Tour of Enlightenment Belfast - led by John Gray

A guided walk around sites in the immediate vicinity of the Historic Assembly Rooms which were at the Heart of 18th century Belfast. Gather and finish at the Assembly Rooms The Assembly Rooms were at the centre of 18th century Belfast. In the immediate vicinity we visit the sites of Samuel Neilson’s woolen shop, David Manson’s progressive school, the lying in hospital for poor women, and the premises of the Belfast Newsletter. In Rosemary Street where there were once three Presbyterian churches we consider their importance and visit the last survivor. At Castle Junction we hear of the fate of the castle and of the continuing importance of the Donegall family. In High Street we visit the entries where the McCracken family once lived, where the Society of United Irishmen was founded, and where their newspaper, The Northern Star was published. We see the site where United Irish prisoners were executed in 1798. We return towards the Assembly Rooms via Sugar House entry where the Benjamin Franklin pub is a facsimile of the 18th century original. The event is free/ donations welcomed Booking essential