‘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.
One of Belfast city centre’s oldest and most historically significant entries, Sugarhouse, has reopened to the public after more than 50 years.
So 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’). Formed in 1791, the United Irishmen’s 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.
You can once again visit this historic entry which runs from High Street to Waring Street, parallel to Bridge Street.
We are looking forward to seeing the Sugarhouse Entry experience evolve in the coming years with (hopefully) some street decoration and art to bring it to life.
