One of Belfast city centre’s oldest and most historically significant entries, Sugarhouse, has reopened to the public after more than 50 years.
Named because it was the site of one of the city’s two sugar refineries, Sugarhouse Entry was fortunate to survive the destruction of large sections of High Street during the Belfast Blitz in 1941.
Sugarhouse Entry was once the site of the Dr Franklin Tavern, meeting place of the United Irishmen (also known as The Muddler’s Club).
Sugarhouse Entry off Waring Street in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
Their leader, Henry Joy McCracken, was brought to Sugarhouse Entry by his sister, anti-slavery campaigner Mary Ann McCracken, to receive medical attention in the forlorn hope of resuscitating him after his public hanging at Cornmarket in 1798.
Following extensive cleansing, repair work, repainting, installation of new paving and interpretive signage, funded by the Department for Communities and managed by Belfast City Council, people can once again visit the historic entry which runs from High Street to Waring Street, parallel to Bridge Street.
Councillor Sam Nelson, said: “Belfast’s historic entries are such an important, distinctive part of our city centre’s built environment.
“They also enhance the city centre’s accessibility, improve wayfinding, and add interesting layers to the visitor experience.
“Thanks to funding from the Department for Communities, we’ve been able to transform these unique entries into vibrant places that are safe, welcoming, and thought provoking.
“It’s fantastic to see residents and visitors exploring the entries and bringing them to life again – and I’m sure that Sugarhouse Entry will become a popular stop off for many of the fascinating walking tours in Belfast.”
He added: “This is another part of the revitalisation jigsaw slotting into place, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Northern Ireland Assembly, relevant Stormont departments, traders and their representatives, the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and all our statutory partners to build a city centre that’s welcoming, safe, accessible and attractive for everyone.”
The entry has undergone extensive cleaning and repair work (Liam McBurney/PA)
The Entries is a network of narrow alleyways in the heart of Belfast dating back to the 1600s, were once home to dense housing, pubs, businesses and more, but became overlooked and neglected over the years.
Eleven of The Entries have now been restored.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this exciting project.
“The Entries are of great historic significance, enhancing the rich heritage of Belfast while providing opportunities for new walking routes around the city centre.
“The first phase of the Entries Project has proven to be a great success and my department believes the entries regenerated in the second phase will have a similar, positive impact on the city.”