Eliza (1831–1924) and Isabella Riddel (1836–1918) were sisters who are best known for Riddel Hall in Stranmillis, Belfast, North
Eliza (1831–1924) and Isabella Riddel (1836–1918) were sisters who are best known for Riddel Hall in Stranmillis, Belfast, Northern Ireland, which they established in 1913 as a university hall of residence for women. Eliza and Isabella were the youngest two members of the wealthy Riddel family of ten children. The family made its money in the hardware business, established in 1803 by their father John Riddel (1783–1870). On the death of Samuel Riddel, the last of Eliza and Isabella's bachelor brothers, the sisters inherited over £400,000, which was a large fortune at that time. Ruth Duffin, the first warden of Riddel Hall, noted in her writings that the sisters were devoted Unitarians, strongly charitable, and that their habits were simple and Victorian. The sisters preferred to ride in their old one-horse brougham long after motor cars became commonplace. The Riddel sisters never took an active role in the family business or had the opportunity for third-level education themselves. Their family home at Beechmount, Falls Road is now an Irish-speaking school, Coláiste Feirste .
Size: 3328px × 4992px
Location: South Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Keywords: 1913, belfast, eliza, established, family, hall, ireland, isabella, members, northern, residence, riddel, sisters, stranmillis, university, wealthy, women., youngest
