THE HISTORY OF BERRY STREET
I have always found it difficult to find accurate information about items/areas of interest that I come across during my visits to Belfast.
Berry Street Today: Berry Street is located in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s a vibrant area with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural establishments. One notable venue on Berry Street is the Old Berry Street Presbyterian Church, which has a rich history of revival and revival preaching. Another cultural experience offered on Berry Street is ‘The Belfast Story’, which provides an entertaining and educational journey that explores a myriad of topics along the way.
Madden’s Bar: Madden’s Bar is a popular nightlife spot located on Berry Street. It’s known for its traditional music and is considered one of the best pubs for Guinness in the city. The bar is highly rated and is ranked among the top nightlife spots in Belfast. It’s a place where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a pint, listen to live music, and soak up the authentic Irish pub atmosphere.
A few years ago I was provided with the following information:
"There was a great revival in building in Belfast in the 1750s and along with this went redevelopment of streets and lanes. Berry Street should actually be called Barry Street as it was named after Richard Barry who was a trustee of the Donegall estate. Previous to this it had been known as Factory Row. In April 1794/97 a small fever hospital opened in a rented house in Berry Street. It was rented for the sum of £20 per annum and contained 6 beds. From its foundation in April/May until June 1 it had received, cured and discharged 10 patients. It was the first fever hospital in Ireland and was known as The Belfast Fever Hospital and Dispensary. It was a predecessor of the Royal Victoria Hospital."
Recently, as I had developed some doubts, I decided to fact check the above claims:
Building Revival in Belfast in the 1750s: There was indeed significant development in Belfast during the late 18th century. However, the specific revival in the 1750s is not explicitly mentioned in the sources I found. The oldest building in Belfast, Clifton House, was built in the early 1770s. From the 1780s to the 1820s, Belfast improved its harbour, established iron founding and shipbuilding, and founded banks, educational institutions, and societies.
Berry Street vs Barry Street: Berry Street’s name might conjure up pleasant images of juicy fruits, but according to tradition the name’s origin is darker. It’s said that a mass grave was dug in the northernmost corner of the walled town, where Berry Street now lies, and that the street’s name comes from the verb ‘to bury’. There is a claim that Berry Street should actually be called Barry Street as it was named after Richard Barry who was a trustee of the Donegall estate, but this claim is not widely supported in the sources I found.
Belfast Fever Hospital and Dispensary: The Belfast Fever Hospital and General Dispensary indeed has its origins in a small fever hospital that opened in a rented house in Berry Street. However, the specific dates and details (opened in April 1794/97, rented for £20 per annum, contained 6 beds, received, cured and discharged 10 patients from its foundation in April/May until June 1) are not confirmed in the sources I found. The hospital was a predecessor of the Royal Victoria Hospital. It moved to West Street in 1799, and then to Frederick Street in 1817.
Berry Street Today: Berry Street is located in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s a vibrant area with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural establishments. One notable venue on Berry Street is the Old Berry Street Presbyterian Church, which has a rich history of revival and revival preaching. Another cultural experience offered on Berry Street is ‘The Belfast Story’, which provides an entertaining and educational journey that explores a myriad of topics along the way.
Madden’s Bar: Madden’s Bar is a popular nightlife spot located on Berry Street. It’s known for its traditional music and is considered one of the best pubs for Guinness in the city. The bar is highly rated and is ranked among the top nightlife spots in Belfast. It’s a place where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a pint, listen to live music, and soak up the authentic Irish pub atmosphere.
A few years ago I was provided with the following information:
"There was a great revival in building in Belfast in the 1750s and along with this went redevelopment of streets and lanes. Berry Street should actually be called Barry Street as it was named after Richard Barry who was a trustee of the Donegall estate. Previous to this it had been known as Factory Row. In April 1794/97 a small fever hospital opened in a rented house in Berry Street. It was rented for the sum of £20 per annum and contained 6 beds. From its foundation in April/May until June 1 it had received, cured and discharged 10 patients. It was the first fever hospital in Ireland and was known as The Belfast Fever Hospital and Dispensary. It was a predecessor of the Royal Victoria Hospital."
Recently, as I had developed some doubts, I decided to fact check the above claims:
Building Revival in Belfast in the 1750s: There was indeed significant development in Belfast during the late 18th century. However, the specific revival in the 1750s is not explicitly mentioned in the sources I found. The oldest building in Belfast, Clifton House, was built in the early 1770s. From the 1780s to the 1820s, Belfast improved its harbour, established iron founding and shipbuilding, and founded banks, educational institutions, and societies.
Berry Street vs Barry Street: Berry Street’s name might conjure up pleasant images of juicy fruits, but according to tradition the name’s origin is darker. It’s said that a mass grave was dug in the northernmost corner of the walled town, where Berry Street now lies, and that the street’s name comes from the verb ‘to bury’. There is a claim that Berry Street should actually be called Barry Street as it was named after Richard Barry who was a trustee of the Donegall estate, but this claim is not widely supported in the sources I found.
Belfast Fever Hospital and Dispensary: The Belfast Fever Hospital and General Dispensary indeed has its origins in a small fever hospital that opened in a rented house in Berry Street. However, the specific dates and details (opened in April 1794/97, rented for £20 per annum, contained 6 beds, received, cured and discharged 10 patients from its foundation in April/May until June 1) are not confirmed in the sources I found. The hospital was a predecessor of the Royal Victoria Hospital. It moved to West Street in 1799, and then to Frederick Street in 1817.
THE HISTORY OF BERRY STREET