Donegall House was converted into being The Royal Hotel in 1824. 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 Your settings have been updated. 24 No-one knows what the original name means. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line. There are four ways to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast. Happy travels! [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. By 1603, Belfast Castle was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years War. It also features the plants and animals that live in Cave Hill County Park within the woodland, heath, cliffs, caves and two nature reserves. 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]). 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. This direct description fits with Dunluce Castle, once home to the Clans of Ulster. Let there be light: Derelict Belfast church transformed into heavenly homes. Dunluce Castle is close to the town of Bushmills and lies on the northern coast of Ireland between the towns of Portrush and Portballintra. [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. 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. Reginalds body was washed ashore the following day but Maeves body was never recovered. It remained in their hands throughout the fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries, with a few brief exceptions. No votes so far! One of its 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 one of the most famous landmarks in Northern Ireland. The castle stands mostly in ruins today, but the walls and remains of some of the buildings can still be seen. 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. [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. Theres also a Visitor Centre, caf, adventure playground, landscaped gardens and eco trails. https://visitbelfast.com/partners/belfast-castle-estate-cave-hill-visitor-centre/. 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. WebBelfast Castle is open. In order to display distances relevant to your current position, we'd need to be able to use your GPS location. Martina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). Grab some of the best views of the city on the Cave Hill walk, 3. Around 1608, Randal McDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, built the town of Dunluce next to the castle. Novels that drew inspiration from Dunluce Castle. Yes! [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Belfast Castle 1. 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. [60] This serpentine outdoor staircase was installed for The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury in 1894. Exterior shots ofDunluce Castlewere used inGame of ThronesforPyke Castle of House GreyjoyonPyke Island. Youll find everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle below. 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. But the locals say they can still hear the screams of the kitchen staff over the sound of the sea waves. 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. 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. For a century it remained a magazine and armoury. 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'. Top 10 Facts about Belfast Castle 1. Beyond Belfast Castle and Cave Hill, the city has lots of interesting historical sites, museums, galleries and shops. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. Placenamesni.org: Aldfreck, County Antrim. Inside the grand front door, the ground and first floor rooms have retained their original features. After his military service was over, he mainly lived in Great Britain, where he was very involved in politics at Westminster. 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. 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! Lord Belfast had died in Naples, aged 25, from scarlatina in February 1853. Grand Belfast Castle offers panoramic views from its elevated position in Cave Hill Country Park. Lynn or John Lanyon. [91] The architect of this elaborate, serpentine outdoor staircase is unknown. The legend of the kitchen of Dunluce Castle falling into the sea when a violent storm was raging is not believed by historians. [30] Chichester then placed Belfast Castle and its surrounding settlement under the command of Sir Ralph Lane, the Elizabethan adventurer. 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. This castle was never rebuilt. 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. The Belfast Castle occupies a prominent position on the slopes of Cave Hill, some 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level. There is no admission fee to the Belfast Castle. Location. The Queen's University of Belfast: The History Of The City. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. A town near the castle was uncovered by archaeologists in 2011 that is also known as Dunluce. In 1934, the Donegall family presented the castle and estate to the city. [89][90] It was Lord Shaftesbury who had the Baroque stone staircase added to the garden faade of the castle in 1894. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. 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. Here, you'll find everything from hike and drive guides to funky places to stay and more! For our opening times, go to Opening hours. 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. R.J. Hunter, 'Plantation in Donegal' in William Nolan, Liam Ronayne and Mairead Dunlevy (Editors), Thomas McErlean, 'Chapter 4: The Archaeology and History of. 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. [22][23][24] The U Nill of Clandeboye maintained Belfast Castle as one of their main residences,[10][25] with the castle and its surrounding tath largely remaining in their hands throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,[22] with a few brief exceptions. 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. The Cellar Restaurant is currently closed to the public. 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. Belfast Castle was used as the permanent premises of the Shaftesbury family from the 18th to the early 19th century. Scots Baronial style castles were typically built on asymmetrical plans and included high roofs, towers, and turrets to display the owner's status. 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. Spring Spectacular at Hillsborough Castle. Homepage, Stay After the Second World War, a large amount of housing was built on the lands of the Belfast Castle Demesne that bordered the Antrim Road. [115] The Gate Lodge is now occupied by a dental practice, and is located where Strathmore Park meets the Antrim Road. The sculpture was carved by Patrick McDowell, R.A., the well-known Belfast artist. Learn how your comment data is processed. Currently, it is under the possession of the Belfast City Council and open to the public for occasional arrangements or simply a visit! 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. [10][36] A new grant of the castle and its surrounding lands was made by the Crown the following year, in May 1604, again to Chichester, who would serve as Lord Deputy of Ireland between 1605 and 1616. Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Belfast Castleis established in a prominent position ofThe Cave Hill County Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. You will get gorgeous views of the sea once you make your way to the Mermaids Cave. Although weve tried, we cant seem to find up-to-date opening hours for Belfast Castle, so you may have to ring in advance. 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. [36], In October 1574, during the Enterprise of Ulster, The 1st Earl of Essex and his retinue were invited to a feast at Belfast Castle by Sir Brian mac Feidhlimidh Nill (Sir Brian McPhelim O'Neill), Lord of Lower Clandeboye. Dunluce Castle. Dunluce Castle is in the care of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The ship sunk after hitting rocks in Lacada Point, not far from 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. The renovations have left many original architectural features intact including the fireplaces. What's On What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle. 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. 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. Practical Advice For Students Who Dream Of Traveling. Belfast Castle | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ultimate guide [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. It was replaced by a wood and stone castle constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester in 1611. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. [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. 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. The Mermaids Cave is located just below Dunluce Castle which is, in reality, a large cavern. 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. Be the first to rate this post. Discover Northern Ireland: Belfast Castle Estate. 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]. It was finished in 1870. Marina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). Maeves ghost is said to be still seen in the tower. Dunluce Castle is allegedly haunted. Belfast Castle estate is situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill County Park in the North of Belfast. It has since hosted many weddings, dances and events. Its no wonder it has been worn down over time. [48][49][50][51] Most of this huge Inishowen estate was eventually sold off by the Chichester family via the Encumbered Estates Court in the 1850s and later in the nineteenth century.[52][53][54][55]. [3][4][5] There have been several different structures called 'Belfast Castle' over the centuries, located on different sites. The crown used for the crowning itself is different from the one used on most other occasions. 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. Officially it is believed that it was founded in the early 17th century, but people lived here at least 5000 years ago. We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a However, in the next book Prince Caspian, the castle is a ruin on an island where the great river of Narnia meets the ocean. [6] Chichester may even have incorporated parts of the U Nill structure into his new castle. History. The original Belfast Castle, built in the late 12th century by the Normans, was located in the town itself, flanked by the modern day High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place in what is now Belfast city centre. This was the home of The 1st Baron Chichester (better known as Sir Arthur Chichester ), but was burned down in 1708, The original main entrance into the current demesne was formerly on the Antrim Road itself, where Strathmore Park now meets the Antrim Road. 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). Titanic. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. After the third Marquis of Donegalls demise, the castles possession was passed ontoThe Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury: Lord Ashley. [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. Dunluce served as the seat of the Earls of Antrim until the familys fortunes changed following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family left Belfast. Belfasts very own leaning tower of Pisa, the Albert Clock leans four feet off the perpendicular. The castle remained in The Shaftesbury familys possession for several years untilit was passed onto the city of Belfast in 1934. 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. 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 Ability Caf at the Castle Tavern is now open 9am to 4pm every day. The castle was built on a hill known as Castle Rock , a volcanic plug that formed following an eruption 340 million find opening hours for the castle at the moment. There are three ways to get to Belfast Castle. The beginnings of Belfast Castle Course of the disappeared Farset River The first Belfast Castle is believed to 2. Hot food is served until 3pm. On the 24 April 1708, the Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down. 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. [96][97][98][99], In his later years, Lord Shaftesbury spent less and less time at Belfast Castle,[100] particularly after the outbreak of the First World War. The boat was dashed against the rocks and both were killed. [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+. showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland. This is regarded as one of the more challenging walks in Belfast for good reason. You can take a Line 2 Train from Belfast Lanyon Palace to Downshire and walk for approximately 9 minutes to reach the castle. really odd question, then we're here for you. The castle was just the beginning. The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. [60] The Cavehill Visitor Centre is located inside the castle. [103][106] The graves of the deceased in the chapel were also desecrated by vandals during these years. Belfast Castle is famously used to hold weddings, it is a popular avenue to hold business meetings, tea parties, and occasional dinner meet-ups! We also provide all the visiting information you need to help plan your visit to each castle. Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex Wikipedia. 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. 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. Homepage, Ideas 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. [80] He decided to build what has been described as a new 'princely mansion'[1] for himself in the 1860s on what was then the northern edge of Belfast,[1][77] just over a decade after the Great Famine had ended. Edinburgh Castle was built atop an extinct volcano. Web10 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA, UK Facing Grand Opera House - Checkin inside shop 8:45am tour departs at 9:00am sharp See address & details 1 Carrickfergus Castle Stop: 15 minutes - Admission excluded See details 2 Carnlough Harbour Stop: 15 minutes See details 3 Cushendun Stop: 20 minutes See details 4 The Dark Hedges Stop: 90 In order to display distances relevant to you, we'd like to be able to use your GPS location. This turreted stone building is surrounded by gardens and woodland and its arguably one of the most beautiful castles in Northern Ireland. 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. [5][117], Belfast Castle was closed in 1978 for a restoration and refurbishing effort. To facilitate the building of this housing, almost all of the castle's demesne wall along the Antrim Road was demolished. The first Belfast Castle wasbuilt in the late 12th century by the Normansin Belfast city. [1][7] However, there is some debate over who in the firm actually designed the new Belfast Castle. A Guide To Weather, Seasons + Climate, How To Get Around In Ireland: The Pros + Cons To Cars, Tours and Public Transport, Airports in Ireland: Where They Are And Which Is The Best To Fly Into, Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Belfast Castle, 2. 16 Things Belfast is Known and Famous For 1. 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. This castle, in some form or another, has been present for nearly two thousand years of Irish history. Sir Brian, along with his wife and his brother, were arrested by Lord Essex and, later in 1574, all three were executed in Dublin. The new castle was built of stone and timber on the same site as the previous castle. Can you remember?. 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. Alternatively, head to the Cellar Restaurant which serves Irish and British favourites within the castle building. [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. Belfast used to have a castle in the middle of the city centre, and ships in the middle of the high street. Photo by Ballygally View Images (Shutterstock). [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. It was built in 1811-1870 on a mountain overlooking the city. Registered Office 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. 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? [69][74] This country house was built in the Tudor Revival architectural style and was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison. We cant (and weve tried!) 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. [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.
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