Name: Mary Ann's Poor House Tales - Self Guided Tour of Clifton House
Start: 2026-04-19T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-19T12:00:00+01:00
Location: 2 North Queen Street , BT15 1ES Belfast, United Kingdom

Mary Ann's Poor House Tales - Self Guided Tour of Clifton House

Mary Ann McCracken (1770 – 1866) was a remarkable woman who, throughout her life, fought for the rights of the poor and disadvantaged in her hometown of Belfast and further afield. Her life is inextricably linked to the Belfast Poor House.
Mary Ann was just six years old when she first visited the Belfast Poor House. From that day on she worked tirelessly to support and uplift the poor, and her influence within the house left a legacy that can still be felt today.
Mary Ann’s Poor House Tales is a 30-minute self-guided audio and AR tour experience of Clifton House, during which you will hear all about her work and endeavours, her family, and the people who shaped her journey. You will also learn about some of the people who Mary Ann helped and supported; residents of the Poor House whose stories deserve to be told. As you listen to these stories and explore the house, you will stroll through the same hallways that Mary Ann walked every day.
This tour experience includes augmented reality (AR), bringing Mary Ann’s Poor House tales to life. Glimpse into the nursery school, set up by her and the Ladies Committee; see into the basement, where Mary Ann ensured women and children learnt a skill and trade to escape poverty; and gaze out the window into 18th Century Belfast, and spot the ships masts as Mary Ann would have seen as a child.
Please note: Clifton House remains a working building, hosting conferences, talks, and events in addition to tours. For this reason, availability for self-guided tours will change on a weekly basis. We recommend checking in advance to confirm available tour times and make your booking.
This new experience has been funded by Belfast City Council and Belfast Charitable Society.