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. 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. For a century it remained a magazine and armoury. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. 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 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. The town was built to rival Coleraine. There are plenty of snacks and drinks available, although the castle is best known for its large-scale catering. Martina O'Donnell, 'The Estate System of Landholding in County Donegal' in Jim MacLaughlin and Sen Beattie (Editors). [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. In order to allow access to your location, you need to update your site settings through your browser settings to allow this site access to your location. Alskea: Donegall Park Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. This castle was never rebuilt. To find out more about how we use your location, please read our. 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. Dunluce served as the seat of the Earls of Antrim until the familys fortunes changed following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Sign up to the Visit Belfast newsletter and receive inspiring ideas, events and offers which It includes many archaeological sites, fantastic flora and fauna, and panoramic views. Homepage, Ideas After the third Marquis of Donegalls demise, the castles possession was passed ontoThe Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury: Lord Ashley. Can you remember?. From ghostly inhabitants to its Cold War past, here are 10 facts you may not have known about this famous fortress. [60] The Cavehill Visitor Centre is located inside the castle. The original main entrance into the current demesne was formerly on the Antrim Road itself, where Strathmore Park now meets the Antrim Road. [115] The Gate Lodge is now occupied by a dental practice, and is located where Strathmore Park meets the Antrim Road. A blacksmiths forge was also found. These include: Ulster Museum; Nomadic Ship Have you visited this castle before? [81][82] This new residence was called Belfast Castle, in a nod to family history, even though it was built on a completely different site, and in a completely different area, from the original castle site, which had been located right in the centre of Belfast. What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle. Belfast Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Northern Ireland. 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! These lands were redeveloped as housing estates, mainly in the 1950s and 1960s, leaving the chapel marooned in the middle of these new estates. The landmark, named for the five caves located on the side of the cliffs, contains a wealth of natural, archaeological and historical features, including Belfast Castle. [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. [103] Following its closure, the chapel suffered extensive vandalism throughout the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and first two decades of the twenty-first-century, with all of the glass in the building's windows either being removed or destroyed. [26] His son and heir, The 9th Earl of Kildare (often known as Gearid g), also seized the castle in 1523. It appears that it has been closed for much of 2021. 24 No-one knows what the original name means. It has since hosted many weddings, dances and events. Enter your e-mail address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. It was on holidays along the North Coast, that C S Lewis first set eyes on Dunluce Castle. It was finished in 1870. Especially under the of 1903, 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. 1913. Belfast Castle is no less interesting. The architecture partnership of Hewitt and Haslam oversaw and carried out the over 2 million project, with the castle and demesne reopening on Armistice Day, 11 November 1988. Belfast Castle | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ultimate guide Image by William Miller from Wikimedia. 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 -. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. [30][31][32][33][34] Chichester was killed by the MacDonnells during or immediately after this battle, possibly by being beheaded. 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. Sir John Chichester, who had been appointed as Governor of Carrickfergus Castle, soon fell out with the previously neutral MacDonnells of the Glens. Recent Posts Interesting facts about Table Tennis Interesting facts about Shrek Interesting facts about the Baroque Interesting facts about Peter Paul Rubens 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. Dunluce Castle is an important historical marker perched high on a cliff along the causeway coast of County Antrim. Chichester, as Lord Deputy of Ireland, ensured that the huge Dochartaigh lands in Inishowen were granted to himself. Natural Stone Database: Buildings - Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast. Sir Brian mac Feidhlimidh Nill was not killed during this massacre. [103][106] The graves of the deceased in the chapel were also desecrated by vandals during these years. Not only was it important in the past, but its also still a popular location to visit for Irish folks, visitors to Northern Ireland, and historians alike. Newly refurbished, it tells the history of Belfast Castle, the people who lived on Cave Hill and how it got its name. Lynn or John Lanyon. [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. When Is The Best Time To Visit Ireland? [26][27] The rebuilt castle was again briefly seized from the U Nill of Clandeboye in 1489, this time by Aodh Ruadh Domhnaill (Red Hugh O'Donnell), R na Tr Chonaill (King of Tr Chonaill), an immensely powerful Gaelic ruler from the west of Ulster. Historical and archaeological exhibits are on display for public viewing. [26][28] Domhnaill, whose chief residence was Donegal Castle in Donegal Town, had invaded Clandeboye with his army and 'took and demolished the Castle of Belfast, and then returned safe to his house loaded with immense spoils'. This is exactly the age of the stone ruins Youll find everything you need to know about visiting Belfast Castle below. Belfast Castle estate is situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill County Park in the North of Belfast. Location. Inside the grand front door, the ground and first floor rooms have retained their original features. You can choose a different starting point here, or specify your own. Once inside the cave, be careful as its also very steep and it can get slippery with the water on the stones. Back at the castle youll find one of our favourite spots for coffee in Belfast. Since then, it has once again become a popular spot for weddings and other celebrations as well as for business meetings. Image by Anna and Piotr Pieszak from Pixabay. 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. Belfast Castle stairs, by Alicia Fagerving, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0Belfast Castle Turret, by Etrusia UK, is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0Coat of Arms, Belfast Castle, by Ross, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0Gates, Belfast Castle, by Albert Bridge, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0PICT0090, by Abel Pardo Lpez, is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 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 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. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, there is no admission fee for visiting the castle. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. 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. Yes! Martina O'Donnell, 'Settlement and Society in the Barony of East Inishowen. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle? The fire killed three sisters and one servant of The 4th Earl of Donegall, a descendant of the Chichester family. 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]. There is currently no charge for parking. The castle stands mostly in ruins today, but the walls and remains of some of the buildings can still be seen. 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. https://visitbelfast.com/partners/belfast-castle-estate-cave-hill-visitor-centre/. [103] In January 1945, the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor replaced the Diocese of Down, Connor and Dromore in this part of Belfast. WebThe first 'Belfast Castle' was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. 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. Castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, The current Belfast Castle, which was constructed in the late 1860s for. Belfast Castle stands 120 m (400 ft) above sea level on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He also experiences financial difficulties managing the estate, especially after the various Land Acts passed by the British Parliament during the 1880s, 1890s and early twentieth-century. Its quite challenging underfoot and steep in places but very rewarding. 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. Situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle is a short 20 It is a monument in state care sited in the townland of Dunluce, in Coleraine Borough Council area, at grid ref: C9048 4137. In the early 70s, it also featured on the inner sleeve of theLed ZeppelinalbumHouses of the Holy. This myth led to the creation of the Cat Garden right next to the stately pile on the slopes of Cave Hill. 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 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. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. 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. [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. [84] This Victorian castle, which has been described by Sir Charles Brett as 'a rugged and determined exercise in the fullness of the Scottish Baronial style, perched on a highly romantic site with a superb view',[1] remains standing and in use to the present day. This one was destroyed by fire barely 100 years later, leaving only the street names to mark its existence. [9] Designed by John Lanyon, the son and business partner of Sir Charles Lanyon, the Gate Lodge is located on the Antrim Road. Situated precariously on top of a craggy outcrop of rock, overlooking the North Channel of the Atlantic Ocean, Dunluce is one of the most picturesque and romantic of Irish Castles. The exhibits on Belfast Castle show how it might have looked 100 years ago as a family home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The first Belfast Castle is believed to have been erected at Bal Feirste, Belfast, by the 1220s. The castle is normally open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday and Monday it is normally opened 9am-5.30pm. Rooms of the castle have now been converted into public tea rooms that can be booked for tea parties or meetings. Although the reason for its fame [6][16][18] By the 1860s, nothing remained above ground of the earlier 'Belfast Castles'. We cant (and weve tried!) Theres also a Visitor Centre, caf, adventure playground, landscaped gardens and eco trails. [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. Grand Belfast Castle offers panoramic views from its elevated position in Cave Hill Country Park. The castle we see today was built in Scottish Baronial style, and the construction was completed in 1870. As money dwindled, the castle was left to ruin parts of it fell into the sea, whilst other stones were scavenged as building materials. Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family left Belfast. Belfast Castle was passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. 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. They would lean [37][38] This event is usually known as the Clandeboye Massacre. 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. 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? 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. Placenamesni.org: Aldfreck, County Antrim. [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. The park is named after the five caves located on the side of the cliffs. [56] The head of the family was further advanced in the Peerage of Ireland to being Marquess of Donegall in July 1791. [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. [75] Ormeau House, where The 2nd Marquess of Donegall died in October 1844,[76] was eventually demolished in the late 1860s.[77][78]. Northern Irelands capital is bustling with great food spots, as youll discover in our guide to the best restaurants in Belfast. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The town also had a dungeon and a courthouse. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Lord Kildare seized the castle and sacked Belfast in 1503 and again in 1512. 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. Other items that have been uncovered are gaming pieces, bone combs, a bronze tuning pin, dress fastenings, and wine glass stems. If you have a question that we havent tackled, ask away in the comments section below. 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]. The building of these housing estates greatly reduced the castle's demesne in size. Scots Baronial style castles were typically built on asymmetrical plans and included high roofs, towers, and turrets to display the owner's status. Free to visit, it has four rooms of exhibits and an 8-minute film about Cave Hill and Belfast Castle. We create informative articles about castles and famous historical figures such as kings and queens. 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. 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. 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. [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).