Malone House
Malone House
Located on the site of a 17th century fort, Malone House was built in the 1820s for William Wallace Legge, a rich Belfast merchant who had inherited the surrounding land. A keen landscaper, he designed and planted most of the estate's grounds, which remain relatively unchanged today.
When Legge died, ownership of Malone House passed to the Harberton family, who lived on the premises from 1868 to 1920. The building's last owner was William Barnett, who presented Malone House to the city of Belfast in 1946.
Following its presentation to the city, Malone House was leased to the National Trust in the early 1970s. After it was nearly destroyed by a fire in 1976, the building was repaired by the council and reopened in June 1983.
Since then, it has become a major venue for weddings, conferences, social functions and other events, while the surrounding grounds are popular with walkers and cyclists.
Malone House makes the ideal base for a great day out.
Barnett Demesne
Barnett Demesne located next to Malone House, was once a private estate but opened to the public in 1951. Today, the award-winning park retains much of the character of the original estate and is home to the Mountain Bike Trails and Jump Park.
Barnett Demesne is also popular with walkers and joggers due to its proximity to the River Lagan, Shaw's Bridge and nearby Clement Wilson Park. The park also includes eco-trails, orienteering routes and a children's playground.
Download walking route for Barnett Demesne (PDF - 1.47MB)
Public Art
Malone House and Barnett Demesne are home to several impressive pieces of public art, many of which have been funded by Belfast City Council.
The sculptures include:
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Owl by Niall Timmins
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Creature by Amanda Montgomery
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Love Seat by Owen Crawford
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Oark Throne by Ned Jackson Smyth
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Loss by Jane Mortimer
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Frog on a Log by Niall Timmins
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Oak Figures by Owen Crawford
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Ash Pole by Scott Butt
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Lizard by Niall Timmins
The pieces are located around the grounds of Malone House and are free to view. See how many you can spot on your next visit.
Find out more about public art projects in Belfast
Higgin Gallery
The Higgin Gallery, located on the first floor of Malone House, is the ideal place to browse work by local artists.
It's open from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm and 12pm to 4.30pm on Sundays. The gallery hosts monthly exhibitions, including work from art societies and associations, as well as solo artists.
Admission is free. For more information, call our Art Co-ordinator on 028 9077 7460