Old Belfast : Its Origin and Progress. 47 



places existed on and around the site of the present city, of 

 which that at Fortwilliam may be taken as an example. Many 

 others existed which have disappeared, but M'Art's Fort still 

 remains the most prominent object in our landscape. Such 

 was the condition of the district undei the rule of the O'Neills, 

 of Clandeboye, Belfast being simply a ford at low water across 

 the Lagan, while on the narrow tongue of land between the 

 Farset and the BlackstafF stood a small castle or fortified pile, 

 and nearer to its extremity a chapel, wherein travellers could 

 offer up their prayers before venturing across the ford, which 

 could only be crossed at low water. At this time Carrickfergus 

 was the most important place in Ulster, and long continued 

 the superior of Belfast. In 1571 yueen Elizabeth granted the 

 Castle of Belfast and large tracts in Down and Antrim to Sir 

 Thomas Smith, and in 1573 the same district was re-granted 

 to the Earl of Essex. Although neither grantee was able to 

 carry out the conditions attached to the grant, it involved their 

 descendants in difficulties which lasted until the succeeding 

 reign. While English courtiers were parcelling out the country 

 on parchment the O'Neills still governed Clandeboye from their 

 residence of Castlereagh, until on the occasion of a grand 

 debauch being held. Con O'Neill sent his servants to purchase 

 wine at Belfast, they came in collision with some English 

 soldiers stationed in the Castle ; the final result of which was 

 the downfall of the house of O'Neill of Clandeboye. 



On November 5th, 1603, Sir Arthur Chichester received a 

 grant from James I. of the whole district, and from this practically 

 dates the founding of the city of Belfast. He erected a castle 

 on the site of the older one, which had passed through so many 

 vicissitudes, and in 161 2 received the title of Baron of Belfast. 

 The town had so far progressed that in 161 3 it was created a 

 Corporation, and probably at this time was granted a coat of 

 arms. After this the little town progressed quietly and steadily 

 until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1641, which caused 

 considerable consternation in Belfast, with the result that the 

 people of the town and neighbourhood erected a rampart for 



