BELFAST In The 1950’s
A Photographic Record
1950 - 1954
A Photographic Record
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First published 2008 by Glenravel Local History Project Ashton Centre 5 Churchill Street Belfast BT15 2BP Tel: (028) 9074 2255 Fax: (028) 9035 1326 E-Mail: glenravel@ashtoncentre.com Website: www.glenravel.com Copyright © 2009 Joe Baker All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without written permission from the publisher. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-0-9559165-1-9
COVER PICTURE - Taken from The 1950’s Scrapbook by Robert Opie
BELFAST In The 1950’s
A Photographic Record
1950 - 1954 Compiled by Joe Baker
GLENRAVEL LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
One of the new diesel rail cars being unloaded from the M.V. Stream Fisher at the Albert Quay. The cars, which are being used on the Belfast-Dublin line, are 66 feet long, weigh 30 tons and accommodate 44 passengers
The Blue Funnel Line motorship Ascanius being launched at Queen’s Island
The Northern Ireland Parliament Buildings as seen from the Knock Road
Military parade passing the City Hall
Heavy thunder shower turns High Street into a river
Lesley Trueman, complete with doll, Sun-hat and spade waits for her train to take her to Portstewart
A Photographic Record
1950
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Glengormley Fire Station Orangemen pull an open landau from the City Hall to Blitz Square (High Street)
Sea Cadets from the training ship Eagle pictured outside the York Road Railway Station on their way to summer camp
A contingent of St John Ambulance Brigade cadets marching past St Anne’s Cathedral after a St John’s Day service
Construction work on Sydenham Primary School
The 10,125 ton cargo-liner Lxion entering the water at Belfast Shipyard
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
Aged people enjoying a dinner given by the Salvation Army in Buckingham Street Minister of Health Dehra Parker and the Lady Mayoress (Mrs Johnston) meet Isabel Stewart of Langford Street at the opening the new Maternity Centre at Ariel Street.
A busy scene at Pollock Dock as timber is unloaded from the SS Thelma
Enjoying Story Hour at Belfast Central Library A new stand under construction at Cliftonville Football Club
A Photographic Record
1950
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Linfield v Derry at Windsor Park
A wintry scene on the Lagan at Shaw’s Bridge R. Condren, Captain Northern Ireland and R. Dixon, North West England shake hands before the Sea cadets’ football match at Cliftonville.
A new park being laid out at Barnett Estate Amatuer International football match at Windsor Park
Section of the queue which ran from the Athletic Stores into Wellington Place, along Queen Street, College Street and into Fountain Street. For what? Three hundred ground tickets for Wales v Ireland at Ravenhill
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Belfast in the 1950’s
The old Smithfield Mill being demolished
1950
Cake Fair held by the City Hospital Ladies Committee in Donegall Square Methodist Church
Launch of the Juan Peron at the Belfast Shipyard
All that remained of the shop belonging to James Ferguson at 262 Newtownards Road after the building collapsed
James Pavis enjoys an apple on his way to Euston Street P. E. School
Mr Robert Kirkwood sitting outside Moores’ shop on the Ballysillian Road with his dog Rusty
A Photographic Record
1950
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Pupils of Edenderry Intermediate School
Sea Scouts of the 34th Belfast Troop (North Belfast Mission) putting the finishing touches to two of their canoes on the banks of the River Lagan
A tramcar jumps the rails at the junction of Victoria Street and Chichester Street
Mrs A. McLaughlin throwing the first bowl to open the green at Cavehill Bowling Club.
men of the 6th Batt Royal Unlster Rifles wave as they leave Victoria Barracks bound for Ballyedmond
New fire engine which is to be used throughout Belfast
Two of the four Swedish Navel Cadet College Squadron minesweepers which berthed at Pollock Dock
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
The Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops on the Castlereagh Road shortly before being opened by the Queen A group leaving Mountjoy Street for a day trip to Blackrock
Accident involving a motorcycle and bus at the junction of Sandown Road and Upper Newtownards Road
Some of the sixy war orphans boarding a bus which took them on a tour of the Antrim Coast
Two flower sellers in front of the City Hall hudd underas during a heavy shower
All eyes on the lion’s cage at Bellevue Zoo during its daily meal
First day at Strand School which was built in 75 days
Shipyard workers enjoy a game of football with the M.V. Union Castle in the background
A Photographic Record
1950
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Youth leaders taking part in a physical recreation course at Stranmillis College
The tanker British Surveyor going down the slips at the Belfast Shipyard
A mishap at Quarry Corner
Little Jean Perraton, Parkgate Avenue, is treated at the Orthopaedic Hospital The first pre-cast concrete shelter is erected at the junction of Bryson Street and Newtownards Road
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
The girls choir of Hardinge Memorial H.M. Submarine Tireless photographed in Pollock Dock next to the H.M.S. Kilmorey
Members of the National Union of Protestants headed by Mr Norman Porter protest at Belfast City Hall. The Rev. Ian Paisley can be seen on the right
The scene at Cliftonville Circus when, during heavy rain, the volume of water lifted the manhole cover
The oil tanker Bolette entering the water at Queens Island
An R.U.C. detachment mounted on their new motor-cycles leaves Musgrave Barracks to patrol Belfast
Four Generations. The McAloney family of 12 Virginia Street photographed on the returnhome on holiday from America of two married daughters, Mrs Audrey Hawkins and Mrs Ann Roth. Standing back, left to right - Mr James McAloney, senior, Mr James McAloney, junior, and Sylvia McAloney (aged 13). Seated left to right - Mrs Hawkins and son James (aged 4), Mrs McAloney, junior and son Robert (aged 3) and Mrs Roth and son Owen (aged 2)
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1950
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Children and nurses at the Dufferin and Ava Hospital enjoy a show by the popular Hal Monty
Opening of the new Road-Rail Workshops at Duncrue Street
Engine Driver Joe Young who had just completed 48 years service with the Great Northern Railway pictured alongside Fireman Bob Greer
Men of the Royal Irish Fusiliers enjoying a meal at Victoria Barracks before leaving for Germany
A picturesque setting as seen from the Annadale Embankment
A Belfast schoolboy “well armed� for a snowball battle
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
The city transport terminal unloading stage at Whitehouse
The Australian aircraft carrier Sydney arriving in Belfast to embark Firefly aircraft from the Royal Navy Air Maintenance yard at Sydenham
A new plaque is unveiled at Queens University bearing the names of the members of the University who lost their lives in the Second World War
Children pictured leaving Sydenham Primary School
A crowd gathers at the home of Robert Taylor, 12 Meadow Street, after he was released following an appeal for murder
A Photographic Record
1950
A rocking-horse provided by patrons of the Ritz Cinema being presented to the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Rebuilding the Macrory Memorial Presbyterian Church in Duncairn Gardens which was destroyed in the 1941 Belfast blitz
The 28,000 tons oil tanker Verena leaves Belfast
New headquarters of the 1919 (Fortwilliam) Squadron A.T.C
Mount Vernon house being converted into a special needs school
Unloading timber from the S.S. Thelma at Pollock Dock
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
A snow covered Cliftonville ground (Solitude) The Bellevue Zoo lion awaits with serious interest the keeper who will bring his lunch
A lorry ends up in the garden of 7 Sunnyside Drive after swerving to miss a boy with a dog Enjoying a stroll in Botanic Gardens
A Photographic Record
1950
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This boy is well prepared for his stay in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Burmah Street
Children in Garmoyle Street share the watchman’s fire during a cold spell
R.U.C. v Army at Ravenhill
The burnt out remains of O&T Gallagher Ltd., Nelson Street
The weathervane is removed from the Robinson & Cleaver building
The British Railways motorship Hibernia undergoing an overhaul at Alexander Wharf
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1950
The newly built York Street Mill which was destroyed during the German Blitz
Smithfield Flax Spinning and Weaving Mill being demolished to make way for the extension of the Smithfield Bus Depot
A rainy day at May’s Market
A Photographic Record
1950
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Ballysillian Road being widened (looking from the cavehill Road) Little Trevor Gordon of Ravenhill Road picks up some flowers for his mum at Belfast City Hall
A mechanical shovel in operation on the Ballysillian Road
Cavehill from Hazelwood
The liner Bloemfontein Castle in the Thompson Graving Dock A meeting of engineers in High Street who were demanding a wage increase of ÂŁ1
A lorry, two cars and a delivery van collide on the Antrim Road
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1951
The 36,000 ton aircraft carrier Eagle being fitted out in the Thompson Wharf
A scene as Glentoran defeated Linfield 2 - 1 in the final of the Ulster Cup. Here Cecil Moore, well beaten by Ike McDowell’s shot for the Linfield goal with Jim Lewis, Noel McCarthy (Glentoran) and Dan Mullan (Linfield) looking on.
Several inches of slush in Wellington Place made the going difficult difficult for shoppers
The horse looks round inquiringly in this traffic mishap outside St Anne’s Cathedral. One of the back wheels collapsed causing the tilt
Four year old Alan Booth, gets a greeting from his father, Leading Fireman John Booth, in the cabin of Belfast’s newest £4,600 fire engine at Belfast Fire Brigade Headquarters, Chichester Street.
A Photographic Record
1951
Lonsdale Street
The Norwegian oil tanker Ringerd reflected on the tranquil water of the Musgrave Channel.
Alex Moore, the Linfield centre forward, gets his shot in when hard pressed by Jim Simpson, Crusaders’ centre half, during the replayed Irish Cup game at Seaview. Linfield won 3 - 2
One of the damaged trams after a fire at the Ardoyne Depot. Three were destroyed and nine others badly damaged.
Queen Victoria School, Durham Street
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
A sheep takes refuge in the doorway of a shop in Donegall Place after it was found wandering early one morning
Seeing in 1952 at the Albert Clock
Being left at the door! A Belfast Corporation bus which skidded on ice and crashed into the side of a house at Allworthy Avenue The 8,350 ton steamer Clan Sutherland berthed in the Herdman Channel
A Photographic Record
1952
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A snowy scene on the North Circular Road
A snowy scene in the Waterworks playground
The Norwegian oil tanker Janita rides hight in the Musgrave Channel after her launch from the shipyard
The oil tanker British Skill on the slips at Belfast Shipyard
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord MacDermott, inspecting a guard of honour at the Crumlin Road Courthouse
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Belfast in the 1950’s
Queen’s Bridge
1952
A foggy scene on Royal Avenue
Belfast girls who have volunteered for service with N.A.A.F.I. in the Suez Canal Zone. They are pictured here at their heardquarters, Arva House, on the Cavehill Road.
Men of the 1st Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment leave Victoria Barracks on their way to Ballykinlar Camp.
A Photographic Record
1952
A clothing warehouse in Bedford Street after fire ripped through it. 1952
The Connswater River with the Newtownards Road in the background The Norwegian oil tanker Janiita rides high in the Musgrave Channel after her launch at Harland & Wolff
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord MacDermott, inspecting a guard of honour at the Crumlin Road Courthouse
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Irish Cup semi final at Cliftonville between Linfield and Glentoran. A shot from Linfield’s Williamson is kicked clear by Glentoran keeper Clark.
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
A new six-coach multi-engined diesel train built from existing coach stock in the U.T.A. workshops
Hundreds of tons of structrul steel have gone into the completed skeleton of the York Street Mill which, when completed, will be the largest in the world. 1952
Irish League v Scottish League at Cliftonville The judging ring at the Ulster Fox Terrier Club Show at Balmoral Showgrounds. BELOW - The big and the small at the show.
The Canadian Pacific Liner, Empress of Scotland, having her topmast removed in the Belfast Shipyard.
A queue streching from Castle Place to North Street of people secruring their tickets to visit Bellevue.
A Photographic Record
1952
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Re-opening of St Patrick’s Church in Ballymacarrett which was destroyed during the Luftwaffe Blitz. BELOW - Inside the new church. Lugano House on the Antrim Road. The 17,000 ton liner Braemar Castle entering the Musgrave Channel after her launch.
Mr A. Maunder, a director of Gallaher’s Tobacco Factory, throwing the first jack to open the companys new bowling green at Connswater.
Children leaving the Belfast Central Mission on a trip.
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
St George’s Church, High Street. Wedding day of James Miley and Mary Smyth at the McCracken Memorial Church
Opening of a new playhouse at the Edenderry Nursery School, Crumlin Road.
Four year old June Rowney preparing tea at the new playhouse at Edenderry Nursery School
A car crashes through a hedge into a field on the Castlereagh Road.
Boys’s Brigade parade at the City Hall
Members of the Glen Ladies’ Club who left Chadolly Street, Newtownards Road for their annual excursion.
Edna and Iris Andrews who took part in the Circuit of Ireland seen here doing their map reading exercise.
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1952
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The Minister of Education, Harry Midgley, pointing out places of interest from the steps of Stormont to overseas students.
Tom Rodgers and Gerald O’Reilly set off along the Saintfield Road on a hiking holiday in County Down.
Members of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade form a guard of honour for the Vice Chancellors procession.
First residents move into new houses built on the Glenhill Estate.
Charlotte Peden and Eileen Trainor trying on their bonnets at the Glendhu Children’s Hospital.
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
The Bawnmore Children’s Home, Whitewell Road
The McCooey family photographed ‘on air’ in Broadcasting House when they presented the 100th episode of the current series of that year (1952) Round the microphone are (from left) Joseph Tomelty (Bobby Greer), Min Milligan (Aunt Sarah), John McBride (Sammy McCooey), J. G. Devlin (Granda), William Millar (the detective), Sheila McGibbon (Sally) and Mina Dornan (Maggie)
Inside the newly built Macrory Memorial Church, Duncairn Gardens, which was destroyed during the Luftwaffe Blitz.
Opening of new flats at Skegoniell Avenue
A party from Bloomfield Welfare Clinic leaving for an outing to Bangor. Mickey O’Neill of St George’s Boxing Club
A Photographic Record
1952
Children of York Street keep cool in the heat wave when the Water Commissioners open a hydrant while flushing the mains.
Launch of the motor driven oil tanker Janova, 18,500 tons, at Belfast Shipyard.
Two girls getting ready for Halloween
Enjoying a swim at the Ormeau Baths.
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
The first tractor to be imported from France for the Ministry of Agriculture being unloaded at the Belfast Docks.
The building of the new Rathcoole Estate.
Four year old Patricia Kirkpatrick of Vandyck Gardens uses a paper parasol for protection against the sun in Royal Avenue.
The SS Clan MacIntyre berthed at the Duffrin Dock.
A motor yacht adds a bit of grace to the Herdman Channel.
A Photographic Record
1952
New entrance to the GPO in Royal Avenue. BELOW - Inside the new entrance
Launch at Belfast Shipyard of the 8,000 ton M.V. Raeburn.
New houses at Montgomery Road, Cregagh.
The American Cleaners in Arthur Street.
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Ireland v Army at Windsor Park. McNeill, the Ireland goalkeeper, throws himself full length to deflect a ‘pile-driver’ from Deeley, the Army inside-right. Ireland’s left half, Mulholland stands helplessly looking on.
Rebuilding of St James Church which was destroyed during the Luftwaffe Blitz of 1941.
The Union Castle Liner Braemar Castle being fitted out in the Musgrave Channel
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
A busy scene at the Belfast Docks. High Street.
A motor mishap on the Antrim Road.
The new Wheatfield Primary School, Ardoyne.
The new Seaview Primary School.
Accident on the Beersbridge Road.
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1952
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A warm drink for Ellen and Margaret Doyle, who were taken to St Kevin’s School when their home in St James’ Road was flooded. Coporation workmen clearing the culvert of the Blackstaff River at Centurion Street which was blocked during the floods. Residents of St James’ Road out doing their shopping.
R.A.F. personel from Aldergrove use rubber dinghies to evacuate householders of St Katherine Road during sudden floods. Looking after the dog in Lecale Street.
Gold Medallist Sarah McCart Foley (centre), with Francis Geraldine McAtee (Silver Medal) (left), and Elitabeth Starritt, Bronze Medal, at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children prize giving day.
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1952
A rainy morning in Donegall Place Ray Huston of Belfast’s Star Boxing Club A 75 ton Hulford Press being unloaded at the Abercorn Dock
Music Hall Lane, off Montgomery Street
1952
A Photographic Record
Birds Eye view of Belfast looking down Linenhall Street and Bedford Street
Junction of the Falls Road and Donegall Road
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Belfast in the 1950’s
An early morning crash into Woodvale Park
The No. 13 Glen Road bus hits a bit of bad luck when it crashed into the shop of William Clokey, glass merchants, in King Street.
1952
Launch of the 5,800 ton motorship Beaverbank at Queens Island
Jimmy Christian, of the Viking Barbell Club, the Ulster 10st-class weight-lifting champion, training at their Albion Street hall
A tricky job of removing office furniture from first storey buildings in Castle Place
A Photographic Record
1952
Reconstruction work at the Abercorn Basin
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Demolition of the gate lodge to the old brick works, Upper Newtownards Road.
Distillery goalkeeper Bailie failed to stop this high ball from a Glentorn forward, but Magee, the Distillery right back, was there to head off the line during the City Cup match at Grosvenor Park. Disillery won 3-2 Guests at the Confectioners Trade Benevolent Fund annual Candy Ball, held in the Midland Hotel
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1953
1953
A Photographic Record
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Belfast in the 1950’s
Dalriada House
1953
Dr Crawford, professor of chemistry at Belfast College of Technology, demonstrating an experiment to schoolchildren during a lecture at the College
Town v Country rugby at Ormeau Park
Collision at the Finaghy cross-roads
Nelson, the Brantwood right-winger, tips the ball past Bond, Glentoran’s goalkeeper at Grosvenor Park. Brantwood won 3-1
The circus comes to the Kings Hall Four new fire engines for the Belfast Fire Brigade
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1953
new offices of Thomas Cook in Donegall Place
Rebuilding work on St James’s Church, Antrim Road which was destroyed during the Blitz
Children enjoy a burst water main in York Street
Cinderella (Betty Leslie-Smith) meets two of the 240 Belfast Wolf Cubs who went to see the pantomime in the Grand opera House
Cavehill Primary School, Castle Park
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Young and old queued all night at the British Railways Office, Donegall Place, for sailing tickets
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1953
Leinster v Ulster at hockey at Cliftonville Clarke, the Glentoran goalkeeper, fails to stop a penalty kick by Shiells, Cliftonville outside right
Launch of the 12,000 ton motor tanker Irex at the Belfast Shipyard
New flats under construction at Annadale Embankment
Taking a closer look at a tailors shop at Castle Junction
Donegall Square North
Iris (at wheel) and Edna Andrews who competed in the 1000 mile Circuit of Ireland with Miss Burnside (left)
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1953
Bradbury Place
Bradbury Place Bradbury Place
Easter holiday makers queue, equipped with raincoats, at the Great Northern Railway Terminus
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Belfast in the 1950’s
LEFT Patricia Curran BELOW Iain Hay Gordon
A Photographic Record
County Inspector Albert Kennedy (centre) with Detectives Capstick and Hawkins of Scotland Yard
Police search for clues at the beach near the Curran home
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Crowds watching the gate of the Girls’ Remand Home where Iain Hay Gordon (below) was charged with the murder of Patricia Curran
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1953
Looking down North Street towards Royal Avenue Edgcumbe Old Peoples Home, Holywood Road
Looking down North Street from Carrick Hill Catching ‘spriks’ at Shaw’s Bridge
Looking up Lower North Street towards Royal Avenue
Boy Scouts parade on Duncairn Gardens
Belfast Boys’ Brigade football team
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1953
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Stormont
Some of the 1,000 schoolchildren from East Belfast, who had a morning off school to watch the Queen’s Coronation at the Strand Cinema
Mr J. McWatters arriving at the Belfast Museum with his 1908 Chambers 10 hp car
Triplets William, Herbert and Laurence of Tullyard Way celebrate their third birthday
L. McKay, C. Millar and S. Thompson at the Belfast High School swimming gala at Templemore Avenue
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1953
John Kelly wearing the Lonsdale Belt he won by beating Peter Keenan, the Scots title holder at the Kings Hall
Workmen constructing a new Zebra Crossing on York Street between Frederick Street and Donegall Street
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1953
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New Co-Op store on the Ballysillan Road
New Belfast Savings Bank on the Antrim Road
The first of the new buses purchased by the Belfast Corporation from the London Transport Executive
Inside the new Ballysillan store
Greekeepers at the Falls Park repairing the bowling green after it was vandalised
Sammy Ewing, Glentoran’s inside right fails to head a cross from Sammy Lowry during the City Cup game at the Oval. W. Smyth, the Distillery goalkeeper, clears under the watchful eye of McEvey
The Moderator of the General Assembly, Rev J. E. Davey, laying the foundation stone of the new Rosemary Presbyterian Church, North Circular Road
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Belfast in the 1950’s
Launch of the M.V. Tantallon for the Union Castle Line Castle at the Belfast Shipyard
1953
Late afternoon in Botanic Gardens
New nurses home on the Falls Road
Crusaders Reserves’ team surround Mr F. J. Cochrane, Chairman of the County Antrim Football Association as he presented the Steel & Sons Cup after the 4-3 win over Linfield at Cliftonville
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1953
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New flats under construction at the junction of Duncairn Gardens and Antrim Road.
Evacuating people from their homes in Riverdale Park East following heavy rain
Two three-year-olds, Brian Hayes (left) and Linda McClean of Colchester Street, mind the holly while their mothers continue with the Christmas shopping at May’s Market
Closing a deal for two live geese at the Belfast Markets
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1954
Castlereagh Primary School
Laying a new bowling green in Ormeau Park Trying out a new ‘railed-off’ roundabout at Shaftesbury Square Belfast’s last tram journey seen here in High Street
Chorus girls from the pantomime ‘Babes in the Wood” leaving the Opera House on a scooter tour of the city
Mr Maunsell (nearest car) and his co-drivers Mr McMichael and Mr McCaldin heading off to the Monte Carlo Rally with their Humber Snipe
Unloading timber from the Norwegian ship Aquila at the Pollock Dock
Queen’s University ‘senior eight’ at rowing practice on the River Lagan
Belfast’s last two tram drivers who retired after the last run from Queen’s Road to Ardoyne. Walter Wakins (left) and Mr Weir
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1954
The 28,000 ton Iberia shortly before its launch Removing tram lines on the Lisburn Road
First Sea Lord McGrigor chatting to shipyard workers prior to the launch of the Iberia
Protesting firemen at the City Hall
New houses at Disraeli Street replacing those destroyed during the Blitz
The Lonsdale Belt won by John Kelly on display at a butchers in York Street
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Belfast in the 1950’s
A picturesque scene in Barnett Estate, Malone
1954
Carlow, the Distillery goalkeeper, aided by right-back McEvoy, in a goalmouuth scramble to get the ball away during strong pressure by Coleraine
Houses in Ardilaun Street, Newtownards Road. Sixteen year old William Watters lost his life
Pupils of Orangefield Primary School
Lowood Primary Shore Road, before its opening
Girls of Ashfield Grammer School, Holywood Road in their new gym
Girls from Eastland Street Play Centre giving an exhibition of sword dancing
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1954
Looking up North Street (lower)
Looking down North Street from Royal Avenue (lower)
Looking up North Street from Royal Avenue
Ann Street
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Belfast in the 1950’s
1954
Scotland v Ireland at Cliftonville The Rev Storey, founder of the 44th Belfast Company of the Boys’ Brigade is saluted by the youngest recruit Sydney Nesbitt
New bridge under construction at Donegall Road
New gym opened at 174 Newtownards Road described in a magazine as the best in the world
Brick by brick demolition of the chimney of Cullen, Allen & Co., Victoria Street Launch of the Cerinthus at Belfast Shipyard
A Photographic Record
1954
The new Bellevue playground
Derry City v Glentoran at Windsor
Three young pupils of Seaview School watch a member of the Fire Brigade check a hydrant on the Shore Road
Derry City v Linfield at Cliftonville
Bradbury Place
Enjoying the slide at the recently opened Bellevue Playground
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Belfast in the 1950’s
The crowds arrive for the opening of the new C&A store in Donegall Place
1954
The upper picture shows the Ardoyne Road before reconstruction work commenced. The lower picture shows it afterwards in 1954
Removing the square sets from Queen’s Bridge
Launch of the 20,000 ton Southern Cross at Belfast Shipyard
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1954
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Goorwitch’s new shop at the junction of Royal Avenue and Rosemary Street
Queen Elizabeth making her way along Royal Avenue Maureen Hewitt, Ethel Lofthouse, Marion Aiken and Barbara McInnes of the W.R.A.C. at Victoria Barracks
New flats built at the top of Duncairn Gardens to replace housing destroyed during the Blitz
Funeral of Mrs J. Ireland, a member of the Fire Brigade staff leaving Mount Vernon Park Richard Trinen and Roger Duff on the Lagan Canal
The newly formed 81st (St Bartholomew’s) Scout Troop at the G.N.R. Station
Linfield v Glentoran at Windsor Park
Opening of the new Belfast Model School for Girls
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1954
Belfast in the 1950’s
The new Ardmore Estate, Finaghy
The Belfast Arts Theatre in Lower Donegall Street
Opening of the newly built St James’s Church, Antrim Road, after it was destroyed during the Blitz
Traffic being brought to a standstill in Waring Street as a special U.T.A. crane lifts a crate containing a tabulating machine to the window of offices occupied by the Ministry of Finance. It was the only way the gaint machine could be got into the room
FACING PAGE Central Belfast in 1955
1954
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Belfast in the 1950’s
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