 23 The castle had its own gallows. Instead, Sir Brian, along with his wife and his brother, were arrested by Lord Essex and, later in 1574, all three were executed in Dublin. Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Belfast Castleis established in a prominent position ofThe Cave Hill County Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. One of its most iconic features is thegreyish-brown winding stone staircase on the garden faade, which is a present photo booth for newlyweds! The castle was then seized by Essex and his English forces. This new residence was located on what was then the northern edge of Belfast. Image by MorningbirdPhoto from Pixabay, S. Lewis is said to have been inspired by the castle in his portrayal of Cair Paravel, the royal castle of Narnia in his famous book series The Chronicles Of Narnia.. [37][38][42], By 1603, Belfast Castle, which was probably a Gaelic towerhouse by this time, was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years' War. Some architectural historians believe that the chapel, like the castle, was designed by either W.H. [21][37][38] The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. Course of the disappeared Farset River. Top 10 Facts about Belfast Castle 1. Join us Edinburgh Castle was built atop an extinct volcano. [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. But the locals say they can still hear the screams of the kitchen staff over the sound of the sea waves. The castle estate passed down through the Donegall family, hence the coat-of-arms above the front door and on the north wall of the castle. However, the ruins left today are from the 16th and 17th centuries, when Dunluce became the seat of Clan McDonnell, who overthrew their rivals, the McQuillans, who were Lords of Route. Orientation Courses are also available within the castle.Belfast Castle, Northern Ireland, by Andrew Hurley, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Belfast Castle was used as the permanent premises of the Shaftesbury family from the 18th to the early 19th century. And oh, the cry of the sea-gulls! Back at the castle youll find one of our favourite spots for coffee in Belfast. 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. The Queen's University of Belfast: The History Of The City. The Ability Caf at the Castle Tavern is now open 9am to 4pm every day. Following the closure of the chapel in 1972, the sculpture was moved to the foyer of Belfast City Hall, where it remains in situ.[103][106]. The castle was designed and built in the Victorian version of the Scots Baronial style. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. [102][103] The chapel was built in the Decorated Gothic[104] version of the Gothic Revival style and was constructed in the demesne of the new castle, just off the Antrim Road. The ship sunk after hitting rocks in Lacada Point, not far from Dunluce Castle. However, in the next book Prince Caspian, the castle is a ruin on an island where the great river of Narnia meets the ocean. [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. Practical Advice For Students Who Dream Of Traveling. They were very influential in the city as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1907 and Chancellor of the Queens University in 1908. [6] The current 'castle' is a Victorian structure, built between 1867 and 1870 on the slopes of Cave Hill, and is listed as being Grade B+. Beyond Belfast Castle and Cave Hill, the city has lots of interesting historical sites, museums, galleries and shops. A town near the castle was uncovered by archaeologists in 2011 that is also known as Dunluce. The first Belfast Castle is believed to have been erected at Bal Feirste, Belfast, by the 1220s. It takes you past the Devils Punchbowl, several caves and McArts Fort as you traverse moorland, heath and meadows. WebIn 1797 the Castle, which had on various occasions been used to house prisoners of war, became a prison and it was heavily defended during the Napoleonic Wars; six guns on the east battery remain of the twenty-two that were used in 1811. Featuring on theHBO TV serieswasnt the first time that Dunluce Castle was shown to the world. Here, you'll find everything from hike and drive guides to funky places to stay and more! [6][10] This original, medieval castle was almost certainly on, or very near, the same site as the much later 'Plantation-era' castle developed for Lord Chichester.[6][16][17]. The head of the Donegall family would not live in Belfast again for almost a century, until The 2nd Marquess of Donegall settled in Belfast in 1802, establishing his main residence there. 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. Grand Belfast Castle offers panoramic views from its elevated position in Cave Hill Country Park. [80][103] It seems that this small chapel was converted in 1891 into being a family chapel for regular worship, while also remaining as a family mausoleum. [6][16][18] By the 1860s, nothing remained above ground of the earlier 'Belfast Castles'. One ghost seen in the castle is that of Maeve Roe, the daughter of Lord McQuillan, she was the only girl and her father had chosen her husband to be Rory Og, a relative of the family. Dunluce served as the seat of the Earls of Antrim until the familys fortunes changed following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Chichester, who had been one of the most ruthless English commanders in Ireland during the Nine Years' War,[36] received a King's letter in August 1603, which officially put him in charge of Belfast Castle and its surrounding lands. really odd question, then we're here for you. R.Q.I.A. It has since hosted many weddings, dances and events. We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a The castle was just the beginning. 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). There are some waymarkers but in many places there is no signage at all so youll find a downloaded map very useful. This shows that the kitchen did not fall. The Mermaids Cave is located just below Dunluce Castle which is, in reality, a large cavern. find opening hours for the castle at the moment. Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Wikipedia. [10], Sir Arthur Chichester was also 'granted' a vast estate in Inishowen in County Donegal, over in the north-west of Ulster, in 1608 or 1609. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. Archaeological evidence suggests humans have been living on Castle Rock since 850 BC. 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!). You have previously denied access to your GPS location. [26], Belfast Castle was briefly seized by English forces in 1552, when the castle was possibly rebuilt on the orders of Sir James Croft, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland at the time. Sir Arthur Chichester, one of the main architects of the Plantation of Ulster, had Belfast Castle largely rebuilt in the early 1610s, mainly in brick. He was known as the Earl of Belfast, a courtesy title, between January 1799 and October 1844, when he succeeded his father in the marquessate. 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. Belfast Castle was passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. Even if you just visit for the views out over the city, the short 20-minute drive from the city centre out to the castle are well worth it. Castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, The current Belfast Castle, which was constructed in the late 1860s for. In the years after it was given to the city, there was some debate about what Belfast Castle should be used for. Have you visited this castle before? 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. [3][4][5] There have been several different structures called 'Belfast Castle' over the centuries, located on different sites. The new castle was built of stone and timber on the same site as the previous castle. 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. [60] The Cavehill Visitor Centre is located inside the castle. When Is The Best Time To Visit Ireland? 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]. A prominent Unionist, the 9th Earl was to involve himself very much in local affairs, going on to become Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1907. Patrick McKay, 'Leabhar Cloinne Aodha Buidhe: Bardic Poetry of the Nills of Clandeboy' in John McGurk (Editor), Katharine Simms, 'O'Neill of Clandeboye (Clann Aodha Buidhe)' in. Below Dunluce Castle, there is a massive cave, named Mermaids Cave. A formative ruin located on an island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Photo left: gabo. Alskea: Donegall Park Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. Belfast is home to many museums that tell its history, culture and daily life. Dunluce Castle is an important historical marker perched high on a cliff along the causeway coast of County Antrim. Belfast Castle has full car parking facilities but spaces are limited on busy weekends. To facilitate the building of this housing, almost all of the castle's demesne wall along the Antrim Road was demolished. [30][31][32][33][34] Chichester was killed by the MacDonnells during or immediately after this battle, possibly by being beheaded. 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. [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. Titanic Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see on any visit to Belfast and, Only 10 minutes from Bangor, these old fisherman's cottages now house a heritage display, visitor information and weekend, Step aboard and discover one ship, 100 years of history, and 1000 incredible stories, Located in Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough, you can enjoy a diver's view of marine life, Journey back in time and discover the stories of Irish emigration to the New World in the 18th, See the gothic and classical collide at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion resting on a rolling, Perfect for a family stroll while looking at the local flora and fauna, Balloo Wetland Nature Reserve has, Ever wanted to learn the ancient craft of coppersmithing? 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. Belfast City Hall, the Black Mountain, Titanic Belfast and the Cathedral Quarter are all worth a visit. There are three ways to get to Belfast Castle. It also features the plants and animals that live in Cave Hill County Park within the woodland, heath, cliffs, caves and two nature reserves. It is said that he ensured the recovered bodies received a Catholic burial and arranged for the survivors to travel on to Scotland. [75] Ormeau House, where The 2nd Marquess of Donegall died in October 1844,[76] was eventually demolished in the late 1860s.[77][78]. A second castle was constructed bySir Arthur Chichester, the baron of Belfast, on the same site in the year 1611. The castle sits atop a volcano But no need to fear the volcanic explosion that formed Castle Rock last exploded nearly 340 million years ago. 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. Photos via Curated Kitchen & Coffee on Facebook. [6] It certainly seems that the 'Plantation' castle was, at the very least, built on the site of the U Nill towerhouse, which had probably replaced the Norman castle. [91], The vast country estates of the Donegall family, which had been inherited by the Shaftesbury family in October 1883, were largely broken up and sold off under The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury during the 1890s and during the first decade of the twentieth century. Hot food is served until 3pm. The restaurant is open for dinner until 9pm on Thursday to Saturday evenings. Enter your e-mail address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. The castle was briefly taken in 1476 by inri mac Eoghain Nill (known in English as Henry O'Neill), R na Tr Eoghain (King of Tyrone), usually known during his lifetime as 'the Great O'Neill', when he 'attacked the castle of Belfast which he took and demolished'. In order to display distances relevant to your current position, we'd need to be able to use your GPS location. There are four ways to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast. You can choose a different starting point here, or specify your own. Come amaze yourself with your creativity and bring home. 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'. This is the location that Lewis states as his inspiration for Cair Paravel in Narnia. Weve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from whether the castle is worth visiting to what to see and do while youre there. As with Belfast Castle itself, there is some debate over who actually designed the Chapel of the Resurrection. [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. The publicity manager at the time felt that the castle should either be re-purposed into a tea and dance room, or perhaps a museum and art gallery with refreshment rooms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Reginalds body was washed ashore the following day but Maeves body was never recovered. This castle was never rebuilt. It was used as the external part of the Iron Island stronghold. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing. Chichester, as Lord Deputy of Ireland, ensured that the huge Dochartaigh lands in Inishowen were granted to himself. After that, head outside to admire the impressive exterior and the stunning Lough Belfast views. Belfast used to have a castle in the middle of the city centre, and ships in the middle of the high street. [103][106] The graves of the deceased in the chapel were also desecrated by vandals during these years. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Homepage, Eat & Drink Its foundation on basalt rock probably contributed to its survival, and ability to withstand the never-ending pounding of Atlantic waves and winds. showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland. Inside the grand front door, the ground and first floor rooms have retained their original features. The castle is flanked on all sides by extremely steep waterfalls, which may have attracted early Christians and Vikings to the area. The Chapel of the Resurrection, like Belfast Castle and the rest of its surrounding demesne, was inherited by the Shaftesbury family in October 1883. Designed and built in the Victorian version of theScots Baronial Styleand constructed withpink Scrabo sandstone, the castle is a dream come true. [1][7][8] The main entrance into the Belfast Castle Demesne is now where Innisfayle Park meets Downview Park West, just off the Antrim Road (part of the A6). Homepage, Stay The Park is also home to McArts Fort, an ancient fort which stands at 1,200 feet above sea level. [6] By 1802, these original castle sites had partially been built upon with other buildings. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. This one was destroyed by fire barely 100 years later, leaving only the street names to mark its existence. If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!You can email us your pictures of the castle atcastrumtocastle@gmail.com. The stairs are quite steep and might be slippery during the rainy season. [57][58] It is almost certain that Chichester had his 'Plantation' castle built on the site of the Gaelic U Nill towerhouse. This original High Medieval, Late Medieval and Early Modern castle site was on the southern bank of the River Farset (which now flows beneath High Street), being located on a sliver of land that was bounded by the Farset to the north and the River Owenvara (Blackstaff River) to the south. In the 1980s, Belfast Castle was totally renovated and continues to be a popular centre for conferences, events and weddings. Its no wonder it has been worn down over time. However, this castle was built of stone and timber and burnt down after a hundred years, leaving only a little of it to mark its presence as the Castle Place to the common public. The Belfast Castle occupies a prominent position on the slopes of Cave Hill, some 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level. [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. Belfast Castle is a medieval castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 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. Call Belfast Castle Estate & Cave Hill Visitor Centre, Email Belfast Castle Estate & Cave Hill Visitor Centre, Visit the website for Belfast Castle Estate & Cave Hill Visitor Centre. 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 https://ga.advisor.travel/poi/Caislean-Bheal-Feirste-11444, https://www.irelandhighlights.com/info/belfast-castle/, https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/belfast-castle-estate-p676051, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-62167256, https://apps.communities-ni.gov.uk/Buildings/buildview.aspx?id=8684&js=true, https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/buildings-belfast-castle-estate, https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/history-carrickfergus, http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=17038, https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/belfast-lower/templecorran/templecorran/aldfreck/, https://www.culturenorthernireland.org/features/heritage/chichester-family, https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Living-in-Northern-Ireland/Life-in-Belfast/The-history-of-the-city/, http://www.stonedatabase.com/buildings.cfm?bk=2616, https://www.dia.ie/architects/view/3094/LANYON,+charles+(sir), https://www.dia.ie/architects/view/3086/LANYON-JOHN, https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Lanyon, http://www.mmtrust.org.uk/mausolea/view/486/Belfast_Castle_Mortuary_Chapel, http://www.stonedatabase.com/buildings.cfm?bk=2617, https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/property/movein/2016/02/25/news/a-site-with-truly-divine-potential-430817, https://www.flickr.com/photos/16132340@N07/16673439845, https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/house-home/let-there-be-light-derelict-belfast-church-transformed-into-heavenly-homes-39478506.html, https://paintworksni.com/the-chapel-donegal-park-gardens/, https://content.propertynews.com/belfast-church-transformed-into-homes-at-the-chapel-development/, https://www.alskea.com/development-project/antrim-road/, https://www.rqia.org.uk/inspections/view-inspections-as/map/the-gate-lodge-dental-practice/, Historic houses in the Republic of Ireland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belfast_Castle&oldid=1147255831, Gothic Revival architecture in Northern Ireland, Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with Structurae structure identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 March 2023, at 19:34. With its fascinating history and associations, its superb setting and views, and well-deserved reputation for good food, here are the top 10 facts about Belfast Castle; The first Belfast Castle is believed to have been erected at Bal Feirste, Belfast, by the 1220s. Although weve tried, we cant seem to find up-to-date opening hours for Belfast Castle, so you may have to ring in advance. The fire killed three sisters and one servant of The 4th Earl of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family. [10] In June 1597, the forces of Shane McBrian O'Neill, Lord of Lower Clandeboye and son and successor of Sir Brian mac Feidhlimidh Nill, forcibly took the castle back from English control, apparently putting to the sword most of the English garrison there. [61][62], On the 24 April 1708, the 'Plantation-era' Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down, killing three sisters and one servant of The 4th Earl of Donegall (1695-1757). The legend of the kitchen of Dunluce Castle falling into the sea when a violent storm was raging is not believed by historians. 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! The castle boasts an antique shop, a restaurant and visitors centre. Dunluce Castle is allegedly haunted. Belfast rumour has it that the clock tower leans because of the prostitutes that used to occupy the building. 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.

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