3 facts about belfast castle

Belfast Castle estate also contains both parkland and mature mixed woodland that is home to many different species of wildlife, including long-eared owls, sparrowhawks and Belfasts rarest plant, the town hall clock. Thus, upon his own death in February 1625, Arthur, Lord Chichester, was succeeded in his estates and properties (but not in the peerage) by his younger brother Edward (1568-1648), who was created The 1st Viscount Chichester later in that same year. 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. In August 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester received a Kings letter which officially put him in charge of Belfast Castle and its surrounding lands. For more stunning views, don your hiking boots and head out on the Cave Hill Trail. This construction in the mid-twentieth-century left both the Chapel of the Resurrection and the former Main Gate Lodge marooned in the middle of housing estates, no longer being part of the castle's demesne. [107], Having been derelict for almost fifty years,[9][104][108] the chapel was eventually converted into luxury flats, with work being completed in 2020. WebCarrickfergus Castle. More than 1,200 men died in the wreck, and 9 survived, helped by Sorley Boy MacDonnell, chief of the clan MacDonnell and owner of Dunluce Castle at the time. Fans of Game Of Thrones can instantly recognize Dunluce Castle as the seat of the House of Greyjoy the great castle of Pyke. Belfast Castle has full car parking facilities but spaces are limited on busy weekends. You will get gorgeous views of the sea once you make your way to the Mermaids Cave. Lord Kildare seized the castle and sacked Belfast in 1503 and again in 1512. 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. Nevertheless, the site was passed down over the centuries, until it came into the part ownership of Winston Churchill through his marriage to Clementine Hozier. For our opening times, go to Opening hours. In 1934, the Donegall family presented the castle and estate to the city. [21][37][38] The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. The Ability Caf at the Castle Tavern is now open 9am to 4pm every day. Top 15 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. 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. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. [16][18] Both the River Farset and the River Owenvara (Irish: Abhainn Bheara, meaning 'River of the Staff', usually known nowadays in English as the Blackstaff River[19]) emptied into the River Lagan just to the east of this castle site. Sir John Chichester, who had been appointed as Governor of Carrickfergus Castle, soon fell out with the previously neutral MacDonnells of the Glens. Registered Office 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. 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.. The last service in the chapel was held in 1972, after which the building was closed. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"We can't (and we've tried!) Belfast Castle was built in 1177 during the Norman Invasion of Ireland after John de Courcy acquired land in eastern Ulster that included the small village of Belfast. Belfast Castle was passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. The building was built in 1906 and is almost an exact copy of a similar structure in the South African city of Durban. Join us [13][14], By 1333, a small settlement is thought to have developed around the castle at Belfast. Of Lord Donegall's three children, all by his first wife - two sons and one daughter - Lady Harriet was the only one to have had children of her own and to have outlived her father. [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]. This castle was never rebuilt. [103] In January 1945, the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor replaced the Diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore in this part of Belfast. Yes! 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. Belfast rumour has it that the clock tower leans because of the prostitutes that used to occupy the building. Happy travels! The castle is normally open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday and Monday it is normally opened 9am-5.30pm. 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. [74], Lord Donegall sold off Donegall House in the centre of Belfast in the early 1820s, establishing his main residence at Ormeau House thereafter. The castle is flanked on all sides by extremely steep waterfalls, which may have attracted early Christians and Vikings to the area. 23 The castle had its own gallows. 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. In 1978, the castle closed as part of a You have previously denied access to your GPS location. [57][58] It is almost certain that Chichester had his 'Plantation' castle built on the site of the Gaelic U Nill towerhouse. The fire killed three sisters and one servant of The 4th Earl of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family. Belfast used to have a castle in the middle of the city centre, and ships in the middle of the high street. WE read of the Castle of Belfast as occupying a very important part in the old history of the town. Curiously, it was only when he no longer owned Belfast that Lord Donegall became interested in actually living there. From ghostly inhabitants to its Cold War past, here are 10 facts you may not have known about this famous fortress. They were very influential in the city as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1907 and Chancellor of the Queens University in 1908. Happy travels! It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. [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. Can you remember?. The first Belfast Castle wasbuilt in the late 12th century by the Normansin Belfast city. It remained in their hands throughout the fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries, with a few brief exceptions. LocationVaduz, Liechtenstein (Google Map Location)Owner of Vaduz CastlePrincely family of LiechtensteinVisitors AllowedNo Vaduz Castle is, Inverallochy Castle is a lovely ruin situated near the village of Inverallochy in the Buchan, Rose Castle is a stunning 16,244 square feet (1,509.1m2)fortified house. This shows that the kitchen did not fall. The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. The crown used for the crowning itself is different from the one used on most other occasions. The town was built to rival Coleraine. [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. [113], The lodge was built in uncoursed squared quarry-faced sandstone, honey coloured with pink ashlar dressings. But the locals say they can still hear the screams of the kitchen staff over the sound of the sea waves. Homepage, Plan Free to visit, it has four rooms of exhibits and an 8-minute film about Cave Hill and Belfast Castle. The fire destroyed the castle, leaving only street names, such as Castle Place, to mark the location. WebCarrickfergus was built by an Anglo-Norman knight John de Courcy in 1177, he used this Castle as his headquarters after he conquered eastern Ulster. Beyond Belfast Castle and Cave Hill, the city has lots of interesting historical sites, museums, galleries and shops. It had its front on the cobbled streets. In the 1820s, Lord Donegall had Ormeau Cottage greatly extended in size, turning it into a mansion called Ormeau House. 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. [30] Chichester then placed Belfast Castle and its surrounding settlement under the command of Sir Ralph Lane, the Elizabethan adventurer. 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. Since 1945, the castle has been a popular venue for weddings, afternoon teas, and other such events.[60]. It has many other claims to fame and tales from within its walls. The castle remained in The Shaftesbury familys possession for several years untilit was passed onto the city of Belfast in 1934. Its location affords unhindered views of Belfast and Belfast Lough. Belfast is home to many museums that tell its history, culture and daily life. [89][90] It was Lord Shaftesbury who had the Baroque stone staircase added to the garden faade of the castle in 1894. Belfast church transformed into homes at The Chapel development. [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. A Castle existed from the earliest times, but the arrival of John De Courci, in 1171, made a great change throughout the North of Ireland. In order to display distances relevant to you, we'd like to be able to use your GPS location. The 2nd Marquess of Donegall became the first head of his family in almost a century to actually live in Belfast. 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! Although weve tried, we cant seem to find up-to-date opening hours for Belfast Castle, so you may have to ring in advance. WebModern History Between 1945 and the 1970s, Belfast Castle was a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and afternoon teas. It was rediscovered in 2011, having been razed to the ground in 1641 and archaeological discoveries suggest a sophisticated piece of town planning around a grid system, as well as evidence of indoor toilets, which were extremely rare at the time. He settled at what became known as Donegall House, a large terraced house on the corner of what is now Donegall Place and Donegall Square North, only a few hundred yards from the original site of Belfast Castle, right in the centre of the town of Belfast[68][69] (it did not officially become a city until November 1888[70][71][72]). 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]'. The medieval Belfast Castle was eventually seized by a branch of the powerful U Nill (ONeill) dynasty of the Cnel nEgain, probably at the end of the fourteenth-century or the beginning of the fifteenth-century. It is described as, The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea, and long lines of bluish-green waves breaking forever and ever on the beach. 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. Paintworks NI: The Chapel, Donegall Park Gardens. [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]'. 'Belfast: The hidden castles under the city's shops' (, W.A. It was built in 1811-1870 on a mountain overlooking the city. Have you heard it? Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Wikipedia. Belfast Castle | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ultimate guide Although popularly attributed to Sir Charles Lanyon, some architectural historians believe that the castle was actually designed by either his business partner, and former apprentice, W.H. Excavations have revealed the evidence of coins from the times of Charles I and Elizabeth I. Image by Anna and Piotr Pieszak from Pixabay. And oh, the cry of the sea-gulls! 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. https://visitbelfast.com/partners/belfast-castle-estate-cave-hill-visitor-centre/. Homepage, See & Do [57][59][60] Lord Chichester had only one child with his wife, a son, who died in infancy. 24 No-one knows what the original name means. 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. [6] Chichester may even have incorporated parts of the U Nill structure into his new castle. Edinburgh Castle was built atop an extinct volcano. [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. Alskea: Donegall Park Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. 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. really odd question, then we're here for you. The Mausolea and Monuments Trust: Belfast Castle Mortuary Chapel. The Chapel of the Resurrection, like Belfast Castle and the rest of its surrounding demesne, was inherited by the Shaftesbury family in October 1883. The new Belfast Castle was built on what had been the Donegall family's deerpark on the slopes of Cave Hill,[1][7] a location which was, at that time, on the northern outskirts of Belfast, just off the Antrim Road. Newly refurbished, it tells the history of Belfast Castle, the people who lived on Cave Hill and how it got its name. A hundred and fifty years later, in 1862, the process of reconstructing the castle was undertaken byThe Third Marquis of Donegall, a descendant of theChichester family, who decided to build a new castle on the North of Belfast. Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family left Belfast. Wildlife abounds in the park including sparrow-hawks, long-eared owls and the rare Adoxa moschatellina Town Hall Clock plant. [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. On the 24 April 1708, the Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down. The Mermaids Cave is located just below Dunluce Castle which is, in reality, a large cavern. [37][38] This event is usually known as the Clandeboye Massacre. [37][38][39][40][41] It seems this massacre was ordered by Essex himself. 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. The town also had a dungeon and a courthouse. 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!). [4], Another example of events held at the castle was the 2015 Belfast Castle Hospice Walk, held by the Northern Ireland Hospice to benefit local charities and those living with terminal illnesses.[118]. 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. By 1603, Belfast Castle was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years War. 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. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. Stay on for the 10 amazing facts about Dunluce Castle. 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. After the third Marquis of Donegalls demise, the castles possession was passed ontoThe Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury: Lord Ashley. 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. It was on holidays along the North Coast, that C S Lewis first set eyes on Dunluce Castle. Belfast Castle stands 120 m (400 ft) above sea level on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Rebuilding of the castle began in the early 1610s. Belfast Castle is famously used to hold weddings, it is a popular avenue to hold business meetings, tea parties, and occasional dinner meet-ups! 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. WebThe Story of Belfast and Its Surroundings. Discover Northern Ireland: Belfast Castle Estate. [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+. One of its most iconic features is thegreyish-brown winding stone staircase on the garden faade, which is a present photo booth for newlyweds! R.J. Hunter, 'Plantation in Donegal' in William Nolan, Liam Ronayne and Mairead Dunlevy (Editors), Thomas McErlean, 'Chapter 4: The Archaeology and History of. [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). 5. 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. Dont miss St Georges Market (Fridays through Sundays) with its musical entertainment and stalls. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Webbelfast castle | Just Fun Facts Animals Architecture Art Food Nature People Places Space Other belfast castle Leave a Comment You must be logged in to post a comment. [9][116] Like the former Chapel of the Resurrection, the Gate Lodge is now surrounded by modern housing and is no longer part of the present-day Belfast Castle Demesne. Lynn, or by Sir Charles's other business partner, his son John Lanyon.[7][83][84][85][86][87]. [30] English forces, under the command of Sir John Chichester, soon marched north to retake Belfast Castle from the U Nill of Clandeboye, which they did in July 1597. The new Belfast Castle was constructed in the late 1860s using pink Scrabo sandstone from near Newtownards in the north of County Down, along with Giffnock sandstone dressings from Renfrewshire and a rock-faced basalt plinth. Lynn or John Lanyon. [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. 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. 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. 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. The Cellar Restaurant is currently closed to the public. 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. [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. 16 Things Belfast is Known and Famous For 1. [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. The new castle was built of stone and timber on the same site as the previous castle. 1913. The Girona was a Spanish warship that set sail in May 1588 from Spain. 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. The castle was designed and built in the Victorian version of the Scots Baronial style. 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. [69][74] This country house was built in the Tudor Revival architectural style and was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison. When Is The Best Time To Visit Ireland? This myth led to the creation of the Cat Garden right next to the stately pile on the slopes of Cave Hill. These include: Ulster Museum; Nomadic Ship In the section below, weve popped in the most FAQs that weve received. [60], Since the construction of the current Belfast Castle in the late 1860s, its sandstone walls and towers have been restored. Dunluce served as the seat of the Earls of Antrim until the familys fortunes changed following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
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