[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. [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. Youll find everything from vegan restaurants and lively spots for bottomless brunch to great places for breakfast in 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. 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. 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.. [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. [113] It has been described by the architectural historian Dixie Dean as a 'High Victorian Picturesque essay'. [1][7] However, there is some debate over who in the firm actually designed the new Belfast Castle. [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. Homepage, Ideas 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. 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. After his military service was over, he mainly lived in Great Britain, where he was very involved in politics at Westminster. The medieval Belfast Castle was eventually seized by a branch of the powerful U Nill (O'Neill) dynasty of the Cnel nEgain, probably at the end of the fourteenth-century or the beginning of the fifteenth century. Other items that have been uncovered are gaming pieces, bone combs, a bronze tuning pin, dress fastenings, and wine glass stems. Belfast used to have a castle in the middle of the city centre, and ships in the middle of the high street. 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 appears that it has been closed for much of 2021. Facts 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. 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 Location. Be the first to rate this post. By 1603, Belfast Castle was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years War. R.J. Hunter, 'Plantation in Donegal' in William Nolan, Liam Ronayne and Mairead Dunlevy (Editors), Thomas McErlean, 'Chapter 4: The Archaeology and History of. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the chapel and the lands surrounding it were detached from the Belfast Castle Demesne. 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. 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. [115], 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 800-year-old Carrickfergus Castle is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. 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. A blacksmiths forge was also found. The first Belfast Castle wasbuilt in the late 12th century by the Normansin Belfast city. Have you heard it? Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. Here are 11 facts about this famous collection of ceremonial objects and royal regalia. [89][90] It was Lord Shaftesbury who had the Baroque stone staircase added to the garden faade of the castle in 1894. Around 1608, Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, built the town of Dunluce next to the castle. The 2nd Marquess of Donegall became the first head of his family in almost a century to actually live in Belfast. Passed down by generations, it was later handed over to the northern Irish Government in 1928. WE read of the Castle of Belfast as occupying a very important part in the old history of the town. The Chichester castle features prominently to the top right of Thomas Phillips' map of Belfast in 1685. Photo by Ballygally View Images (Shutterstock). Also it is said that good fortune will come to those visiting the castle as long as the tradition of the castle cat is kept. Castle When the head of the Chichester family was advanced in the Peerage of Ireland to being an earl in 1647, they took the title Earl of Donegall due to the family's ownership of this vast estate in Inishowen. The Mausolea and Monuments Trust: Belfast Castle Mortuary Chapel. 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. Martina O'Donnell, 'Settlement and Society in the Barony of East Inishowen. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Belfast Castle worth visiting?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes! Scots Baronial style castles were typically built on asymmetrical plans and included high roofs, towers, and turrets to display the owner's status. [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. 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. Featuring on theHBO TV serieswasnt the first time that Dunluce Castle was shown to the world. One of the beauties of visiting Belfast Castle is that its a short spin away from many of the best things to do in Belfast. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. The castle and its surrounding demesne was eventually gifted to the City of Belfast by Lord Shaftesbury in January 1934.[35][60]. One night, after her father had locked her in one of the castle towers, Reginald managed to rescue her, they ran to Mermaids Cave beneath the castle where they escaped by rowing boat. [6][67], Lord Donegall thus had to find an alternative residence for himself and his family. The last service in the chapel was held in 1972, after which the building was closed. The park is named after the five caves located on the side of the cliffs. It had its front on the cobbled streets. Titanic. [6] By 1802, these original castle sites had partially been built upon with other buildings. This castle was never rebuilt. We also provide all the visiting information you need to help plan your visit to each castle. WebThe Story of Belfast and Its Surroundings. However, in the next book Prince Caspian, the castle is a ruin on an island where the great river of Narnia meets the ocean. Since 1708, the Earls and, later, Marquesses of Donegall had mainly lived over in Great Britain, usually living in London. Belfast is home to many museums that tell its history, culture and daily life. Homepage, Stay It includes many archaeological sites, fantastic flora and fauna, and panoramic views. [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). The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Winston Churchill was part owner of Dunluce Castle Image by Simon Goodall from Pixabay. Belfast Castle has full car parking facilities but spaces are limited on busy weekends. The Shaftesbury familycontributed a lot to the Belfast Castle through donations, charities, garden fetes, etc., for which they are famously remembered through the various streets of Belfast like the Donegall Place, Donegall Square, Donegall Road, and Shaftesbury Square. [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. The cave is actually a huge cavern, more than 25 meters under the castle. 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 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. Belfast [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. Belfast: The hidden castles under the city's shops - BBC News 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 -. 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. Donegall House was converted into being The Royal Hotel in 1824. This myth led to the creation of the Cat Garden right next to the stately pile on the slopes of Cave Hill. This new residence was located on what was then the northern edge of Belfast. showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland. To find out more about how we use your location, please read our. 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. It was The 3rd Marquess of Donegall who finally sold off almost all of his family's Belfast estate in the 1850s. [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. We create informative articles about castles and famous historical figures such as kings and queens. The castle we see today was built in Scottish Baronial style, and the construction was completed in 1870. The castle was designed and built in the Victorian version of the Scots Baronial style,[1][7] which was an architectural style that originally developed out of French-inspired Gothic styles during the Renaissance in Scotland in the sixteenth century. Natural Stone Database: Buildings - Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast. Lord Belfast had died in Naples, aged 25, from scarlatina in February 1853. The cave is massive, and it offers a splendid view of the sea. Belfast Castle - Wikipedia 16 Things Belfast is Known and Famous For 1. Castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, The current Belfast Castle, which was constructed in the late 1860s for. 23 The castle had its own gallows. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. 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. The beginnings of Belfast Castle. There are some waymarkers but in many places there is no signage at all so youll find a downloaded map very useful. Photo right: Joy Brown (Shutterstock). They were very influential in the city as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1907 and Chancellor of the Queens University in 1908. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Wikipedia. Enter your search above to discover things to do, events, offers and more For generations, Cave Hill has been synonymous with Belfast, with its imposing outline visible throughout the city. In 1978, the castle closed as part of a The castle was then seized by Essex and his English forces. [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. While the town of Belfast had been sold off by The 3rd Marquess of Donegall back in the 1850s,[62][69][79] the Donegall family continued to own a large estate in County Antrim and large parts of Inishowen until these passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. Exterior shots ofDunluce Castlewere used inGame of ThronesforPyke Castle of House GreyjoyonPyke Island. The crown used for the crowning itself is different from the one used on most other occasions. [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. There are three ways to get to Belfast Castle. No votes so far! In the early 70s, it also featured on the inner sleeve of theLed ZeppelinalbumHouses of the Holy. [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). Which boasts no less than nine cats for visitors to discover. 24 No-one knows what the original name means. Culture Northern Ireland: The Chichester Family. 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. [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. Belfast Castle | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ultimate guide The town was built to rival Coleraine. 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. For generations, Cave Hill has been [73] At that time, the Ormeau Demesne was on the south-eastern edge of Belfast, being in Ballynafeigh on the County Down side of the River Lagan. [54] The 3rd Marquess joined the British Army as an officer when he was a young man. On the 1860s, The 3rd Marquess of Donegall decided to build what has been described as a new princely mansion for himself. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens and woodland, the estate offers dramatic views across the Belfast Lough. The Ability Caf at the Castle Tavern is now open 9am to 4pm every day. It remained in their hands throughout the fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries, with a few brief exceptions. really odd question, then we're here for you. It was built in 1811-1870 on a mountain overlooking the city. Can you remember?. [91], As in the twentieth-century, many of the rooms have been turned into public tea rooms or are available to be reserved for private functions. Castle Curiously, it was only when he no longer owned Belfast that Lord Donegall became interested in actually living there. 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; 1. Discover Northern Ireland: Belfast Castle Estate. [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. Belfast church transformed into homes at The Chapel development. The castle and its surrounding demesne were eventually gifted to the City of Belfast by Lord Shaftesbury in January 1934. 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. Dunluce Castle. Belfast 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. Since 1945, the castle has been a popular venue for weddings, afternoon teas, and other such events.[60]. Maeves ghost is said to be still seen in the tower. [26], In the early sixteenth-century, Belfast Castle was seized on three different occasions by two senior-ranking members of the House of Kildare, part of the wider Geraldine dynasty. The stairs are quite steep and might be slippery during the rainy season. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Visit Belfast is a trading name of Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau Limited (NI 034953). Sir John Chichester, who had been appointed as Governor of Carrickfergus Castle, soon fell out with the previously neutral MacDonnells of the Glens. The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. [60] This serpentine outdoor staircase was installed for The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury in 1894. What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle. 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. 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. Dunluce served as the seat of the Earls of Antrim until the familys fortunes changed following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Belfast Castle was used as the permanent premises of the Shaftesbury family from the 18th to the early 19th century. This castle, in some form or another, has been present for nearly two thousand years of Irish history. If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!You can email us your pictures of the castle atcastrumtocastle@gmail.com. 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. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing. [3][4][5] There have been several different structures called 'Belfast Castle' over the centuries, located on different sites. 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. [46][47][48] However, very little of this Inishowen estate was ever run directly by the head of the Chichester family; from the early seventeenth century onwards, almost all of this vast estate was sublet by the Chichesters to several lesser landlords, often described as 'middlemen', on very long-term leases. To facilitate the building of this housing, almost all of the castle's demesne wall along the Antrim Road was demolished. The Victorian structured Castle has a breathtaking view in the lough of the city and is positioned 120 m above sea level. As with Belfast Castle itself, there is some debate over who actually designed the Chapel of the Resurrection. Beyond Belfast Castle and Cave Hill, the city has lots of interesting historical sites, museums, galleries and shops. Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Belfast Castleis established in a prominent position ofThe Cave Hill County Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. On the 24 April 1708, the Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle? Homepage, See & Do [57][59][60] Lord Chichester had only one child with his wife, a son, who died in infancy. "}}]}, The Giants Causeway Legend And The Now-Famous Finn McCool Story, What To See And Do In The Magnificent Ballyhoura Region. Free to visit, it has four rooms of exhibits and an 8-minute film about Cave Hill and Belfast Castle. Youll find everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle below. 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. [9] Designed by John Lanyon, the son and business partner of Sir Charles Lanyon, the Gate Lodge is located on the Antrim Road. 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. Some architectural historians believe that the chapel, like the castle, was designed by either W.H. As money dwindled, the castle was left to ruin parts of it fell into the sea, whilst other stones were scavenged as building materials. 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. Alternatively, head to the Cellar Restaurant which serves Irish and British favourites within the castle building. 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. Belfast Castle is no less interesting. After the outbreak of the First World War Lord Shaftesbury found himself spending less and less time at Belfast Castle. You can take a Line 2 Train from Belfast Lanyon Palace to Downshire and walk for approximately 9 minutes to reach the castle. [103] In January 1945, the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor replaced the Diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore in this part of Belfast. 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. [37][38][39][40][41] It seems this massacre was ordered by Essex himself. 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. Today, the castles estate forms a part of the Cave Hill Country Park. You have to go down 115 steps to reach the cave. He had only succeeded his famous father in the earldom in October 1885. 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! He and his wife, Constance, Countess of Shaftesbury (1875-1957), were also very involved with charitable causes in Belfast, often holding events in the grounds of Belfast Castle in order to raise money for local charities. [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). [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]. Homepage, Plan There is no admission fee to the Belfast Castle. Currently, it is under the possession of the Belfast City Council and open to the public for occasional arrangements or simply a visit! Let there be light: Derelict Belfast church transformed into heavenly homes. [26] Gearid g, Lord Kildare, had succeeded his father as Lord Deputy of Ireland in September 1513, also succeeding his father as the Geraldine leader at the same time. About Belfast Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family left Belfast. WebThe first 'Belfast Castle' was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. Interesting facts about Belfast | Just Fun Facts [75] Ormeau House, where The 2nd Marquess of Donegall died in October 1844,[76] was eventually demolished in the late 1860s.[77][78]. The town also had a dungeon and a courthouse. History of Belfast Castle [6][16][18] By the 1860s, nothing remained above ground of the earlier 'Belfast Castles'. The castle remained in The Shaftesbury familys possession for several years untilit was passed onto the city of Belfast in 1934. A report by the plantation commissioners in 1611 gives Dunluce Castle is allegedly haunted. In the section below, weve popped in the most FAQs that weve received. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. WebBelfast Castle is open. The restaurant is open for dinner until 9pm on Thursday to Saturday evenings. They still own the castle, but now live in Glenarm. Many other establishments can be visited alongside the castle like The Cave Hill Country Park, The Cave Hill Adventurous Playground, The Cave Hill Visitor Centre, the Belfast Zoo, and many more. This castle has a long and tumultuous history, well worth exploring. The sculpture, which was originally located in the Chapel of the Resurrection, was carved in white marble, and it depicts the young Lord Belfast lying on a sofa, dying from scarlatina, being mourned by his lace-capped mother, Lady Donegall. Former Chapel of the Resurrection on Belfast's Antrim Road up for sale with 1.35 million price tag. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. It was used as the external part of the Iron Island stronghold. Happy travels! [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. Belfast Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Northern Ireland. Martina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). Theres also a Visitor Centre, caf, adventure playground, landscaped gardens and eco trails. The castle was just the beginning. [60], Belfast Castle is open to the public daily with a visitor centre, antique shop, Millennium Herb Garden, restaurant, and a playground. Of all the private owners of the new Belfast Castle, the 9th Earl was to own it the longest, presiding over the castle until January 1934.
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