A historic entry where Irish rebels would meet has reopened to the public after more than 50 years.
Following extensive cleaning and repairs the gates to Sugarhouse Entry, which runs parallel to Bridge Street between High Street and Waring Street, have reopened for the first time since 1972.
So named because it was the site of one of the city’s two sugar refineries, the Entry was once the site of the Dr Franklin Tavern, meeting place of the United Irishmen, also known as ‘The Muddler’s Club’.
Formed in 1791, their aim was to unite Protestants, Catholics and Dissenters to remove English rule. 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.
‘The Entries’, 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.
Now, 11 entries have been transformed through a series of place-making interventions, including artworks, lighting, signage and cleansing.
Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Sam Nelson, said they will enhance accessibility, improve wayfinding, and add interesting layers to the visitor experience
“Belfast’s historic entries are such an important, distinctive part of our city centre’s built environment,” he said.
“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.”
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said 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.