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History of Malone House and Barnett Demesne
Located on the site of a 17th century fort, Malone House was built in
the 1820s for William Wallace Legge, a rich Belfast merchant who had inherited the surrounding land. A keen landscaper, he designed and planted most of the estate's grounds which remain relatively unchanged today.
When Legge died, ownership of Malone House passed to the Harberton family, who lived on the premises from 1868 to 1920.
The building's last owner was William Barnett, who presented Malone House to the city of Belfast in 1946.
Modern history
Following its presentation to the city, Malone House was leased to the National Trust in the early 1970s.After it was nearly destroyed by fire in 1976, the building was repaired by the council and reopened in June 1983.
Since then, it has become a major venue for weddings, conferences, social functions and other events, while the surrounding grounds are popular with walkers and cyclists.
