About

Mary Ann's Poor House Tales – Clifton House Self-Guided Audio and AR Tour Experience

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 visitors will hear all about her work and endeavours, her family, and the people who shaped her journey. Visitors 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 these stories unfold and the house is explored, visitors 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. Glimpses into the nursery school, set up by her and the Ladies Committee, are included; along with views into the basement, where Mary Ann ensured women and children learnt a skill and trade to escape poverty; and scenes looking out the window into 18th Century Belfast, spotting the ship 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. It is recommended to check in advance to confirm available tour times and make a booking.

This new experience has been funded by Belfast City Council and Belfast Charitable Society.

Further Information

Free App Download: Mary Ann's Poor House Tales self-guided tour makes use of a free app, downloadable from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Clifton House has devices available to use with the app; however, visitors who prefer to use their own mobile device are advised to download the app in advance of their visit. Please note that there are sometimes compatibility issues with older devices; however, devices and headsets will be provided on arrival if the app fails to download on a personal mobile device.

Audio-Only Tour: Please note that the tour currently includes audio only and does not feature subtitles or BSL/ISL interpretation.

Available Languages: The audio is available in English, Irish, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

Headphones: Headphones are available to borrow at Clifton House. Visitors using their own device are encouraged to bring personal earphones to avoid any compatibility issues.

Tour Route: The self-guided tour takes place entirely on the ground floor of Clifton House and does not include access to the historic Board Room. To explore more of the site's history and visit Belfast's most historic room, fully guided tours led by expert volunteers are available.

Parking: Free onsite parking is available at Clifton House.

Accessibility: Please inform staff at least two days in advance of any accessibility requirements. While there are steps at the entrance, alternative arrangements can be made with prior notice.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled tour start time.