Currently, it is under the possession of the Belfast City Council and open to the public for occasional arrangements or simply a visit! 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. [60], Belfast Castle is open to the public daily with a visitor centre, antique shop, Millennium Herb Garden, restaurant, and a playground. [91] The architect of this elaborate, serpentine outdoor staircase is unknown. 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 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. Wildlife abounds in the park including sparrow-hawks, long-eared owls and the rare Adoxa moschatellina Town Hall Clock plant. [115] The Gate Lodge is now occupied by a dental practice, and is located where Strathmore Park meets the Antrim Road. 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'. The ship sunk after hitting rocks in Lacada Point, not far from Dunluce Castle. By default, all distances on the site are calculated from Belfast City Centre. 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 Mermaids Cave is located just below Dunluce Castle which is, in reality, a large cavern. You can even see the oven and entryway fireplace. [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. For a century it remained a magazine and armoury. The earliest castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century. You can take a Line 2 Train from Belfast Lanyon Palace to Downshire and walk for approximately 9 minutes to reach the 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. [54] The 3rd Marquess joined the British Army as an officer when he was a young man. However, the outside of the castle building is even more impressive. In August 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester received a Kings letter which officially put him in charge of Belfast Castle and its surrounding lands. Image by Hajotthu from Wikimedia. WebBelfast Castle is located in the Cave Hill area of north Belfast. Today, the castles estate forms a part of the Cave Hill Country Park. [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 have to go down 115 steps to reach the cave. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. 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. After that, head outside to admire the impressive exterior and the stunning Lough Belfast views. [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. You can also take a bus from Duncairn Yorkgate Station to Carrickfergus 14-22 Larne Road and walk for 8 minutes to reach the castle. Although the reason for its fame Winston Churchill was part owner of Dunluce Castle Image by Simon Goodall from Pixabay. [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. [37][38] This event is usually known as the Clandeboye Massacre. [103][106] The graves of the deceased in the chapel were also desecrated by vandals during these years. Natural Stone Database: Buildings - Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast. Registered Office 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. The stairs are quite steep and might be slippery during the rainy season. Lord Kildare seized the castle and sacked Belfast in 1503 and again in 1512. The boat was dashed against the rocks and both were killed. 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. When Is The Best Time To Visit Ireland? [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. "}}]}, The Giants Causeway Legend And The Now-Famous Finn McCool Story, What To See And Do In The Magnificent Ballyhoura Region. Course of the disappeared Farset River. [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. There are three ways to get to Belfast Castle. This shows that the kitchen did not fall. 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. Archaeological evidence suggests humans have been living on Castle Rock since 850 BC. [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. But dont be fooled by romantic pictures of this castles picturesque setting. 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. Homepage, Eat & Drink The Chapel of the Resurrection, like Belfast Castle and the rest of its surrounding demesne, was inherited by the Shaftesbury family in October 1883. It also features the plants and animals that live in Cave Hill County Park within the woodland, heath, cliffs, caves and two nature reserves. [21][37][38] The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. 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. After his military service was over, he mainly lived in Great Britain, where he was very involved in politics at Westminster. Photo right: Joy Brown (Shutterstock). There are four ways to get to Carrickfergus from Belfast. [30] English forces, under the command of Sir John Chichester, soon marched north to retake Belfast Castle from the U Nill of Clandeboye, which they did in July 1597. A report by the plantation commissioners in 1611 gives We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. [30] Chichester then placed Belfast Castle and its surrounding settlement under the command of Sir Ralph Lane, the Elizabethan adventurer. [5][117], Belfast Castle was closed in 1978 for a restoration and refurbishing effort. [84], One of the castle's 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. Photo by Ballygally View Images (Shutterstock). [6][11][16] Although originally built in either the late twelfth-century or the early thirteenth-century, this castle was 'rebuilt' on several occasions between the 1220s and the 1550s, possibly being 'rebuilt' on the same site or on an adjacent site. Homepage, Ideas Some architectural historians believe that the chapel, like the castle, was designed by either W.H. Dunluce Castle is in the care of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The McQuillans held the castle for about 55 years before it was taken by the MacDonnells, who came over from Islay in 1554. 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. Stay on for the 10 amazing facts about 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. Officially it is believed that it was founded in the early 17th century, but people lived here at least 5000 years ago. [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. Although weve tried, we cant seem to find up-to-date opening hours for Belfast Castle, so you may have to ring in advance. Newly refurbished, it tells the history of Belfast Castle, the people who lived on Cave Hill and how it got its name. 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 -. In July 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester offered to rebuild Belfast Castle if he was granted Belfast and its surrounding lands by the Crown. The house has its walls still intact with a fireplace and internal privy. It was on holidays along the North Coast, that C S Lewis first set eyes on Dunluce Castle. The second was the home of Sir Arthur Chichester and was built in 1611, only to burn [56] The head of the family was further advanced in the Peerage of Ireland to being Marquess of Donegall in July 1791. Recent Posts Interesting facts about Table Tennis Interesting facts about Shrek Interesting facts about the Baroque Interesting facts about Peter Paul Rubens This castle was never rebuilt. [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). 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. 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? Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. Fans of Game Of Thrones can instantly recognize Dunluce Castle as the seat of the House of Greyjoy the great castle of Pyke. Location. 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. [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. 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). Belfast Castle was used as the permanent premises of the Shaftesbury family from the 18th to the early 19th century. A formative ruin located on an island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. However, in the next book Prince Caspian, the castle is a ruin on an island where the great river of Narnia meets the ocean. Top 10 Facts about Belfast Castle 1. The first Belfast Castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th Century. 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. On the 24 April 1708, the Belfast Castle, which had been built for Lord Chichester, accidentally burnt down. The castle we see today was built in Scottish Baronial style, and the construction was completed in 1870. 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. [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. 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. Back at the castle youll find one of our favourite spots for coffee in Belfast. [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. 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. If you select a location more than 15km from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, your location will be set to Belfast City Centre. You have previously denied access to your GPS location. 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. Shipwreck near Dunluce Castle Image by 0fjd125gk87 from Pixabay. [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. The castle was designed and built in the Victorian version of the Scots Baronial style. Culture Northern Ireland: The Chichester Family. Practical Advice For Students Who Dream Of Traveling. [115] The grand, octagonal stone carriageway piers that once stood to one side of the Gate Lodge were demolished in the mid-twentieth century, as was the attached wall surrounding the demesne. [60] This serpentine outdoor staircase was installed for The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury in 1894. 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. Built in the 12th century by Norman lord John de Courcy, it was used to ward off attacks from the Scots, Irish, English, and French, and also served as a garrison during World War I and an air raid shelter during World War II. The cave is actually a huge cavern, more than 25 meters under the castle. Excavations have revealed the evidence of coins from the times of Charles I and Elizabeth I. 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. Join us The castle is normally open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday and Monday it is normally opened 9am-5.30pm. Youll find everything from vegan restaurants and lively spots for bottomless brunch to great places for breakfast in Belfast. The Belfast Castle occupies a prominent position on the slopes of Cave Hill, some 120 metres (400 feet) above sea level. This circular hike is in an anticlockwise direction from the castle car park. Chichester, as Lord Deputy of Ireland, ensured that the huge Dochartaigh lands in Inishowen were granted to himself. They still own the castle, but now live in Glenarm. The castle stands mostly in ruins today, but the walls and remains of some of the buildings can still be seen. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"We can't (and we've tried!) [6][10] In fact, all the earlier structures called Belfast Castle were on a completely different site, and in a completely different area of Belfast, from the current Belfast Castle. The castle and its surrounding demesne were eventually gifted to the City of Belfast by Lord Shaftesbury in January 1934. The Chichester family (later also known as the Donegall family) were to own the town of Belfast from around 1603 up until the early 1850s, when their Belfast estate was largely broken up and sold off. [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. [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. [6] By 1802, these original castle sites had partially been built upon with other buildings. [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). [6][16][18] By the 1860s, nothing remained above ground of the earlier 'Belfast Castles'. Dunluce Castle is an important historical marker perched high on a cliff along the causeway coast of County Antrim. No votes so far! Let there be light: Derelict Belfast church transformed into heavenly homes. The 3rd Marquess would serve at Westminster as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard from February 1848 until February 1852 in the first government of Lord John Russell, while the Great Famine was still ravaging Ireland. Yes! Cave Hill Visitor Centre is located in the basement of Belfast Castle. 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. 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. The Mausolea and Monuments Trust: Belfast Castle Mortuary Chapel. The feast was to celebrate a newly signed peace agreement between the English Crown and Sir Brian. [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. 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. In order to display distances relevant to you, we'd like to be able to use your GPS location. And oh, the cry of the sea-gulls! Then head for a post-walk feed at 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. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens and woodland, the estate offers dramatic views across the Belfast Lough. 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. Visitors can explore the public rooms on the ground and first floor. Discover Walks contributors speak from all corners of the world - from Prague to Bangkok, Barcelona to Nairobi. In the 1820s, Lord Donegall had Ormeau Cottage greatly extended in size, turning it into a mansion called Ormeau House. 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. Have you heard it? Enter your e-mail address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail. Since 1945, the castle has been a popular venue for weddings, afternoon teas, and other such events.[60]. 5. Belfast Castle was passed to the Shaftesburys in October 1883. Lynn, or by Sir Charles's other business partner, his son John Lanyon.[7][83][84][85][86][87]. Another way is to take a taxi from Belfast to Belfast Castle, hire a cab or simply walk. WebFacts about Belfast. However, this castle was built of stone and timber and burnt down after a hundred years, leaving only a little of it to mark its presence as the Castle Place to the common public. [109][110][111][112], The Gate Lodge at what was formerly the main entrance into the Belfast Castle Demesne still stands. A town near the castle was uncovered by archaeologists in 2011 that is also known as Dunluce. 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. The Cellar Restaurant is currently closed to the public. [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. [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+. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Belfast Castle worth visiting?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes! Below Dunluce Castle, there is a massive cave, named Mermaids Cave. [60] The Cavehill Visitor Centre is located inside the castle. [63][64][65] Following this fire, the senior line of the Donegall family (also known as the Chichester family) left Belfast. A hundred and fifty years later, in 1862, the process of reconstructing the castle was undertaken byThe Third Marquis of Donegall, a descendant of theChichester family, who decided to build a new castle on the North of Belfast. 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!). Scots Baronial style castles were typically built on asymmetrical plans and included high roofs, towers, and turrets to display the owner's status. As with Belfast Castle itself, there is some debate over who actually designed the Chapel of the Resurrection. [6] However, when in Ulster, Lord Chichester, as he later became, usually resided at Joymount House in nearby Carrickfergus rather than at the 'Plantation-era' Belfast Castle. Upon his death, the 8th Earl was succeeded by his then sixteen-year-old son, who now became The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury (1869-1961). He had only succeeded his famous father in the earldom in October 1885. [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]. : The Gate Lodge Dental Practice. 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. We're here to help, so if you can't find the info you're after, or you just want to ask a 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. They will take effect next time you refresh the page. 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 replaced by a wood and stone castle constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester in 1611. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. Belfast used to have a castle in the middle of the city centre, and ships in the middle of the high street. 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. He then ruled as a petty king until 1204 until he was ousted by another Norman adventurer, Hugh de Lacy. The beginnings of Belfast Castle. R.J. Hunter, 'Plantation in Donegal' in William Nolan, Liam Ronayne and Mairead Dunlevy (Editors), Thomas McErlean, 'Chapter 4: The Archaeology and History of. A cobbled street going across the town towards Dunluce Castle has also been discovered. We cant (and weve tried!) 'Belfast: The hidden castles under the city's shops' (, W.A. 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. 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. [10] Lane, the then Muster Master-General,[10] had previously served, over a decade earlier, as Governor of the ill-fated Roanoke Colony in what is now North Carolina. WebBelfast Castle is open. Belfast City Hall, the Black Mountain, Titanic Belfast and the Cathedral Quarter are all worth a visit. Dunluce Castle is allegedly haunted. [13][14], By 1333, a small settlement is thought to have developed around the castle at Belfast. 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 Victorian structured Castle has a breathtaking view in the lough of the city and is positioned 120 m above sea level. 16 Things Belfast is Known and Famous For 1. 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. Rebuilding of the castle began in the early 1610s. Gerard MacAtasney and Christine Kenealy, 'The Great Hunger in Belfast' in John Crowley, William J. Smyth, and Mike Murphy (Editors). Happy travels! Alternatively, head to the Cellar Restaurant which serves Irish and British favourites within the castle building. Its quite challenging underfoot and steep in places but very rewarding. In the early 70s, it also featured on the inner sleeve of theLed ZeppelinalbumHouses of the Holy. [75] Ormeau House, where The 2nd Marquess of Donegall died in October 1844,[76] was eventually demolished in the late 1860s.[77][78]. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. The castle was built on a hill known as Castle Rock , a volcanic plug that formed following an eruption 340 million The castle boasts an antique shop, a restaurant and visitors centre. A second castle was constructed bySir Arthur Chichester, the baron of Belfast, on the same site in the year 1611. Hot food is served until 3pm. Castle on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, The current Belfast Castle, which was constructed in the late 1860s for. [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. Alskea: Donegall Park Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. These lands were redeveloped as housing estates, mainly in the 1950s and 1960s, leaving the chapel marooned in the middle of these new estates. WebThe Story of Belfast and Its Surroundings. It was situated in Belfast city centre on Castle Place. [60], Since the construction of the current Belfast Castle in the late 1860s, its sandstone walls and towers have been restored. It is said that he ensured the recovered bodies received a Catholic burial and arranged for the survivors to travel on to Scotland. 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). [74], Lord Donegall sold off Donegall House in the centre of Belfast in the early 1820s, establishing his main residence at Ormeau House thereafter.
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