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The Site of Mullan Mews - A Short History
The area now known as Willowfield first received the name when William Mullan built his home in the area in 1835. He leased the land from the Lord Donegall who, at the time, owned all of the lands of Ballymacarrett.
The land was later bought outright by Mullan when the lands of Ballynafoy and Ballymacarrett were sold off by Lord Donegall. The name of Willowfield was given to the house and estate by William Mullan as the land was filled with willows.
Mullan himself was a very successful trader in Belfast and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He became an Alderman in 1856 and was made Mayor of the town of Belfast in 1866.
In 1868 he donated part of the estate to the Church of Ireland - it was here that Willowfield Parish Church was built and Mullan himself became a lay member.
The house was one of three large estates on that part of the road, the others being Nettlefield and Jocelyn Cottage. There was also a village of workers called Gooseberry Corner in the area. The estate was later sold to the Vint family – a well know wine and spirit merchant in the city.
Part of the land was later sold for housing but 20 acres remained along with the Gate Lodge which was sited where the Police Station now stands.
In 1905 the estate was sold to the Sisters of the Cross and Passion and the house was, for the next 70 years, used as a convent. It was subsequently taken over by the Belfast Education and Library Board – this closed in 2000 and the building was destroyed by fire in 2003.
The perimeter wall around Mullan Mews is the last remnant of Willowfield House.
Written by Local historian, Bobby Cosgrove, son of Madge Cosgrove, Mullan Mews.
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