The Abbeydene Blog

Tim and Ethy were delighted when they were recently(Sept 2011) awarded four stars for their Bed and Breakfast at Abbeydene House. All their friends and guests had been saying that it was about time that Abbeydene was rated but up until now Bed and Breakfasts in N.Ireland were not starred. Abbeydene is one of the first venues to be awarded four stars in N.Ireland.The visiting Inspector was most impressed with her stay and was very happy to award the four stars.
Abbeydene House is situated right at the start of the Giant’s Causeway Coastal Route.You can wiggle your way up the coast – stunning – to the Causeway and maybe catch the Motorway home. It takes a couple of hours to get there, an hour or two to walk around the Causeway and then maybe an hour or so motorwaying it back to Abbeydene. So it makes for a very pleasant and healthy day out.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ABBEYDENE HOUSE
(PREVIOUSLY LISMARA HOUSE)

1849: Land acquired by John Finlay (a rich flax merchant) for building.

1850: Abbeydene House (then Lismara House) was built by the celebrated architect, Charles Lanyon, for the Finlay family.

1860: John Finlay died and Abbeydene sold to another flax merchant,James Hind.

1885: James Hind went bust and was forced to sell Abbeydene. The new buyer was Herbert Lanyon, the son of Charles Lanyon (1813 – 1889).

1890: Herbert Lanyon died and Abbeydene sold to Edward Robinson (one half of Robinson & Cleaver – a very famous Belfast department store).

1915: Abbeydene was sold to Sir Crawford McCullough (proprietor of a ladies outfitters and the “Classic” Cinema in Castle Lane,Belfast).He was also the Lord Mayor of Belfast for many terms and knighted in 1918. He was the instigator of the two minute silence.

1945: (24th August) Sir Crawford entertains Dwight D. Eisenhower for lunch at Abbeydene after presenting him with the Freedom of the City. A photo can be seen of the party on the front steps of Abbeydene.

1948: Sir Crawford died (along with the Lismara name) and Abbeydene became an old peoples home – the House was the administration block and a dormitory block attached to the House.

1994: Fraser Homes Ltd acquired Abbeydene House and built forty-four luxury homes on it’s grounds. They surgically removed the dormitory block and totally reinstated Abbeydene – adding a third floor. Abbeydene House is a Grade B listed building.

1996: Abbeydene leased to F.G.Wilsons (now Caterpillar) for five years.

2003: Abbeydene bought by Tim and Ethy Clifford.

2008: Abbeydene House Bed and Breakfast was started.

2011: Abbeydene House Bed and Breakfast was awarded Four Stars by the Tourist Board…wow!

Abbeydene House is a luxurious and unique B&B in Belfast It is a gorgeous and impressive Victorian-era sandstone mansion. It retains much of its original design and good looks, but is also a remarkably convenient place to stay in this bustling and popular city.
For one thing, it is only ten minutes from the heart of Belfast. Here a traveler can partake of world-class shopping and dining experiences, enjoy excellent night life, and even visit the different cinemas and theatres of the area too.

For those who enjoy natural scenery, this B&B in Belfast is positioned perfectly for easy access to the Causeway Coastal Route as well. This is often a way that visitors to the Abbeydene Manor spend a full day of exploration. From Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast to a tour of the famous Glens, guests can really breathe in the sea air and get a glimpse at some of the most wonderful natural sites surrounding the city.

Local places such as Ballyrobert Cottage Garden and Patterson’s Spade Mill are fascinating. Walkers can simply take a casual stroll to Hazelbank Park too. This is located directly next to the house and takes the visitor all of the way down to the Belfast Lough shore. There is also immediate access to the Ulster Cycle Path from this point too.

It is unfortunate that bed and breakfast establishments have earned a reputation as a low-cost and convenient accommodation, when a B&B in Belfast such as the Abbeydene House is actually a somewhat luxurious experience.

When thinking of a comfortable, opulent, and interesting accommodation in Belfast, it is also important to consider convenience as well. Abbeydene House has this to offer being only ten to twenty minutes from major travel hubs as well as downtown Belfast.

A B and B in Belfast has long been considered the “classic” traveler’s accommodation. This tends to be because it seems that the Irish have perfected the entire B and B experience, but there are few locations where this could be truer than in Abbeydene House. This is a B and B in Belfast which is the epitome of charm and elegance, but which is also ideally positioned for almost any kind of traveler.
For example, it is the perfect B and B in Belfast for visitors hoping to make a lengthy and leisurely exploration of the Causeway Coastal Route. This is because the property is located at the very beginning of the Causeway Coastal Route which will take you through the popular Glens of Antrim.

This is also a fantastic B and B in Belfast for those hoping to really explore the city as well. This is because the property is less than fifteen minutes from the bustling city centre. This puts such locations as the Odyssey Arena, the shopping and theatre districts, and the many fine restaurants and night spots within easy and convenient reach of the traveler.

Naturally, there are many outdoor activities for visitors to the property, and there are two equestrian centers, the Belfast Zoo, fly fishing opportunities, and several golf courses all within twenty minutes of Abbeydene House.

Not looking to head into the countryside or even into the heart of the city? That’s fine because the property and grounds surrounding Abbeydene House have plenty to offer as well. For instance, the neighboring park is Hazelbank Park, and a visitor can take a leisurely and scenic stroll down to the Belfast Lough and along the promenade to the beach. Alternately, they can cycle for hours along the entire Ulster Cycle Path – right into Belfast city centre.

A guest who just wants to “kick back” and relax will also appreciate Abbeydene House.There is a library of over a thousand DVD’s to choose from.

The idea of staying in a bed and breakfast in Belfast may not appeal to those used to the many luxuries of a standard European hotel, but Abbeydene Manor is far different from the traditional guest house experience.

For one thing, it is a bed and breakfast in Belfast that is positioned in a somewhat optimal location. What does that mean? Well, in only eight to ten minutes’ time, a visitor can easily reach the Odyssey Arena where high-quality concerts are enjoyed on a year-round basis. That same span of time gets them to the Belfast City Center where theatres, restaurants, concert halls and shopping are available in abundance.

Not interested in spending your time in the heart of a city? Well, the Abbeydene Manor is also a remarkably convenient bed and breakfast in Belfast for those who want to enjoy the Causeway Coastal route too. Abbeydene House is located at the start of the Antrim Coast road to the Giant’s Causeway – a UNESCO Heritage Site.
If the visitor would prefer a walk, the lovely Hazelbank Park next door to Abbeydene House takes the traveler gently and comfortably down to the shore of Belfast Lough or along the Ulster Cycle Path.

Naturally, a bed and breakfast in Belfast needs to be convenient for everyone arriving in the area, and Abbeydene House is roughly ten to fifteen minutes from the major Europa Bus Terminal, the Ferry Terminals, the Belfast City Airport, and the train station. The Belfast International Airport is also only twenty minutes by car as well.

Of course, a convenient location is fine, but what about services and facilities? Abbeydene House is a Victorian-era mansion. It offers a “world of music” with frequent visits from some of the finest musicians and bands around.

A bed and breakfast in not just a convenient way to stay in a popular area, and can be a somewhat luxurious experience. This is especially the case for those who pay a visit to Abbeydene House.