Crown Entry, Belfast

Crown Entry towards Ann Street (Hogg Collection/ NMNI)

CROWN ENTRY runs from 11, High Street to 8, Ann Street in Belfast.

It's in rather a sorry state at the time of writing (July, 2025); there is hope, however, that a new development at its Ann Street end will rejuvenate this historic entry in Belfast.

The large Woolworth's and Burton's block (now Dunne's Stores) of 1930 dominates the High street end; the Crown Entry side of Woolworth's was once a goods entrance according to my street directory.

Crown Entry: High Street entrance in 2025 (Timothy Ferres)

The original building where Dunne's now stands was the town hall of ca 1639; followed by the Market House of 1664.

This, therefore, is one of the most historical parts of old Belfast.

In my 1974 street directory Woolworth's eastern elevation was at 1-13 Crown Entry; and Etam Ltd. had a goods entrance at 4b.

Grandstand, presumably a turf accountant, occupied 10-12; the Capstan Lounge bar, number 14; and a side door of McMahon Ltd. was at number 16.

Crown Entry: Ann Street entrance in 2025 (Timothy Ferres)

The short-lived Society of United Irishmen was established in 1791 at the Crown Tavern.

One of the Tavern's renowned patrons was the tailor Corny Brennan who, Marcus Patton in his Central Belfast: A Historical Gazetteer, apprises us, "did not read or write, so could only pretend to use a measuring tape when assessing his clients, with predictable results."

The Crown Tavern, at 5 Crown Entry, faced on to High Street.

The Cave Bar served thirsty patrons at this entry in 1914.

James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862), dramatist and actor, had an elocution school at Crown Entry in 1812.

Marcus Patton suggests that Crown Entry might take its name from the proximity of a former custom house.

In 1760, the High Street end of Crown Entry was known as Pringle's Entry.

A significant archaeological excavation took place here in 2003.