Have you ever wondered what lies behind the façade of Clifton House?  This imposing Georgian building has seen its fair share of war, famine and plague, but few know the real story and this summer you can find out more.

In visiting the House you’ll see and hear the personal stories of those who petitioned the Society both inside and outside the confines of Poor House.  Their stories, at times difficult, at times uplifting continue beyond the Poor House through employment, emigration and even in death with many buried in the Society’s Clifton Street Graveyard.

Blue sky with clouds

The development of Belfast is fundamentally linked to the development of the Belfast Charitable Society.  The Society became responsible for services such as water supply, medical provisions, street lighting and philanthropy within the town.  All of this was over 150 years before Belfast City Hall was even built!

Tours will be held Monday – Friday at 3.00pm.  Each Friday will include a tour of Clifton Street Cemetery.  To book a tour, please contact 028 90997022 or email info@cliftonbelfast.org.uk

Laura Caldwell

Author: Laura Caldwell

Hi, I'm Laura. I'm 30 years old and have a degree in Journalism with Photo-Imaging at the University of Ulster. I have an undying love for Belfast and all that it has to offer, an undying love for sleeping, Tegan and Sara, trashy tv shows, foreign snack-foods and being irresponsible with money. I also quite like origami, reading, jazz, hip-hop, dubstep, anything acoustic and Food Network TV. I've written for The Big List, Culture NI, Chatterbox and The Echo, as well as writing for BBC Across the Line.