The Belfast Entries
Encyclopedia
The Belfast Entries are a series of historical narrow alleyways in the city centre of Belfast
, Northern Ireland
, mostly in the vicinity of High Street and Ann Street. When the town was first laid out, these alleyways serviced dense residential and commercial development. The surviving examples retain pockets of histoic development including many Victorian
and pre-Victorian period pubs
, some of which remain open for business to this day. Former Social Development Minister David Hanson
described the Entries as the streets "where Belfast began and developed into the city it is today". Dating back to at least – and most probably earlier than – 1630, these entries are the oldest parts of Belfast city.
The entries running north from High Street were largely destroyed during the Belfast Blitz
in World War II
. Despite this, some remain. In 2006 and 2007, a number of the Entries underwent environmental refurbishment to improve their condition.
founded in 1630. Whilst considered to be the longest serving pub in Belfast, it has largely been rebuilt after a fire in the 1990s and retains little historic fabric.
and his grandson Henry Joy McCracken
, after whom the pub is named.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, mostly in the vicinity of High Street and Ann Street. When the town was first laid out, these alleyways serviced dense residential and commercial development. The surviving examples retain pockets of histoic development including many Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and pre-Victorian period pubs
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, some of which remain open for business to this day. Former Social Development Minister David Hanson
David Hanson (politician)
David George Hanson is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Delyn since 1992. He was the Minister of State for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing from 2009 to 2010...
described the Entries as the streets "where Belfast began and developed into the city it is today". Dating back to at least – and most probably earlier than – 1630, these entries are the oldest parts of Belfast city.
The entries running north from High Street were largely destroyed during the Belfast Blitz
Belfast Blitz
The Belfast Blitz was an event that occurred on the night of Easter Tuesday, 15 April 1941 during World War II. Two hundred bombers of the German Air Force attacked the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Nearly one thousand people died as a result of the bombing and 1,500 were injured. In terms...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Despite this, some remain. In 2006 and 2007, a number of the Entries underwent environmental refurbishment to improve their condition.
Pottinger's Entry
Pottinger's Entry connects Ann Street with High Street in almost a straight line. The principal attraction is a Victorian pub, The Morning Star. The arched entrance from Ann Street is also Victorian and was retained when the original building was demolished in the 1990s. This entrance is a popular spot for buskers. This is undoubtedly the most obvious of the Entries, featuring large wrought-iron signs above each entrance archway.Winecellar Entry
A small Entry just off Lombard Street, Winecellar Entry is home to White's Tavern, a pubPublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
founded in 1630. Whilst considered to be the longest serving pub in Belfast, it has largely been rebuilt after a fire in the 1990s and retains little historic fabric.
Joy's Entry
Joy's Entry is particularly narrow and connects Ann Street to High Street. It has several pubs, such as McCrackens Cafe Bar. The Entry takes its name from the Joy family who were prominent 18th Century residents of the city. Francis Joy McCracken, founder of the Belfast NewsletterThe News Letter
The News Letter is one of Northern Ireland's main daily newspapers, published Monday to Saturday. It is the oldest English language general daily newspaper still in publication in the world, having first been printed in 1737....
and his grandson Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken
Henry Joy McCracken was an Irish industrialist and a founding member of the Society of the United Irishmen.-History:...
, after whom the pub is named.