Clifton House looks like a grand mansion though in fact it was built to offer shelter to the poor and destitute of the city. Opened in 1774, its occupants were given regular meals, shelter and work to do such as spinning, weaving and net making. Today, the Belfast Charitable Society, by whom Clifton House was originally set up still carries out charitable welfare work. It's also an events and conference centre - I've been there a couple of times for lectures and a work away day. The hallway and upstairs reception rooms are spacious and grand, though it is not especially comfortable. Still, it is quite hard to see Clifton House as anything other than a fine residence, not a poor house, though there is a slightly institutional air about the place. read more