Glenravel Project

Opened in the mid 1790's as the New Burying Ground, Clifton Street Cemetery has went on to become one of the most historically important sites in the whole of Belfast. It began as a burial ground for the old Poor House and has now developed into a unique place where the diverse history of our city can be told with ease. This is due to the fact that Catholic lies alongside Protestant; Rich with Poor; Nationalist with Unionist and every single one of them with a story to tell. In this programme Joe Baker, who has studied the history of the cemetery for many years, tells the tales of the founders of the United Irishmen, the victims of the terrible cholera epidemics which swept through the town at the height of the Irish famine as well as the ghastly activities of the Bodysnatchers who made off with corpses in the dead of night. Those with the slightest interest in the Belfast of yesteryear will enjoy this DVD and discover that the darker side of Belfast¹s history really is remarkable.

Official Website: www.cliftonstreetcemetery.com

There is no doubt that the Belfast Prison on the Crumlin Road has had a turbulent and troubled history. Since it was constructed at the height of the Irish Famine it has seen some remarkable changes and its thick walls have detained some remarkable people. Everyone from paupers to rich men, Members of Parliament to Suffragettes and Republicans to Loyalists have spent time behind its walls. Joe Baker and Michael Liggett are two of Belfast¹s most well known and respected local historians who have teamed up with Northern Visions TV to bring us this remarkable film version of their brilliant tour of the site. The prisons tenants are long gone now and its corridors and cells are silent but its history lives on.
                                              

There is no doubt that the Belfast Prison on the Crumlin Road has had a turbulent and troubled history. Since it was constructed at the height of the Irish Famine it has seen some remarkable changes and its thick walls have detained some remarkable people. Everyone from paupers to rich men, Members of Parliament to Suffragettes and Republicans to Loyalists have spent time behind its walls. Joe Baker and Michael Liggett are two of Belfast¹s most well known and respected local historians who have teamed up with Northern Visions TV to bring us this remarkable film version of their brilliant tour of the site. The prisons tenants are long gone now and its corridors and cells are silent but its history lives on.

                       
 

Over the past few years quite a few developments have been taking place throughout Belfast. One of these is the development of the so called Cathedral Quarter at the Northern end of the City Centre. Those responsible are making an attempt to create an area similar to Dublin¹s Temple Bar but, as anyone who knows both areas will be aware, it would seem that they are on a losing streak. These developers have also informed us that this area was the heart of industry and commerce on one hand and arts and culture on the other. But there is one massive feature which they are completely ignoring - the facts! This area was never known as Cathedral Quarter. The main bulk of the industry and commerce carried out in its narrow streets and entries was prostitution and as for the arts and culture, well that must be the modern developers term for crime and murder! In this programme Joe Baker, one of the most well known and respected local historians, takes us on a walk around this area and explains to us the facts of its history. We will hear stories that will fill us with sadness at how our great-grandparents lived and a few moments later laugh with the tales of what they got up to. Joe is one of the founders of the Glenravel Project who teamed up with Northern Visions to bring us this remarkable DVD. He has written over 150 publications on the subject of local history and in addition to the many newspaper articles he compiles he has also been involved in various other TV and radio programmes. This DVD presents to us the true history of this area, warts an all, and teachers the developers one main lesson. You can change the future but no matter how much money you have you can't change the past!