[3] In 1874 the paper became a limited company and it was sold to John Arnott who owned the Irish Times for £17,500, he disposed of it following an attack on Catholics.
In its early years the paper as its editor and owner Finlay was in favour of Catholic Emancipation and supported the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland.
Three years later The Northern Whig moved to new premises on Bridge Street, where it remained until the paper ceased in 1963.
On Thursday, 17 April 1941, the paper reported, ‘A heavy death roll, possibly 200, is expected as a result of yesterday morning’s German air raid on Northern Ireland.
Residential districts in Belfast were the main targets, and sections of the city far removed from military objectives were laid in ruins’.