The Entries

The oldest part of Belfast, around High St, suffered considerable damage from WWII bombing. The narrow alleyways running off High and Ann Sts, known as the Entries, were once bustling commercial and residential centres: Pottinger's Entry, for example, had 34 houses in 1822.

Joy's Entry is named after Francis Joy, who founded the Belfast News Letter in 1737, the first daily newspaper in the British Isles (and still in business). One of his grandsons, Henry Joy McCracken, was executed for supporting the 1798 United Irishmen's revolt.

The United Irishmen were founded in 1791 by Wolfe Tone in Peggy Barclay's tavern in Crown Entry, and used to meet in Kelly's Cellars (1720) on Bank St, off Royal Ave. White's Tavern (1630), on Wine Cellar Entry, is the oldest tavern in the city and is still a popular lunch-time meeting spot.