Warehouse Lane 1600s Belfast Heartland of Cotton Wool and Linen Warehouses

Warehouse Lane lies just a few yards along Waring Street from the recently restored and reopened Sugarhouse Entry. Although not formally included in the list of Belfast Entries it is an entry or lane and it does survive from the mid 1600s. Back then it was certainly at the heart of Belfast industrial activity. Along the lane there were numerous cotton, woollen and linen warehouses. Unlike Sugarhouse entry, Warehouse Lane largely survived the Belfast Blitz.
The Muddlers Club restaurant is also to be found along the lane. The Muddlers Club of 2015, was named after the United Irishmen secret society that met in the nearby Sugarhouse entry in the 1790s.

[@mikedrown2721]

This is fascinating history, thanks Tom

[@TomMcClean]

Thanks Mike. I love investigating it too. Belfast was at the centre of an international trade back then. All gone now though.

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Hello Tom , i do find the lane's interesting , we have a couple here in Victoria one is quite famous "FanTan Alley " they made a few movies using it . Thanks Tom.

[@TomMcClean]

These were the founding streets that Belfast was built around Shaun. Belfast is relatively recent though. there wasn't much here pre 1600. Carrickfergus and Donaghadee were main ports pre 1600 then Belfast took them over.

[@sid2112]

I want to deep dive this place!

[@TomMcClean]

Yes there is fascinating history when you look for it Sid but I'm afraid, don't go after dark. Back in the olden days these dark narrow streets were not places to venture either. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.

[@sid2112]

@@TomMcClean Thanks Tom, and please be safe in these troubled times.

[@TomMcClean]

Thanks for that Sid. I'm no hero!

[@chriswardlow9441]

What a story these places could tell if they could talk Tom, this is history that i dare say is little known about outside Northern Ireland.

[@TomMcClean]

Correct Chris. I reckon this history etc is little known even by many in N Ireland. You will not believe this but we who went to Protestant or State Grammar schools, got taught very very little Irish geography, English Literature or History. We were taught to pass English exams set by English Boards so that, those who did well, would be accepted into prestigious English universities, like Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews and the like.