Brackenber Research

I paid PRONI a visit in 2011 in order to carry out some research on my old prep school, Brackenber House:-

The very first entry in the Belfast street directory that I could see was for Cherry Hill House in 1852.

It was built for the Ward family, erstwhile gunpowder merchants, damask and table linen manufacturers.

Thomas Ward carried out business at 25 Bridge Street in Belfast (close to High Street); and, in 1852, his residence was Cherry Hill (Brackenber) at Malone.

I received an email from John Ward in October, 2022:-

"Good Afternoon,

"You quite often mention Brackenber."

"It was built by my great grandfather James Ward he called it Cherry Hill; he had previously lived at Strawberry Hill near Lisburn."

"Cherry Hill occupied about approx 8.5 acres and went down to the Lagan."

"He must have been a right prig because the street before  CherryHill was opened by him so that his servants would not use the main entrance." 

"He died in Los Angeles in 1914 and his body was brought back to Belfast and buried in the family grave at Drumbeg."

"Sadly my brother Patrick is also there. He was a medical student at Queens and drowned in a sailing accident in England while sailing for the university."

"Cherry Hill went to my great uncle, also James Ward. They owned 3 linen firms in Belfast and Lisburn and quite a bit of property."

"I was born in Belfast in 1934, christened by my great-uncle Dean Dowse in St Thomas, Lisburn Road; and my christening party was one of the last events at Cherry Hill."

I lived near Millisle when I was in the linen business but I did not want my children growing up in NI(sadly) so I now live in Brisbane, Oz." 

"Cheers, John Earls."

"PS: on the other side my grandfather Professor John Earls was principal of the ’Tec and had a chair in maths at Queen's."

In 1876, Cherry Hill extended to twelve acres.

Cherry Hill was between Adelaide House and Montpelier House where, in 1863, the Rev John Wrixton, Rector of St John's Malone, resided.

A Miss Ward still lived at Cherry Hill in 1924.

By the 1930s, Brackenber House School had opened at 29/33 Windsor Park, Belfast.

In July,1939, Cherryhill was purchased by Brackenber for £2,250 (£115,000 in today's money), subject to a ground rent of £15.

By August, 1939, the grounds at Cherryhill had been levelled and left in a fairly tidy condition.

At the back of the house, the land was now square, a portion having been allotted to one of the new houses. Sewers and water supply were to be tested, too.

The interior of house was inspected and practically all pipes, baths etc were taken out and renewed by Mr Wadman.

The roof was inspected for dry-rot or wood beetle.

A new gas supply was provided.

On the 26th October, 1939, the estate agent, Mr McConnell, had a conversation with Mr Harkness and Mr Kerr after inspection of Cherryhill house.

There was talk of some woodworm; Mr Harkness would be prepared to accept a price of £3,750 free of rent, including approximately one and a half acres.

The ground floor of what was to become Brackenber had four reception  rooms; first floor, five main bedrooms, three smaller rooms and bathroom; second floor, five main bedrooms, two smaller rooms etc.

The House was considered suitable for a hostel, school etc.

Re the grounds: “The land round the house … will be very considerably curtailed; the major part is on a slope; land badly cut up by removal of trees".

The House: of sandstone, most substantially built; roof slated; leadwork and spouts require attention; outside woodwork need painting.

Surveyors were asked to examine a fence along the south boundary (Cleaver Avenue side), which was in a very bad state of repair.

Several of the posts had rotted; consequently the fence was lying over.

Also, a good many of the slats were missing.

The interior of the house was inspected and practically all pipes, baths etc were taken out and renewed by Mr Wadman.

The roof was inspected for dry-rot or wood beetle.

A new gas supply was provided.

I expect to revisit PRONI and undertake further research on the school.

First published in April, 2011.