Cultra Manor

Cultra Manor is the former home of Sir Robert Kennedy, an Ulster diplomat.  He had it built in 1902 for approximately £10,000 using local greywacke stone with Locharbriggs sandstone dressings – a true Ulster-Scots architectural marriage to reflect his own pedigree. The Kennedys had originally left Ayrshire for Ulster in 1668.

Sir Robert and his family retired to their new house in 1912; but when he and his wife died within a few months of each other in 1936, the Manor was left to their four daughters.  After World War II, the family baulked at the maintenance costs and moved to a smaller house in the grounds.  They then sold the Manor house and pleasure gardens to the Museum.