3 facts about belfast castle

This event was ordered by Essex himself and is usually known as the Clandeboye Massacre. But thats not the only exciting thing about this 16th-century structure. The castle and its surrounding demesne were eventually gifted to the City of Belfast by Lord Shaftesbury in January 1934. Rooms of the castle have now been converted into public tea rooms that can be booked for tea parties or meetings. Today, the castles estate forms a part of the Cave Hill Country Park. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"We can't (and we've tried!) The castle was built on a hill known as Castle Rock , a volcanic plug that formed following an eruption 340 million WE read of the Castle of Belfast as occupying a very important part in the old history of the town. 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. However, the ruins left today are from the 16th and 17th centuries, when Dunluce became the seat of Clan McDonnell, who overthrew their rivals, the McQuillans, who were Lords of Route. 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. Belfast church transformed into homes at The Chapel development. Basalt rock forms the coastline of this part of Ulster and this castle was mainly built out of local basalt stone, known for its strength and durability. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens and woodland, the estate offers dramatic views across the Belfast Lough. After the third Marquis of Donegalls demise, the castles possession was passed ontoThe Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury: Lord Ashley. 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 our opening times, go to Opening hours. It is the sites earliest known occupation. They would lean On the 1860s, The 3rd Marquess of Donegall decided to build what has been described as a new princely mansion for himself. No votes so far! 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 the 1820s, Lord Donegall had Ormeau Cottage greatly extended in size, turning it into a mansion called Ormeau House. It was on holidays along the North Coast, that C S Lewis first set eyes on Dunluce Castle. But the locals say they can still hear the screams of the kitchen staff over the sound of the sea waves. The castle is normally open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday and Monday it is normally opened 9am-5.30pm. [1][7] However, there is some debate over who in the firm actually designed the new Belfast Castle. If you have a question that we havent tackled, ask away in the comments section below. By 1603, Belfast Castle was in ruins, largely as a result of the Nine Years War. 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. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Belfast Castle worth visiting?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes! The beginnings of Belfast Castle. 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. The castle remained in The Shaftesbury familys possession for several years untilit was passed onto the city of Belfast in 1934. A cobbled street going across the town towards Dunluce Castle has also been discovered. [75] Ormeau House, where The 2nd Marquess of Donegall died in October 1844,[76] was eventually demolished in the late 1860s.[77][78]. To facilitate the building of this housing, almost all of the castle's demesne wall along the Antrim Road was demolished. [5][117], Belfast Castle was closed in 1978 for a restoration and refurbishing effort. 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. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. [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+. Archaeologists have uncovered the house of a Scottish merchant that was erected in the first part of the 17th century. The castle and its surrounding demesne was eventually gifted to the City of Belfast by Lord Shaftesbury in January 1934.[35][60]. The designs for the chapel came out of the office of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. [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. Beyond Belfast Castle and Cave Hill, the city has lots of interesting historical sites, museums, galleries and shops. It has since hosted many weddings, dances and events. 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]). 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. In the years after it was given to the city, there was some debate about what Belfast Castle should be used for. On-site amenities include an excellent Visitor Centre, cafe/restaurant, toilets and a Gift Shop. In a patent dated 5 November 1603, the Crown granted to Sir Arthur Chichester 'The Castle of Bealfaste or Belfast, with the Appurtenants and Hereditaments, Spiritual and Temporal, situate in the Lower Clandeboye, late in the possession or custody of Sir Ralph Lane Knt., deceased'. A report by the plantation commissioners in 1611 gives Sir Brian, along with his wife and his brother, were arrested by Lord Essex and, later in 1574, all three were executed in Dublin. Since 1708, the Earls and, later, Marquesses of Donegall had mainly lived over in Great Britain, usually living in London. Happy travels! It was part of a big fleet of warships, the Spanish Armada, which went on a Crusade against England. The house has its walls still intact with a fireplace and internal privy. Since then, it has once again become a popular spot for weddings and other celebrations as well as for business meetings. This circular hike is in an anticlockwise direction from the castle car park. [69][74] This country house was built in the Tudor Revival architectural style and was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison. Dunluce Castle. Featuring on theHBO TV serieswasnt the first time that Dunluce Castle was shown to the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up to the Visit Belfast newsletter and receive inspiring ideas, events and offers which showcase the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland. The castle stands mostly in ruins today, but the walls and remains of some of the buildings can still be seen. [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. [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'. Its no wonder it has been worn down over time. 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. After the outbreak of the First World War Lord Shaftesbury found himself spending less and less time at 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. [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]'. In the section below, weve popped in the most FAQs that weve received. Dont miss St Georges Market (Fridays through Sundays) with its musical entertainment and stalls. It was used as the external part of the Iron Island stronghold. Discover Northern Ireland: Belfast Castle Estate. They will take effect next time you refresh the page. If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!You can email us your pictures of the castle atcastrumtocastle@gmail.com. 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. Belfasts Albert Clock tower is sinking it leans by four feet. There are four ways to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast. 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. The castle underwent another round of refurbishment in May 2003. 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. These housing estates, all built in the 1950s and 1960s, included Innisfayle Park, Downview Park West and Strathmore Park. Shimmering seas reflect majestic sunsets and waves crashing against black and gray rocks hide tales of ghosts, hauntings and tragedies. Image by Hajotthu from Wikimedia. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. [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). [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. Happy travels! In 1934, the Donegall family presented the castle and estate to the city. In August 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester received a Kings letter which officially put him in charge of Belfast Castle and its surrounding lands. 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. Its one of the most haunted castles on the island of Ireland. You can take a Line 2 Train from Belfast Lanyon Palace to Downshire and walk for approximately 9 minutes to reach the castle. Registered Office 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. 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 Girona was a Spanish warship that set sail in May 1588 from Spain. Photo left: gabo. [6][67], Lord Donegall thus had to find an alternative residence for himself and his family. 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. It includes many archaeological sites, fantastic flora and fauna, and panoramic views. [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. The Park is also home to McArts Fort, an ancient fort which stands at 1,200 feet above sea level. 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. But dont be fooled by romantic pictures of this castles picturesque setting. [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. You will get gorgeous views of the sea once you make your way to the Mermaids Cave. Visitors can explore the public rooms on the ground and first floor. Yes, there is no admission fee for visiting the castle. [66], The 2nd Marquess of Donegall also maintained a country residence called Ormeau Cottage on the Ormeau Demesne (which later became Ormeau Park). 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. 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]. Belfast Castle is located in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. The beginnings of Belfast Castle Course of the disappeared Farset River The first Belfast Castle is believed to 2. As money dwindled, the castle was left to ruin parts of it fell into the sea, whilst other stones were scavenged as building materials. Recent Posts Interesting facts about Table Tennis Interesting facts about Shrek Interesting facts about the Baroque Interesting facts about Peter Paul Rubens Gerard MacAtasney and Christine Kenealy, 'The Great Hunger in Belfast' in John Crowley, William J. Smyth, and Mike Murphy (Editors). 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. [3][4][5] There have been several different structures called 'Belfast Castle' over the centuries, located on different sites. Learn how your comment data is processed. [109][110][111][112], The Gate Lodge at what was formerly the main entrance into the Belfast Castle Demesne still stands. Once inside the cave, be careful as its also very steep and it can get slippery with the water on the stones. Edinburgh Castle was built atop an extinct volcano. Another way is to take a taxi from Belfast to Belfast Castle, hire a cab or simply walk. [113], The lodge was built in uncoursed squared quarry-faced sandstone, honey coloured with pink ashlar dressings. A formative ruin located on an island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 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. The town also had a dungeon and a courthouse. The crown used for the crowning itself is different from the one used on most other occasions. Youll find everything from vegan restaurants and lively spots for bottomless brunch to great places for breakfast in Belfast. Novels that drew inspiration from Dunluce Castle. 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. This castle was never rebuilt. Be the first to rate this post. You have to go down 115 steps to reach the cave. The cave is massive, and it offers a splendid view of the sea. We create informative articles about castles and famous historical figures such as kings and queens. 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. 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. 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. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. 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. Belfast rumour has it that the clock tower leans because of the prostitutes that used to occupy the building. [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. Situated on the lower slopes of Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast Castle is a short 20 The McQuillans held the castle for about 55 years before it was taken by the MacDonnells, who came over from Islay in 1554. It was built in the 1860s and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. 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. 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. 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.. 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. The new, Victorian castle was built in the Scots Baronial architectural style and was designed by the Belfast firm of Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. WebFacts about Belfast. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. Join us Have you visited this castle before? [74], Lord Donegall sold off Donegall House in the centre of Belfast in the early 1820s, establishing his main residence at Ormeau House thereafter. [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 town near the castle was uncovered by archaeologists in 2011 that is also known as Dunluce. [6][16][18] By the 1860s, nothing remained above ground of the earlier 'Belfast Castles'. 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. WebBelfast Castle is open. 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. Belfast Castle is a medieval castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Top 10 Facts about Belfast Castle 1. [29] Another occasion when Belfast Castle was briefly seized from the U Nill of Clandeboye was in the 1570s, when English forces, initially under the command of The 1st Earl of Essex, occupied the castle for a few years during the short-lived Enterprise of Ulster.[10][21]. [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. [6][12] These Norman invaders carved out a territory for themselves which was centred on Carrickfergus, this territory later becoming known as the Earldom of Ulster. Officially it is believed that it was founded in the early 17th century, but people lived here at least 5000 years ago. Martina O'Donnell, 'Settlement and Society in the Barony of East Inishowen. 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. And oh, the cry of the sea-gulls! The last service in the chapel was held in 1972, after which the building was closed. 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. Alskea: Donegall Park Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. 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. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. Donegall House was converted into being The Royal Hotel in 1824. 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. [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. 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. You have previously denied access to your GPS location. Lynn or John Lanyon. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, there is no admission fee for visiting the castle. In the 1980s, Belfast Castle was totally renovated and continues to be a popular centre for conferences, events and weddings. It appears that it has been closed for much of 2021. It remained in their hands throughout the fifteenth- and sixteenth-centuries, with a few brief exceptions. The first castle at Dunluce was built in the 13th century by Richard de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. It is said that he ensured the recovered bodies received a Catholic burial and arranged for the survivors to travel on to Scotland. 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. Image by Anna and Piotr Pieszak from Pixabay. It takes you past the Devils Punchbowl, several caves and McArts Fort as you traverse moorland, heath and meadows. These lands were redeveloped as housing estates, mainly in the 1950s and 1960s, leaving the chapel marooned in the middle of these new estates. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. 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. [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]. Spring Spectacular at Hillsborough Castle. These include: Ulster Museum; Nomadic Ship The castle was just the beginning. Built in the 12th century by the Normans, Belfast Castleis established in a prominent position ofThe Cave Hill County Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Homepage, Stay [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]. [30][31][32][35] Sir John Chichester was the fifth son of Sir John Chichester of North Devon, and he was the younger brother of The 1st Baron Chichester. 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. 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. Stay on for the 10 amazing facts about Dunluce Castle. 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. Natural Stone Database: Buildings - Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast. 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. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line. One way to reach the castle is to take a bus from Belfast North Street to Newtownabbey Serpentine Road and walk for approximately 12 minutes to reach the castle. The popularity of the show has brought hundreds of visitors to the castle in Ireland. 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. Here are 11 facts about this famous collection of ceremonial objects and royal regalia. One of its most iconic features is thegreyish-brown winding stone staircase on the garden faade, which is a present photo booth for newlyweds! 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. The castle boasts an antique shop, a restaurant and visitors centre. What are the opening hours for Belfast Castle. 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. In July 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester offered to rebuild Belfast Castle if he was granted Belfast and its surrounding lands by the Crown. The first Belfast Castle is believed to have been erected at Bal Feirste, Belfast, by the 1220s. 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 -.
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