Clifton House

Clifton House Heritage Centre was the original Poor House of Belfast. Now restored to its former Georgian elegance it is a truly unique setting for tours, talks and events.

Clifton House is an impressive Georgian building, set in tranquil landscaped gardens in the heart of Belfast. Opened in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, the building was used until the late 1880s as Belfast’s Poor House.  A great deal of what we take for granted in the city of Belfast today owes its origins to The Belfast Charitable Society. The foundation of social welfare, the supply of clean water, the city’s first hospital, funeral services, the beginnings of a police service and a municipal burial ground all began with the launch of the Society.  Clifton House was entirely renovated and now is home to our archive, heritage and conference centre, residential home and sheltered accommodation. The heritage centre is available for hire for a variety of events including meetings, exhibitions, AGMs, workshops, conferences, dinner and receptions. We run tours of the heritage centre to tell the story of this truly remarkable building.

Clifton House's Content

Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

Belfast Charitable Society are proud to announce the return of our Reconciliation Fund supported President’s Talk Series, in conjunction with Dr Eamon Phoenix and other noted historians.
Dates:
03 February 202210 February 202217 February 202224 February 202203 March 2022
Belfast
Event

Clifton House

The magic is in the history!! Join us for a special family Children’s Crafty Christmas in the Poor House.
Dates:
04 December 202111 December 202118 December 2021
Belfast
Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation is proud to announce that the Inaugural Annual Mary Ann McCracken Lecture will be held on 18 November at 7pm via Zoom. This first lecture will explore the experience of women in Afghanistan.
Dates:
18 November 2021
Belfast
Event

Clifton House

Belfast Charitable Society are proud to announce the return of our Reconciliation Fund supported Autumn Talk Series, in conjunction with Dr Eamon Phoenix and other noted historians.
Dates:
04 November 202111 November 202125 November 202102 November 202109 November 2021
Belfast
Event
Outdoor Activity

Clifton House

Explore Clifton Street Cemetery this Halloween weekend and discover its darker side!
Dates:
29 October 202230 October 202229 October 202230 October 2022
Belfast
Event
Art & Culture Outdoor Activity

Clifton House

Experience Mary Ann McCracken’s Belfast, as you walk in the footsteps of this remarkable abolitionist, philanthropist and social reformer. Mary Ann McCracken, who was born over 250 years ago, is intrinsically linked to the city of Belfast.
Dates:
22 July 202229 July 202205 August 202212 August 202219 August 202226 August 202202 September 202209 September 202216 September 202223 September 202230 September 202207 October 202214 October 202221 October 202228 October 2022
Belfast
Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

As part of the Mary Ann McCracken 250 series of events Clifton House are proud to host this talk exploring how Mary Ann McCracken’s story has been written throughout the years.
Dates:
09 July 2021
Belfast
Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

As part of the Mary Ann McCracken 250 series of events the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation are proud to host this event, on the 251st anniversary of her birth, now featuring Baroness May Blood, a 'current day Mary Ann'.
Dates:
08 July 2021
Belfast
Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

As part of the Mary Ann McCracken 250 series of events Clifton House are proud to host this talk exploring what the Poor House was like for the children who were admitted to the institution from when it opened its doors in 1774 through to the 1880s when the last child left the Poor House.
Dates:
02 July 2021
Belfast
Event
Online / Virtual

Clifton House

As part of the Mary Ann McCracken 250 series of events Clifton House are proud to host this talk exploring the lives of the women who were involved with the Belfast Charitable Society.
Dates:
25 June 2021
Belfast

More Information

Type of Organisation

VCSE

Team

  • Lucy Fraser