Belfast Every Open Door was first opened in 1899 but through the years the home moved around, in 1899 it first opened at 110 Great Victoria Street, Belfast. Then in 1911 moved again to 15 & 17 Crumlin Road, Carlisle Circus, then in 1918 the home moved to St George’s Vila, 2 Holywood Road, Strandtown. Then records show in 1924 the home moved to 106 Holywood Road, Strandtown. (see photo above) then in 1937 the home moved again just down the road to number 114 Holywood Road, Strandtown. Then in 1940 the children were evacuated to Tubba Na Carrig.

This home is also listed on page 28/1 Childhood Memories a photographic history of Dr Barnardo's.

In 1935 a young Belfast boy along with his older brother and four others were moved to the London headquarters, Stepney Causeway, he wrote "we were moved  without our parents knowledge, it would be another 7 years before my brother and I would set eyes on our mother again who was a complete stranger to us when we finally did meet up with her. I couldn’t even remember what she looked like before we were put in the homes, and do you know something, at that very moment in time my wish was to be back in Dr Barnardo's home with my friends.

In 2004 here in Melbourne I was watching the documentary `The Leaving of Liverpool` when at the conclusion of the program they gave a phone number to ring if any ex members of the homes would like to get our past records sent to us.  I contacted the lady and sent her my birth certificate and some other details and it was about 3 months later that I received my files with a number of photos with them one being the above of the old home.

Click here to hear the song "Doors Ever Open"  written by Stan Graham about the children of Dr Barnardo's going to Australia.