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Pottingers Court, BELFAST, BT1 4DU

An entry off Pottinger’s Entry Image At one time there were five small houses. At least two were occupied until the early 1970’s when they were vacated after a fire. Now replaced by the red building at middle right. The Morning Star Image occupies the entire southern (left) side. Continue to Image

A plaque, in Joy’s Entry Image, giving a short history of the thoroughfare. It records that it was named after Francis Joy – founder of the “News” Letter” Image and grandfather of Henry Joy McCracken Image It includes two references which might not be entirely accurate – one a spelling and the other a date.

See Image What makes this one of interest is the survival of some of the (once common) white tiles (above the modern blue ones) on the building at the corner of Pottinger’s Court and Pottinger’s Entry.

The Pottinger’s Entry side (looking towards Ann Street) of the “Hi park”.

See Image A similar view but with the Christmas lights switched on.

The streets around High Street were popular as boarding points for the various stage coaches connecting Belfast with neighbouring towns (and those further afield). The “Morning Star”, in Pottingers Entry, off High Street, was a coaching inn dating from the early part of the 19th century. It has survived without modernisation but has not achieved the celebrity status of houses such as the “Crown” or “Kelly Cellars”. This lion (said to be the winged lion of St Mark) stands above the main door.

See Image Pottinger’s Entry, also runs from Ann Street to High Street. It is an example of how to destroy a historic and atmospheric thoroughfare by demolishing most of one side and replacing it with a multi-storey car park. The view is towards High Street with the “Morning Star” on the left and Pottinger’s Court running off to the left alongside it.

The area around High Street was, in the 17th and 18th centuries the commercial centre of Belfast. It was close to the (old) quays and was one of the departure points for stagecoach services. It contained a number of hostelries and was, doubtless, the haunt of rouges, vagabonds and cutpurses. It still has that feeling today. The view is from Ann Street to High Street. Image shows the same view in April 2011.

See Image Almost four years later the place looks just the same but, with most bars now opening for Sunday lunch, staff in early and an increase in the number of people wandering about, a bit less intimidating. The view is from the Ann Street end. Continue to Image

Heading SSE from High Street to Ann Street