Saturday 29 October 2022

Terrace Hill House

TERRACE HILL HOUSE was located in the townland of Ballynahatty, Edenderry, on the outskirts of Belfast.

It was close to Minnowburn, now a property of the National Trust.

Frederick Russell (1811-76) was Terrace Hill's first owner, having been brought up at Edenderry House.

The original house of ca 1856 was said to have been commodious, with servants' quarters.
At least as early as 1780 there was a bleach-green in Edenderry which belonged to John Russell, but in the 1830s the Russell family gave up linen bleaching and converted their premises into a flour mill drawn by water power. At this period (1780) the Russells, later associated with Newforge, were settled at Edenderry.
When Russell died, Terrace Hill House was briefly occupied by a family called Ferguson before becoming the home of Matthew Coates, who lived there with his wife ca 1898.

Freddy’s Steps were first constructed by Frederick Russell in late 1800s and are the most direct route to Terrace Hill viewpoint at Minnowburn.

In the County Down land deeds of 1876, "Frederick Russell, address Ballynahatty, Newtownbreda, owned 18 acres." 

Several years later, in the early 20th century, Terrace Hill was purchased by Edward (Ned) Robinson, proprietor of the Robinson & Cleaver's department store in Belfast.

When Robinson sold his interest in the store he demolished Terrace Hill House and, in 1936, built a new residence (still called Terrace Hill).

It was designed by the architects Young & Mackenzie.

Terrace Hill House is surrounded by lawns, gardens and a swimming pool, and was occupied by Mr Robinson until his death in 1947.

In the 1980s, it was a residential home for children.

The farm buildings, now the National Trust warden's office, were the base for Minnowburn Youth Farm.

The house was for sale in October, 2014, and now has a new owner.

Robinson & Cleaver's Royal Irish Linen Warehouse, Donegall Square North, was built 1886-88 by Young and Mackenzie. It used to be one of Belfast's finest department stores. Fifty heads of the store's erstwhile patrons still pop out of the exterior, including Queen Victoria and the Maharajah of Cooch Behar.

First published in February, 2011.

20 comments :

Anonymous said...

Tim, recently saw a photograph of the current, 1930s, house. Apparently it's nigh on 10,000 sq. ft.!

W.

The Earl Bishop said...

Ahh... excellent info. I always wondered about the busts on the facade.

Anonymous said...

And went up for sale with templeton robinson for 750k

Anonymous said...

The current offer is at 800k

Unknown said...

Used to be a kid here at the home loved the farm the staff at farm were brillant

Linda Tenny said...

I also used to live at Terrace Hill Children's Home. I now live in the United States and will be home April 2020.I have so many amazing memories from my time living there. I would love to be able to visit. Is it privately or personally owned right now? Is there anyway to make contact with someone to find out if its possible to visit? Thank you for any information you can gave.Linda Tenny.

Unknown said...

I lived here too for 5 years

Unknown said...

Hi I used to live here too how long ago was it

Gerwyn said...

I lived tat TerraceHill children’s home for many many many years, until I moved to canada. Still in contact with mervin! I own a farm in canada now but due a trip home.

Jonny Lee said...

I use to visit terrace hill when I was young, had friends who lived there who were in the boys brigade with myself, I went to several Christmas parties, use to go back there on Saturday afternoons after football, I have some great memories but the ones I was friends with then I cant find any information for them, if any one can help it would be appreciated, it was around the mid 80s I would have been there

Unknown said...

Was a resident here myself. Can't remember much to be honest.

Unknown said...

I lived here for 9 months in the late 80's with my sister. We had great fun at times. Gillian our key worker was fab. Anyone know how she is doing?? And i remember mervin well.

Unknown said...

I worked in Terrace Hill from 1974 until 1982. We had 17 children it was an amazing place to be. Greattt memories. Xxxxx

Anonymous said...

I lived here for several months. Why did it close down?

billy mccloskey said...

billy mccloskey i was there for 7 months i was only 1 of 2 cathloics living there it was good at times and other times had a few bad exsperence that was 1977 if anyone out there who was in there at the same time as me plz get in touch by facebook

billy mccloskey said...

billy mccloskey i was there for 7 months i was only 1 of 2 cathloics living there it was good at times and other times had a few bad exsperence that was 1977 if anyone out there who was in there at the same time as me plz get in touch by facebook

Anonymous said...

My brother and I would have been there during this time

Jonny Lee said...

Does anyone remember a Ronald Davies and a Samuel Robinson that lived in the house, around the mid to late 80s, these were my 2 friends that I used to visit in the house, long lost touch with them but would've always liked to have known how they got on in life, if anyone knew them or knows them now I would love to get in touch

Anonymous said...

Hi I lived here also, with the Simms then the Hewitt's, and had many a good day and bad days, but am grateful for the people who looked after us all,

Anonymous said...

anyone know a sammy robinson that used to be housed here my family used to be real good to him think his name is samuel robinson would love to get in contact pm me if you know of his whwreabouts