The Crumlin Road Gaol closed its doors for the last time in March 1996. It had been in use since Victorian times. In 1852 it was known as The New Gaol. The 1852 Directory of Belfast and Province of Ulster said that the building "stands in a very elevated and healthy situation, outside the town, on an area of ten acres, designed after the great model prison of Pentonville, London. Hammocks are used in the cells, which are suitably furnished; combs, brushes, towels to each, with Bible and Prayer Books, tools and working materials, and a bell in each in each cell to call the warder if required". Just like the Grand Central Hotel by the sound of things .. all mod cons in Belfast's New Gaol of 1852.
Board of Superintendence: John McNeile, Esq., DL of Parkmount; Robert Thomson, Esq., of Jennymount; Thomas Montgomery, Esq., of Birchill, Antrim; John Clarke, Esq.; Thomas Verner, Esq.; C. R. Dobbs, Esq., of Castle Dobbs, Carrickfergus; Samuel G. Fenton, Esq.; Rev. R. W. Blamd; Charles O'Hara, Esq., of O'Hara-Brook, Ballymoney; James E. Leslie, Esq., of Leslie Hill, Ballymoney; George G. Clarke, Esq., of Steeple, Antrim and John R. Dickey, Esq., of Ballymena.
Inspector: Rev. R. Oulton; Chaplain: Rev. C. Allen; Presbyterian Chaplain: Rev. Geo. Shaw
Roman Catholic Chaplain: Rev. H. O'Loughlin; Surgeon: Thomas H. Purdon, MD
Apothecary: James Moore, MD and Governor: John Forbes.
Crulin road Courthouse opened at the Summer Assizes in 1850 and finally closed in June 1998, after nearly 150 years of continuous usage. The site was sold to a private developer in September 2003.
The County Officers in 1852 were ....
High Sheriff: Robert Smyth, Esq.
Clerk of the Crown: Walter Bourne, Esq., 17, Fitzwilliam Square West, Dublin
Clerk of the Peace: George A. Chichester, Esq.
Deputy Clerk of the Peace: William C. Cunningham, Esq., Solicitor, 4, York Street, Belfast
Crown Solicitor: Maxwell Hamilton, Esq., office: 5, Kildare Street, Dublin
Crown Solicitor at Quarter Sessions: Neil John O'Neil, Esq., 9, Lwr. Gloucester St, Dublin
Treasurer: Alexander Miller, Esq., Ballycastle
Secretary to the Grand Jury: John Coates, Esq., Carrickfergus
County Surveyor: Charles Lanyon, Esq., Belfast
Sub-Sheriff: Robert Clark., Esq., office: 6, Castle Chambers
Court House Keeper: Alexander Rules
The Quarter Sessions were held, four times each year, in the Court House. The Assistant Barrister was John Gibson, Esq.
The Magistrates were: W. J. C. Allen of Wellington Place; The Earl of Belfast, DL of Ormeau; The Mayor of Belfast (for the time being); Rev. R. W. Bland of Abbeyville; John Clarke of College Square; William Coates of Glentoran; Andrew Cowan (Co. Down) of Chichester Street; N. Delacherois Crommelin jnr.; John Curell senr.; Samuel G. Fenton of College Square; J. F. Ferguson, DL of Donegall Place; Thomas Ferguson of Greenville; Edmund Grimshaw of Mossley; Robert Grimshaw, DL of Whitehouse; R. B. B. Houston of Orangefield; Sir W. B. Johnson, DL of College Square; James L. McCance of Glenville; William McCance of Suffilk; James McNamara; John McNeile, DL of Parkmount; William Stevenson; James Thompson Tennent; Robert James Tennent, MP., DL of Hercules Place;
Sir J. E. Tennent, MP (Lisburn) of London; Robert Thompson of Donegall Square West; John Thomson of Low Wood; Robert Thomson of Castleton; W. S. Tracy, RM and Thomas Verner, DL of Ormeau.
Source: 1852 Directory of Belfast and the Province of Ulster