SNAPSHOTS OF
BELFAST Photographs of old Belfast
1920 - 1924
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 Š 2008 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 Printed in Belfast
COVER PICTURE - Fire Brigade Headquarters, Chichester Street, 1929
SNAPSHOTS OF
BELFAST 1920 - 1924
Joe Baker
BELFAST CITY CENTRE
1925
INTRODUCTION
T
he second you turn this page you are going to embark on a fantastic history of the city of Belfast between the years 1920 - 1924. It is going to be a remarkable history and one which is going to enlighten every reader as it is said that every picture tells a story. Well if this is the case then there are hundreds of stories here. The gathering of these pictures was a challenging task and one which we were only to happy to accept. Their sources are as diverse as the pictures themselves and range from insurance companies, private collections and old newspaper plates. Many are in pretty poor condition but it must be remembered that the latest photograph in this book is over eighty years old. Most of the original pictures have been lost forever and if the general reader had seen the condition of many of the photographs we obtained they will observe that we have done our best in presenting them in this publication. Some were in an atrocious condition but instead of leaving them out we have included them as someone, somewhere, sometime, is going to find that this is the picture that they have been looking for. We are all fascinated by old photographs of the place in which we live. In most cases Belfast folk are going to be looking at places which they know and which have changed remarkably over the decades. In others people are going to look at places they know and which today still look the same. The 1920’s was a remarkable period in Belfast and the beginning of the decade saw the partition of Ireland with Belfast becoming a capital city. Needless to say this political change also brought with it political strife and some of the pictures in this publication will show a few of the dreadful deeds that occurred. But with a new decade new events also took place. Among this is of course construction work and some photographs will show the foundation stones being laid in buildings which today are landmarks which we just take for granted. The first Snapshots Project began on the tenth anniversary of the Glenravel Local History Project. This began as a small community based historical scheme and has now grown to the largest publishing company of its type. In this ten year period Glenravel has achieved quite a lot in the advancement of local historical studies. We have published over 100 titles and produce a monthly historical magazine. We also compile quarterly publications which are distributed throughout Ireland. We are also the first in quite a few schemes with the most recent being our tour of the Belfast Prison on the Crumlin Road. The work of Glenravel continues and over the next few years this will progress with the Snapshots Project presenting a photographic history of Belfast. After all as Richard Livingstone stated some time ago:-
There is perhaps no more fruitful form of education than to arouse the interest of a people in their own surroundings.
Page 6
1920
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Park Lodge A familair scene in 1920’s Belfast - The Geese of Cromac Square
ABOVE & BELOW - Paving the road with wooded blocks on High Street and Castle Place
Paddling in the water fountain in Dunville Park
A tram leaves its tracks on the Newtownards Road
A minature landmark at the Mountpottinger Road junction is the large stone at the corner of Albertbridge Road and Castlereagh Street.
Workmen trim their lamps in readiness for the night watch on the new road works in High Street. Atlantic Buildings at the corner of Waring Street and Hill Street
Belfast Gasworks. In the foreground is the new monster 7,000,000 cubic feet spiral guided gas holder which is still under construction.
The burnt out remains of Fountainville Church
Annadale Hall
Students ‘Rag Day’ making its way to the City Hall
A char-a-bane pictured on the Newtownards Road. They were known as ‘Coasters’
1920
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 7
The proposed War Memorial building on Howard Street Demolition work in Thomas Street The U.S.P.C.A. stall at the Balmoral Show BELOW - A general view of the Show
A horse is killed in a freak accident during a gale in Wellington Street
Hartington Villa on the Antrim Road. Duncairn Gardens can be seen in the background
Belfast Celtic V Linfield at Windsor Park The burning building of the Baltic Timber Yard on the Ravenhill Road. INSET - Boy Scouts helping the firemen.
Graymount on the Whitewell Road ALL BELOW - Bellevue Gardens Senir pupils of the Hardinge Street Trades Preparatory School
The shop of Frank Smith at 15 High Street
Labour Day in Belfast - Children from the Socialist Sunday School
The burnt out remains of C. Porter & Co. on the Old Lodge Road. The I.R.A. had began a fire bombing campaign at this time.
Co-Op delivery van
Page 8
1920
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Collapsed wall of the Glenwood Dye Works on the Shankill Road. Three people died when the wall fell on them The Jewellery Shop of Robert McDowell at 14 High Street
Gala Day at the Antrim Road Waterworks
Workers of the Ormeau Bakery leaving for their annual excursion
Cavehill from Bellevue
ABOVE & BELOW - Freshly caught fish being unloaded at the Belfast Docks on way to the Markets
Pulling down the old buildings of the Castle Market
New Belfast tramcar
Hart & Churchill’s Music Shop in High Street
The burnt remains of Agnews Timber Yard
Rioting between Catholics and Protestants on York Street
1920
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 9
Belfast Coal Boats at the Quay Trams on Royal Avenue
ABOVE & BELOW - A busy day in the Belfast Docks unloading barrels of grain
ABOVE & BELOW - Excavation work on the River Lagan at Ormeau Park
ABOVE & BELOW - Workmen making concrete paths in the back entries between Cappy Street and Ravenhill Street
A light railway in Ormeau Park for the excavations
Shore hands ready to start unloading at the Dufferin Dock
The Belfast Harbour Board elections
Glentoran Football Team
Trotting at Celtic Park
Competitors in the Boy Scouts swimming gala in Templemore Avenue Baths
Page 10
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
1920
1920
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 11
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1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
The first houses built under a new housing scheme at St James’s Park on the Donegall Road
Queing for dog licences at the Belfast Police Court
ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the Ulster Motor Cycle Club race from the City Hall to Helens Bay
Members of the Coporation Housing Committee at the new St James’s development Military raid on St Malachy’s College
ABOVE & BELOW - Ladies football at Windsor Park
Illicit still seized at 9 Millford Street
A solider stands guard outside the college gate to keep out the pupils (who don’t seem to mind) pictured below
Belfast Boy Scouts funeral (Herbert McCleery)
Burnt out remains of Hope Street Saw Mills
New organ installed in Albert Street Presbyterian Church
The troops return to Victoria Barracks
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
The new ‘Loado’ motor or horse van crane arriving at Murdoch’s in Thompson Street
The Savoy Bakery at Donegall Place
Watching the solar eclipse in the city centre
Some members of the Willowfield Wolf Cub Pack
The Bedouin Tent at the Church Missionary Exhibition in the Ulster Hall
Gymnastic display by the Y.M.C.A. In the Wellington Hall
The Ulster Brewery on the Glen Road Funeral of Head Constable Mulrooney makes its way along the York Road. He had been shot dead in distrubunces a few days previously
George Thompson throws the first bowl in the new season at the Belfast Bowling Club at College Park
The old Poor House on North Queen Street
Page 13
ABOVE & BELOW - Students in ‘Rag’ hold corner street concerts to raise money for the Dental Department of the Royal Victoria Hospital
Bullet holes on a shop window in Royal Avenue after overnight disturbances
Page 14
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Junior League match takes place at the Cliftonville Cricket Grounds
An ‘X’ marking the spot where District Inspector Ferris was shot just of the Falls Road A demonstration by the Ex-Services Men’s Association outside the Belfast Prison
R.I.C. raid in Eglinton Street
ABOVE & BELOW - Giving water to horses in High Street.
Inspection of Harbour Police at Belfast Docks
ABOVE & BELOW - Military raid in Union Street Inspection of Belfast Girl Guides
The Stags Head at the junction of Rosemary Street and North Street
People gather to look at the bullet holes in the wooden pavements in Donegall Place
New police vans in Belfast. These have been painted grey to remove the name ‘Black Marias’
New bridge being placed at the Holywood arches
Armed R.I.C. guard inside Belfast City Hall
The 33rd Troop Pipe Band march through Belfast during Scout Day
Unionist demonstration in Sandy Row
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 15
Carnival day in the Waterworks
Orange decorations in Belfast. ABOVE - Bann Street. BELOW - Ewart’s Row Ex-Servicemen’s Parade on the Ormeau Road
ABOVE & BELOW - Water polo match in the Waterworks. Wales v Ireland
ABOVE & BELOW - Sports Day at Methodist College
Decorated bridal car in Botanic Gardens
Coal boats at Queen’s Quay
ABOVE & BELOW - Donkey Parade in Belfast. This was organised every year by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The City Hall’s Council Chamber where the new Northern Parliament assembled for the first time
Boy Scout Church Parade makes its way along Donegall Place
Mothers and babies from Danube Street make their way to Bellevue on the tram
Rechabite Parade in Glentoran grounds where a rechabite home was compared to that of a drunkard’s
Page 16
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Members of the Belfast Corporation Babies Club, Falls Road, pictured at Collingwood, Chichester Park ABOVE & BELOW - Relaying new tram tracks on the Antrim Road
R.I.C. armoured van in Royal Avenue Smashed tram and the junction of Clifton Street and Henry Place. It had been struck by a military lorry leaving Victoria Barracks
A Belfast taxi being inspected by a member of the Belfast Police Committee
The work outside Bellevue An R.I.C. man is carried away after being shot at the junction of Union Street and Little Donegall Street
Delivering water from the Cromac Springs
Selling pigs at the Belfast Markets
ABOVE & BELOW - Municipal Employes Association Fete held in Botanic Gardens Military patrol on North Queen Street
Assembly College which has been aquired on a three year lease for the Northern Parliament
Illicit still seized at Ballymoney Street
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 17
ABOVE & BELOW - Horses being loaded up at Belfast Docks on their way to the Greek Army. Funeral of William Kennedy makes its way along Royal Avenue. He had been killed a few days previously during a riot
Model yacht racing at the Waterworks
ABOVE - Engines parked at Adelaide during the railway strike. BELOW - A deserted Great Victoria Street station
Members of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association pictured at the River Lagan
Extra lifebelts being put on the Belfast steamer in case it’s attacked by Turkish submarines
Railway passengers travelling by truck A hole knocked through the wall of the York Street mill to enable workers to get in and out without being shot
Funeral of Thomas Finnegan leaving Amelia Street. He had been shot dead a few days previously
Outing of the Campbell Street Mission
Ladies football at Windsor Park
Page 18
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Royal Visit in Belfast ABOVE - Robinson & Cleaver’s
BELOW - High Street
ABOVE - Lisburn Road Police Barrack BELOW - The King and Queen in Donegall Place
ABOVE - The funeral of Robert Bowers makes its way down Brougham Street BELOW - The funeral of Annie Watson passing along Duncairn Gardens. Both had been killed in street conflicts a few days previously
ABOVE - The Water Office, Royal Avenue BELOW - The Belfast Telegraph Construction on the new electric station at the Twin Islands
ABOVE - Hartington Street BELOW - Castle Place
Shooting marbles at the Delhis Fields
The Bank Buildings
The King and Queen arrive at the Ulster Hall
The Unionist Labour Association’s Headquarters at Glenmore Street
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 19
The picture framing room of the Government Instructional Factory in Ormeau Avenue
North Queen Street Post Office next to the Belfast Charitable Society’s institution ABOVE - The Tinsmiths Shop at the Factory BELOW - The Wig Makers
Floods in Belfast. ABOVE - Grosvenor Road BELOW - Telford Street
The Northern Bar at Carlisle Circus Riddle Hall
ABOVE - The Billiard Room of the Northern Bar BELOW - The family room
ABOVE - Firemen fight a blaze at a seed store in Millfield. BELOW - Prince of Wales Hotel
Junction of Seaforde Street and Newtownards Road after a night of conflict
The funeral of Hugh Crymble on the Oldpark Road. He had been murdered at the Sand Quay
Page 20
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Wolff Street Junction of Cromac Street and Catherine Street ABOVE - Balmoral Avenue BELOW - The Balmoral Show Grounds
ABOVE - Military patrol at Castle Junction BELOW - Armoured car on Clifton Street
Wire placed on Belfast trams to protect drivers from bomb attack
Laying tram tracks on Clifton Street Jurors arrive at the Belfast Courthouse under armed guard
ABOVE - Military patrol at the junction of Donegall Street and North Queen Street BELOW - Armoured car on Royal Avenue
Troops at the junction of Seaforde Street and Newtownards Road
Dunlewey Street
Pupils of Miss Haines give a Spanish Costume Ball in the Ulster Hall
The Bridge Bar at the junction of Donegall Quay and Ann Street
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 21
Mulholland Terrace, Falls Road
Reclaiming land at Belfast Lough
ABOVE - Funeral of Thomas Finnegan BELOW - Police funeral on the Falls Road
Police armoured car
ABOVE & BELOW - The dredgers working at the reclaimed land
Getting in the Christmas tree and holly at the Belfast Markets Junction of May Street and Joy Street
A cart man selling yule logs Christmas treat for 400 cripples at the People’s Place’ on the Donegall Road
Road improvements on Stockmans Lane
Christmas treat for poor children at the Shankill Mission Fairyland in the Ulster Hall - Pupils of Mrs Whale perform the ‘Christmas Stocking’ ABOVE - Lanark Street BELOW - Cupar Street
Christmas party for firemen’s children at the Central Fire Station
Unaware of their fate a cart load of turkeys make their way to the Belfast Market
Page 22
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
1921
1921
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 23
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1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Toppled over steam crane at the Sand Quay
Short Strand from the Albert Bridge
1st Battalion Royal Warwick Regiment arriving at the Ulster Hall where they are billeted
The band of the Seaforth Regiment pictured arriving at Belfast Docks Clermont Lane
Patrols at the junction of Kent Street and Royal Avenue
Victoria Street
Houses on the Oldpark Road destroyed in a gas explosion Donegall Quay
Mines and other materials found during a raid in Bank Street
Queen’s Bridge
Guns and bombs discovered during a raid in Hardinge Street in the New Lodge
A group of people outside the Central Library avoiding sniper fire from Library Street
Members of the Belfast Amalgamated Engineering Union
Robert Hegan’s tobacconists shop on the Dublin Road
Corner of Newtownards Road and Foundry Street after 14 people were injured in a bomb attack
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Damaged tram after being rammed by an armoured car in Royal Avenue
Bronze ships propeller being transported along Albert Quay
Fire Brigade fighting a blaze in Great Patrick Street
Albertbridge Church Boy Scouts Shop at the junction ofKing Street and Smithfield after a gun attack
Herbert Street after a bomb attack which injured a number of children
Searching cars at Balmoral
Lifeboat parade in Donegall Square North
Searching cars on the Malone Road
Pedestrians searched in Royal Avenue
Musgrave Street Barracks
St Mary’s Hall, Bank Street
Page 25
Armoured car on York Street looking out for snipers in Great Georges Street
Page 26
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
St Simon’s National School, Donegall Road
ABOVE - Infants class in St Simon’s School BELOW - The daily drill Burnt out shops in Queen Street Pedestrians searched in Donegall Place
Raiding premises in Carrick Hill Pupils of Miss Phyllis James at the Hippodrome
The playground of St Simon’s
New season opens at Cavehill Bowling Club
Park Street Promenade deck of the CPR Liner Scotian which left Belfast for Quebec
Firemen fighting a blaze at Kinkead’s Manufacturing Chemists, Hamilton Place
Looking down Millfield from Peter’s Hill
The Imperial Picture House, Cornmarket
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 27
Section of the Crumlin Road between Tennent Street and McCandless Street
Military patrol at the junction of Carrick Hill and North Street Corner of Tasmania Street and Crumlin Road
High Street
Inside the Albert Clock
Military raid in Little May Street
Firemen repair the Royal Avenue fire alarm
Burnt out remains of Adam’s Printing Works, King Street
Burnt out remains of the Unity Street Jam Factory
Military patrol in May Street
The Grand Orange Hall of Ireland after it had been taken over by expelled workers
Page 28
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Armed members of the ‘C-Specials’ marching along Chichester Street
ABOVE - Armed raid at Creighton’s shop Clifton Street. BELOW - A suspect is arrested Firemen fighting a blaze in York Street
Pedestrians are searched in Garfield Street after the killing of M.P. William Twaddell. Belfast motor cycle race, Upper Newtownards Road
The Queen’s Island Brass band Opening of the Glandore Unionist Club New Pilot Cutter for Belfast Harbour
1st Ballymacarrett Scout Troop collecting eggs for the Ulster Hospital
Orange parade outside the Ulster Hall
Blaze at Armstrong’s Paper Merchants, Library Street
Children of the North Belfast Mission on York Street
The River Lagan at Newforge
Scene in Little George’s Street after a boy named John Walker was shot dead.
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 29
Collection day for Belfast Cripples at the City Hall Members of the Belfast Sea Cadets on board the barque Bellands
ABOVE & BELOW - Illicit still discovered in a house in Norton Street in the Cromac Street area
The cutter Gold Seeker in Belfast Harbour
1st Battalion Norfolk’s marching down Great Georges Street
Car crash on the Holywood Road The shop of Joseph O’Malley after fourteen people were injured in a bomb attack
Swimming Team of the Malone Training School
Theatrical Carnival in the Ulster Hall
The Crumlin Road Picture House where its attendant, Peter Mullan, was shot dead
The English Water Polo Team who defeated Ireland in the Belfast Waterworks
Military raid on Grove Street in the North Queen Street area
Page 30
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
ABOVE - Pupils of Miss Nan McAughey in the Assembly Hall. BELOW - Three of the pupils in pierrot costume Gymnastic display by the boys of the Malone Training School
The new Provincial Bank of Ireland, Victoria Street
ALL ABOVE - The Belfast Fire Brigade fight a blaze at the premises of Hyndman & Sons Flax Merchants in Donegall Street
The Steam Pilot Cutter ‘Edith Williams’ on Belfast Lough Tea Rooms erected in Victoria Square by the Irish Temperance League
Annual Exhibition of the Belfast Art Society
Engine Room of the new Harbour Power Station
Boxing match at the Bull Ring at Balmoral
Malone Road
The SS Alexandra in York Dock
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 31
Shipyard Ladies Hockey Team
ABOVE & BELOW - Holes knocked through the rear yard walls in Vere Street to avoid snipers
Tossing the coin in a football match between Linfield and Glenavon at Windsor Park
ABOVE - Overhead coal conveyer to the new Electric Station at Musgrave Channel. BELOW - The new station
ABOVE & BELOW - Defusing a landmine discovered in a manhole in Arthur Square
Cliftonville v Glentoran at the Oval
No. 3 Bryson Street after a bomb was thrown through the front window
Workhouse infants
The burnt out remains of the Popular Tea House in North Street
ABOVE - Workhouse Fete. Children enjoying their tea. BELOW - General view of the Fete
Page 32
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
1922
1922
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 33
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1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
The SS Katie arriving in Belfast
The Women’s Missionary Association in scenes from ‘Canford’ in the church hall of May Street Presbyterian Church
The motor ship Buenos Ayres in York Dock
Cliftonville v Queen’s Island
Members of the Belfast Harbour Boat at Queens Bridge jetty
Crusaders F.C. new Recreation Hall, York Road New playground at Hemsworth Street. ABOVE - The Sand Beds. BELOW - The Slides
ABOVE & BELOW - Presentation of military medals in Victoria Barracks.
Dr Nadamlenzki at the Italian School which opened at 71 North Street
BELOW - The Paddling Pond at the new playground
Workmen engaged levelling the ground at Musgrave Park during the construction of a new aerodrome
A tiny Shetland pony on York Street
View from Ormeau Park looking towards Shaftesbury Avenue
Removing a ‘peaceline’ from Seaforde Street
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 35
ABOVE & BELOW - The Boats of the Belfast Sailing Club beside much larger vessels Renovation work to the old Town Hall
The burnt out remains of the carpenters shop at the Wolfhill Spinning Mill
Some members of the Belfast Sailing Club
Women and children leave on the first lifeboat from the Graphic.
The new Brighton Lifeboat arrives in Belfast The SS Graphic sinks in Belfast Lough
Passengers clearing the deck of the Graphic
The main deck awash
ABOVE & BELOW - Salving the Graphic
ABOVE & BELOW - Demolition work on the old Belfast Lunatic Asylum on the Grosvenor Road to build extensions to the Royal Victoria Hospital
Page 36
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
The shelters at Bellevue
Free State vessels under repair in Belfast. ABOVE LEFT - The SS Tearaght. ABOVE RIGHT - The SS Slievenamon. BELOW LEFT - The Barrels Rock Lightship. BELOW RIGHT - The Cruiser Helga
Performances at Bellevue
Staff outing from the Hamilton Street laundry
The Belfast Cattle Market
Steeplejacks at work on the spire of St Patrick’s, Donegall Street The bandstand at Perrie Park
Belfast City Mission Hall in Bread Street
Electric sub-station under construction in Lower Windsor Avenue
Entrance to the Cavehill facing Gray’s Lane
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 37
Exams in the Municipal Technical College
The Belfast Naturalist Field Club leave for an outing from the Municipal Technical College
AVOVE - The SS Franconia BELOW - The Franconia’s First Class smoking room
The band of St Aidan’s Church Lads Brigade Work begins on the construction of a new road to connect the Springfield and Ballygomartin Roads. (West Circular Road)
Members of the 9.15 Club. They meet each morning in a saloon car of the Belfast and County Down Railway hence the name.
The Officials of the Belfast Motor Boat Club
The Ulster Radio Association at the Old Castle Restaurant Cliftonville Presbyterian Church New Cricket Pavilion at Pirrie Park
Methodist Conference at the Y.M.C.A Hall
Open air swimming at the Belfast Waterworks, Antrim Road
Belfast Harbour Board’s dredger Volkerak
Page 38
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
City Mission parade on its way to the County Down Railway
Councillor Kennedy opens the Bellevue Carnival
Belfast Shipyard
Emigrants at York Dock waiting for the SS Doric
Committee of the Distillery Carnival, York Park
Storm damage at Peter’s Hill Baths
The band of the Coldstream Guards at Bellevue
Procession of Belfast Bookmakers in the city centre advertising their excursion to Douglas to raise money for local charties.
Members of the RUC in Fancy Dress pictured outside the Fire Brigade Headquarters
Fancy dress parade outside the Imperial Hotel
Guard of Honour of the Seaforth Highlanders being inspected by the Lord Chief Justice at the opening of the Assizes at the Courthouse
An octopus caught in Belfast Lough
The Irish polo Team who defeated Scotland at the Waterworks
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 39
The opening of the Belmont Tennis Club ABOVE & BELOW - New oil storage tanks in place at the new Belfast Harbour development
Nellie the pony and Darkie the dog who alway go out together. They belonged to Mr Thomas Lewis of 167 Shankill Road
BELOW - Some of the elevated oil tanks The SS Nestor discharging at York Dock Laying of the foundation stone of the War Memorial Hostel in Howard Street
Steeplejacks at work on the spire of Knockbreda Church ABOVE - The SS Doric being tested in Belfast Lough. BELOW - The gym on board the Doric
Pansy Day in Belfast. ABOVE - Stall at the City Hall to raise money for the Nervous Diseases Hospital, Claremont Street. BELOW - The Pansy Sellers
The band of St Michael’s Church Lads Brigade
Members of the Somersets Band participating in a game of hoop at the Giants Ring Bazaar
Three C.P.R. Liners in Belfast Lough. The Montlaurier, Montclare and the Marburn
Page 40
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Tableaux from the ‘Four Seasons’ presented by Miss Hassan’s pupils in the Ulster Hall
Improvements being made on the Malone Road
Boys receive food parcels at the North Belfast Mission ALL ABOVE - Model yacht racing at the Waterworks
The wheel of a lorry is trapped in a hole in Queen Street
New Quarantine Station at Twin Island
Baby Day at Castleton Presbyterian Church Belfast Central Employment Labour Exchange, Murray Street
Preparing deliveries at the Royal Bakery, Ravenhill Road
Memel Street Mission Hall
Lifeboat Day. The Belfast Sea Cadets parade the Belfast streets collecting for the Lifeboat Institution
New pavilion at Ormeau Golf Club
The SS Ascanius in York Dock
Queens Island Amateur Operatic Society
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 41
Fox Terrier Show at Robson’s Horse Bazaar Opening of the new season at the Beechmount Tennis Club
ABOVE & BELOW - The rail crossing at Dunmurry
New rugby ground being built at Ravenhill
Inspecting the remains of printing machines after a destructive fire at Harold Moore’s in Hawthorne Street, Falls Road Advertising cart for excursions to Portrush
Prize Day at the Cripples Institute
Y.M.C.A. gymnastic display Opening of a new tennis club at Salisbury
The new pavilion at Pirrie Park for workers of Harland & Wolff
The Bloomfield Level Crossing The new Power Station at Musgrave Channel
Launch of the SS Maldja at Harland & Wolff’s East Yard.
Cricket at the Cliftonville Road fields
Glasgow Rangers Football Team in Belfast
Page 42
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
The Queen’s Island Motor Cycle Club ABOVE & BELOW - Boxing at Celtic Park
The Duke of Abercorn arrive in Belfast at the Sand Quay
ABOVE & BELOW - Children at play in the Grosvenor Children’s Home
RUC inspection at Windsor Park
ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the Belfast Master Butchers Association Boys of the Home enjoy a game of football
ABOVE & BELOW - Prize Day at the Victoria Homes, Ballysillan
ABOVE & BELOW - The Great Patrick Street Butter Market
New Northern Bank at the junction of Cromac and May Street
1923
Service by Freemasons in the City Cemetery at the grave of R. Andrews
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Inspection of the Belfast Sea Cadets
Page 43
H.M Destroyers Wolfhound, Valorous and Spenser lying in the Spenser Basin
The SS Belgenland in Belfast Lough New parking spaces created in the centre of the road outside City Hall The Admiral Public House
Funeral to the City Cemetery of Captain Ledlie, a C-Special Opening of a new boat station at the Waterworks
AVOVE - Apple stall at the Belfast Markets. BELOW - Apples sold by the barrel
Relaying tram tracks in Royal Avenue Junction of Benwell Street and Oldpark Road
Relaying tram tracks in High Street Changing the wheel of a steam roller outside the Municipal Technical College
Tarmac machine invented in Belfast and built by Robert Craig & Sons, Great Georges Street
Launch of the SS Port Brisbane at Workman Clarke
One of the fowl stalls at the Belfast Markets
Page 44
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Shankill Road Mission ABOVE - The completed Harbour Power Plant BELOW - Its turbine room
ABOVE The SS Minnewaska at Harland & Wolff BELOW - Its launch
Cliftonville v Glentoran
Constructing a new bathing place at the Waterworks
ABOVE & BELOW - Feeding the swans at Botanic Gardens The Northern Bar, Carlisle Circus
Pupils of Miss Devlin who gave a matinee in the Hippodrome in aid of the Royal and Mater Hospitals
New Bangor boat, PS Greyhound at the Abercorn Basin
The SS Boonah at York Dock
Boat racing on the River Lagan
Children at Botanic Gardens
Boxing at the East End Stadium, Carew Street
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Page 45
ABOVE & BELOW - Erecting a crane at the new extensions at the Royal Victoria Hospital
Alton United Football Team
Mount Lyons, Antrim Road. Feeding the swans near the Ormeau Bridge
The 1st Ballymacarrett Troop egg collection for local hospitals and the poor
Inspection of RUC at Glenravel Street Barrack Lorry crash on the Crumlin Road
Repairing the railway bridge at Victoria Halt
Improvements being made on the Ligoniel Road
Ardenlee Drive, Cregagh Road
Kings Bridge
Enlarging the pond in Ormeau Park
A flooded Queens Square
Page 46
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Committee and staff of Malone Traning School
Relaying Cobble Stones in Donegall Pass
Visit to Gallaher’s tabacco factory, York Street. Mr Gallaher is in the centre with hat and cane
Kennedy’s new bakery, Beechmount Avenue Laying electric cables in the Dublin Road
Sandy Row looking towards Boyne Bridge
Construction work begins on Ulsterville Church
Fire at Harvey Brothers, Bradbury Place Reid Street
New swimming pool being built in Ormeau Park
ABOVE - Construction work on the new museum at Botanic Gardens BELOW Extension being added to St Annes Catherdral
Candahar Street, Ormeau Road
Queens Island Football Club
Queens Island Brass Band
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Naval inspection at the Spencer Basin
Children gather to get into St Matthews Hall, Seaforde Street
Unloading coal from the SS Tory Island
Children leave the Workhouse for an outing
New swimming pool at Victoria Park
Craig & Co., Tailors, North Street
Water supplied for horses at Shaftesbury Square
Relaying tram tracks outside the City Hall
The German Auxiliary, Christel Vinnen, at York Dock
Construction work on the new Classic Cinema on the site of the old Castle Market
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1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Barges acquired by the Harbour Commission for dredging
The Anchor Brocklebank Liner Mangalore arrives in Belfast from Calcutta
Emigrants boarding the C.P.R. Steamer Marburn for Canada at Donegall Quay
Belvoir Park
Army v Navy at the Cliftonville Cricket Grounds
Sheep arriving at the Belfast Markets, Oxford Street
Brookville Masonic Hall
Loading the train at Mays Field
New mammoth gas holder at the Belfast Gasworks. It can hold 7,000,000 cubic feet
1923
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
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New oil tank being erected for the British Mexican Petroleum on the Belfast Harbour Estate
Road repairs at the Knock Road corner
Whippet racing at Celtic Park
H.M.S. Barham in Belfast Lough. In the background is the Warspite and the Valiant
Chrismas decorations go up in the Royal Victoria Hospital
Preparing for the Christmas dinner at the Royal
Christmas decorations in the Government Factory in Ormeau Avenue
Children build sandcastles in Royal Avenue
Santa visits the Belfast Cripples
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SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
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1923
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SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
ABOVE - New housing scheme on the Donegall Road. BELOW - General view of the scheme looking across the Bog Meadows New tearooms being constructed at Bellevue
ABOVE & BELOW - Model yacht racing in the Antrim Road Waterworks
ABOVE - The head office of the Belfast Savings Bank in King Street. BELOW - Their Mountpottinger branch
Removing trees on the grounds of the City Hall Gilmore’s Factory, Rydalmere Street
The Ballymacarrett electric sub-station Storm damage in Bankmore Street
The Sportsman’s Stores, Royal Avenue
Shankill Road Y.M.C.A.
Renovation work on the old Recorders Court, Townhall Street
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New tram service to Stormont Crashed lorry on the Queens Bridge The new Strand Presbyterian Church
Construction of a new stand at Ravenhill
Erecting temporary offices at the law courts on the Crumlin Road New British Legion Club at 75 Upper Arthur Street
The launch of the SS Minnetonka at Harland & Wolff
Queens University Pipe Band ABOVE - The lounge of the new club BELOW - The writing room
Following a motor race in Royal Avenue
Waiting for coal brick in Middlepath Street
The entrance of the Potato Market where it is proposed to build the new law courts
Laying wooden paving in High Street
Hewitt Brothers, Sandy Row
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1924
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
CYCLONE STRIKES BELFAST
The motor ship Glenshiel leaving Belfast A farm at Turf Loney at the foot of Divis Mountain has its roof ripped off.
AVOVE & BELOW - Internees being transferred from the prison ship Argenta to Belfast Prison The medical shop of William Orr in Lower North Street
Roof damage at Turin Street Section of the large crowd gathered outside Belfast Prison during the execution of Michael Pratley
A roof is ripped from James McVeigh’s market in Oxford Street and thrown against the backs of houses some distance away
Searching for a bargain at the Belfast Variety Market
Laying new tram lines outside the City Hall
Physical Training at the Belmont Boys’ School
The old Recorders Court, Townhall Street
A roof is completely removed from a hayloft in Erskine Street
Cottages at the rear of the Cavehill Bowling Club
1924
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Military funeral of Sergeant Instructor Alexander Stewart leaving East Bread Street
Road works on North Queen Street
Looking down Chichester Street from the City Hall. The statue is the original Titanic Memorial
Oxford Billiard Hall, Royal Avenue
Clonard Amateur Swimming Club.
Belfast Harbour Police Post, Dee Street
Construction of a new hostel in Howard Street
Pulling down old cottages at Newtownbreda
ABOVE & BELOW - Derailed cattle train at Ballymacarrett
Deers Head, Lower North Street
A flooded Clarendon Dock
Steam engines on the Belfast Terminus, both of which were built in the city
The new Cavehill Tearooms at Bellevue Gardens
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1924
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Loading up the Liverpool boat
Group members of the Irish Road Club assembled at the City Hall for their annual amalgamated run
Inside the Cattle Market at Stewart Street
Flames penetrating through the back of the premises of Hyndman’s Saw Mills, King’s Court, Lancaster Street
A new fifty ton locomotive for the Belfast Railway being unloaded at the docks
Belfast Celtic FC
The Abercorn Basin. The ship to the right is the Prison Ship Argenta ABOVE - Cyprus Street BELOW - Peel Street The burnt out remains of the Morning Star Bar in Pottinger’s Entry
Police and members of the public capture a run away cow in College Street
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The Century Bar at the junction of North Street and Royal Avenue
Looking up High Street from the Albert Clock
Mr W. McLeod (world champion) pictured at the Royal Avenue Billiard Rooms
A snowman at the corner of North Street
Laying the foundations for a new museum in Botanic Gardens
The Clonard Swimming Team pictured at the opening of the Falls Park Swimming Pool Clearing snow from Cliftonville Football Ground ABOVE & BELOW - The burnt out remains of the Blackstaff Spinning and Weaving Ltd, Seymour Hill
Cliftonville fans have a snowball fight Funeral of Scoutmaster Alexander Denholm on the Ormeau Road
New clubhouse at the Cliftonville Golf Club
Clearing snow from the tram tracks in Donegall Street
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1924
SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST
Corporation Square
Laying tram tracks on the Ballygomartin Road
Queing for dog licences at the Dog Registerian Office
Piles of rubbish in Custom House Square during a strike
Burnt out remains of sheds at the Abercorn Basin Graymount Hospital
ABOVE & BELOW - A flooded York Street
Tombstone sculptors, Hamill Street College Square Police Barracks
Work begins on the erection of a war memorial outside Queens University
Harbour Office Hocky Team at Musgrave Park
The 10th Belfast Wolf Cub Pack
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The Ulster Art Club pictured at the Free Library, Royal Avenue
The band of the Belfast Sea Cadets on parade in Dufferin Road
The Belfast Municipal Tuberculous Children
Hospital
for City of Belfast Police Tug-of-War Team
Hampton House Industrial School for Girls, Balmoral Avenue
Shankill Road branch of the Belfast Savings Bank
The Belfast Hippodrome
Lower Garfield Street
New clubrooms of the Ulster Unionist Labour Association, York Street
Opening of a new air mail service between Belfast and Liverpool. ABOVE - The aeroplane and BELOW - The Lord Mayor (William Turner) declaring the service open
New tarmacadam mixing plant employed in connection with the laying of an experimental stretch of carriage way on the Antrim Road. This was the first road to be laid with ‘Tarmac’
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ABOVE - Excavation work at Woodvale BELOW - Members of the Housing Committee at completed houses in Woodvale Group of boxers and trainers at Windsor Park. Included in the picture are Mr F. McAloram and Mr J. McAllister.
Opening of the new Abercorn Hospital for the treatment of cancer at the Belfast Infirmary The Duncairn Harriers pictured at the Belfast Waterworks
ABOVE & BELOW - Electric cables being laid along the Queens Bridge
Police check cars on the Antrim Road
Members of the Girls’ Club Union, Alfred Street
Rifles seized in Currie Street
ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the ExServicemens Association on a run between Holywood and Bellevue
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British MP’s on a visit to the York Street Mill
Burnt out remains of the Somerset Works in Hardcastle Street
Demolition work at the corner of Grosvenor Road and Great Victoria Street
North Belfast Mission parade in York Street
Members of the Development Commission pictured at the Belfast Harbour Jetty
Outing for the children of the Belfast Workhouse
The birth place of Lord Kelvin in College Square
A parade in aid of funds for the ‘Toiling Animals’ making its way from the Albert Memorial, Victoria Street Snowball fight at the Mercantile College, Glenravel Street
Christmas time in the Templemore Avenue Hospital
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