Overview

The astonishing true story George Henry Thompson - a Black man who found himself leading a 2,000 strong Protestant mob in fierce sectarian rioting that tore Belfast apart in August 1872. This caused a meltdown in sections of the press and earned him a 2 year prison sentence with hard labour. But who was he? Where was he from and what was he doing in Belfast? Was he really a loyalist fanatic and what became of him after he was released from prison? Meticulously researched, this book answers those questions. The Belfast of that time, then nicknamed 'Linenopolis' and the 'Athens of Ireland', is vividly brought to life - an industrial powerhouse with a very seedy underbelly. The cause of the riots and impact of them is clearly explained. We learn of Thompson's unusual connection to the highwayman Dick Turpin; the editorials and songs that were written about him; the brave Catholic woman called Margaret who suffered terribly in the rioting but refused to condemn him at his trial; a possible child that was left behind in Ireland; appearances at Grand Nationals and the Mossley Wakes in Lancashire and much, much more. Tangent tales of those who interacted with Thompson - and some who did not are also included - such as the Italian artist Felice Piccione, who also left his mark on Belfast, and Christina Galbraith Richmond, the harp playing Scottish lady who made history at Magherafelt in 1908. Ghosts of the Shankill is a searing slice of social history that paints an incredible picture of the life and times of a Black man living at the margins of society during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Full Product Details

Author:   Simon Shaw
Publisher:   Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
Imprint:   Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.305kg
ISBN:  

9781836156215

ISBN 10:   1836156219
Pages:   222
Publication Date:   19 March 2026
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xv PROLOGUE xvii CHAPTER 1: TALES FROM WALKER'S LANE 1 CHAPTER 2: THE ATHENS OF IRELAND 15 CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD TO RIOT 27 CHAPTER 4: FAITH AND FATHERLAND 35 CHAPTER 5: DISTINCTIONS IN COLOUR 48 CHAPTER 6: DICK TURPIN'S RIDE TO YORK 61 CHAPTER 7: THE SONS OF WILLIAM 69 CHAPTER 8: THE WOODEN COCKROACH 76 CHAPTER 9: EXAMINING THE HATE CAMPAIGN 82 CHAPTER 10: ALWAYS GRINNING AND LOOKING PLEASANT 88 CHAPTER 11: ARTISTIC LICENCE 102 CHAPTER 12: BORN IN THE USA? 142 CHAPTER 13: COMPENSATION 149 CHAPTER 14: IS THE TRIAL READY FOR ME? 151 CHAPTER 15: WHITSUNTIDE IN COTTONOPOLIS 164 CHAPTER 16: MOSSLEY WAKES 174 CHAPTER 17: RINGLEADER 180 CHAPTER 18: THE SON OF THE SON OF WILLIAM? 188 CHAPTER 19: BLESSINGS, COURAGE AND LOVE 195 REFERENCES 199

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Author Information

Simon Shaw is from Coventry, England. He is a full-time carer for his partner who enjoys writing in his spare time. He once lived in Belfast and has a deep love of history.  He has contributed many influential articles to the ""Historic Coventry"" website and Ghosts of the Shankill is his first book.

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