Status : Closed
739-745 antrim road, Belfast
Its name is derived from Lord Shaftesbury (1801-1885), the great social reformer, who was mainly responsible for legislation which reduced the misery of the Industrial Revolution. Next door in ‘Ard Ri’ at the beginning of this century lived another great reformer, and one of the most remarkable Irishmen of his generation – Francis Joseph Bigger. He was the 7th son of a 7th son, which is reputed to signify somebody special, and he certainly was – solicitor, antiquarian, lover of Irish history and culture, and even restorer and reformer of old Irish inns (see The Crown and The Shamrock).
Notice the attractive clean, white exterior, but if you are looking for the olde worlde atmosphere inside, you will be sadly disappointed. Downstairs is more like a Cocktail Bar, ultra modern and clinically clean but I’m afraid, I found devoid of atmosphere. Immediately I opened the door to the upstairs bar, I was greeted with the waft of turf smoke – surely one of the most wonderful aromas ever to waft across our fair land. Again the interior was in sharp contrast to the inviting smell. I don’t really know what I expected. I liked the front of the lounge, with its row of small balustrade pillars, unusual ceiling, and the cinemascope view of Belfast Lough and the North Down coastline. I didn’t like the Georgian pillars which looked completely out of place, but I certainly did like the lovely library alcove lined with shelves and books – a lovely touch. This alone was worth the visit here.
It’s a pity that the designers didn’t continue on with the literary theme. It would have been an appropriate monument to its illustrious neighbour.