Snapshots of Belfast 1920 - 1924

Photographsof old Belfast

BELFASTSNAPSHOTS OF

BELFAST

1920 - 1924

COVER PICTURE - Fire Brigade Headquarters, Chichester Street, 1929

First published 2008by

Glenravel Local History ProjectAshton Centre

5 Churchill StreetBelfast

BT15 2BP

Tel: (028) 9074 2255Fax: (028) 9035 1326

E-Mail: [email protected]: www.glenravel.com

Copyright © 2008 Joe Baker

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic ormechanical, including photocopy, without written permission from the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication DataA catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-0-9559165-1-9

Printed in Belfast

Joe Baker

1920 - 1924

SNAPSHOTS OF

BELFAST

BELFAST CITY CENTRE 1925

INTRODUCTIONThe 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 aremarkable 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 arehundreds of stories here. The gathering of these pictures was a challenging taskand one which we were only to happy to accept. Their sources are as diverse as thepictures themselves and range from insurance companies, private collectionsand old newspaper plates. Many are in pretty poor condition but it must beremembered that the latest photograph in this book is over eighty years old. Mostof the original pictures have been lost forever and if the general reader had seen thecondition of many of the photographs we obtained they will observe that we havedone our best in presenting them in this publication. Some were in an atrociouscondition 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 beenlooking for. We are all fascinated by old photographs of the place in which welive. In most cases Belfast folk are going to be looking at places which they knowand which have changed remarkably over the decades. In others people are goingto 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 decadesaw the partition of Ireland with Belfast becoming a capital city. Needless to saythis political change also brought with it political strife and some of the pictures inthis publication will show a few of the dreadful deeds that occurred. But with anew decade new events also took place. Among this is of course constructionwork and some photographs will show the foundation stones being laid inbuildings which today are landmarks which we just take for granted.

The first Snapshots Project began on the tenth anniversary of the Glenravel LocalHistory Project. This began as a small community based historical scheme and hasnow grown to the largest publishing company of its type. In this ten year periodGlenravel has achieved quite a lot in the advancement of local historical studies.We have published over 100 titles and produce a monthly historical magazine. Wealso compile quarterly publications which are distributed throughout Ireland. Weare also the first in quite a few schemes with the most recent being our tour of theBelfast Prison on the Crumlin Road.

The work of Glenravel continues and over the next few years this will progresswith the Snapshots Project presenting a photographic history of Belfast. After allas 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.

SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST

A familair scene in 1920’s Belfast - The Geeseof Cromac Square

Paddling in the water fountain in Dunville Park

A minature landmark at the MountpottingerRoad junction is the large stone at the cornerof Albertbridge Road and Castlereagh Street.

Belfast Gasworks. In the foreground is the newmonster 7,000,000 cubic feet spiral guided gasholder which is still under construction.

ABOVE & BELOW - Paving the road withwooded blocks on High Street and Castle Place

Workmen trim their lamps in readiness for thenight watch on the new road works in HighStreet.

Annadale HallStudents ‘Rag Day’ making its way to the CityHall

A tram leaves its tracks on the NewtownardsRoad

Atlantic Buildings at the corner of Waring Streetand Hill Street

The burnt out remains of Fountainville Church

A char-a-bane pictured on the NewtownardsRoad. They were known as ‘Coasters’

Park Lodge

1920


Graymount on the Whitewell Road

The proposed War Memorial building onHoward Street

A horse is killed in a freak accident during agale in Wellington Street

Belfast Celtic V Linfield at Windsor Park

Demolition work in Thomas Street

Hartington Villa on the Antrim Road. DuncairnGardens can be seen in the background

The shop of Frank Smith at 15 High Street

The burnt out remains of C. Porter & Co. onthe Old Lodge Road. The I.R.A. had began afire bombing campaign at this time.

The U.S.P.C.A. stall at the Balmoral ShowBELOW - A general view of the Show

The burning building of the Baltic Timber Yardon the Ravenhill Road. INSET - Boy Scoutshelping the firemen.

Senir pupils of the Hardinge Street TradesPreparatory School

Labour Day in Belfast - Children from theSocialist Sunday School

Co-Op delivery van

ALL BELOW - Bellevue Gardens

1920


The Jewellery Shop of Robert McDowell at14 High Street

Workers of the Ormeau Bakery leaving for theirannual excursion

Gala Day at the Antrim Road Waterworks

Hart & Churchill’s Music Shop in High Street

ABOVE & BELOW - Freshly caught fish be-ing unloaded at the Belfast Docks on way tothe Markets

The burnt remains of Agnews Timber Yard

Collapsed wall of the Glenwood Dye Workson the Shankill Road. Three people died whenthe wall fell on them

Cavehill from Bellevue

Pulling down the old buildings of the Castle Market

New Belfast tramcar

Rioting between Catholics and Protestants on York Street

1920


Trams on Royal Avenue

Belfast Coal Boats at the Quay

ABOVE & BELOW - Workmen makingconcrete paths in the back entries betweenCappy Street and Ravenhill Street

Competitors in the Boy Scouts swimming galain Templemore Avenue Baths

ABOVE & BELOW - Excavation work on theRiver Lagan at Ormeau Park

A light railway in Ormeau Park for theexcavations

ABOVE & BELOW - A busy day in theBelfast Docks unloading barrels of grain

The Belfast Harbour Board elections

Trotting at Celtic Park

Shore hands ready to start unloading at theDufferin Dock

Glentoran Football Team

1920

SNAPSHOTS OF BELFAST 1920


The first houses built under a new housing schemeat St James’s Park on the Donegall Road

Members of the Coporation Housing Committee atthe new St James’s development

ABOVE & BELOW - Ladies football at Windsor Park

Belfast Boy Scouts funeral (Herbert McCleery)

Burnt out remains of Hope Street Saw Mills

ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the Ulster MotorCycle Club race from the City Hall to Helens Bay

Illicit still seized at 9 Millford Street

Queing for dog licences at the Belfast Police Court

New organ installed in Albert Street Presbyterian Church

Military raid on St Malachy’s College

A solider stands guard outside the college gate to keep outthe pupils (who don’t seem to mind) pictured below

The troops return to Victoria Barracks

1921


The new ‘Loado’ motor or horse van cranearriving at Murdoch’s in Thompson Street

Watching the solar eclipse in the city centre

The Bedouin Tent at the Church MissionaryExhibition in the Ulster Hall

Funeral of Head Constable Mulrooney makesits way along the York Road. He had been shotdead in distrubunces a few days previously

The Savoy Bakery at Donegall Place

ABOVE & BELOW - Students in ‘Rag’ hold cornerstreet concerts to raise money for the DentalDepartment of the Royal Victoria Hospital

Some members of the Willowfield Wolf Cub Pack

Gymnastic display by the Y.M.C.A. In the Wellington Hall

The Ulster Brewery on the Glen Road

George Thompson throws the first bowl in the newseason at the Belfast Bowling Club at College Park The old Poor House on North Queen Street

Bullet holes on a shop window in RoyalAvenue after overnight disturbances

1921


Junior League match takes place at theCliftonville Cricket Grounds

ABOVE & BELOW - Giving water to horsesin High Street.

People gather to look at the bullet holes in thewooden pavements in Donegall Place

New police vans in Belfast. These have been paintedgrey to remove the name ‘Black Marias’

An ‘X’ marking the spot where DistrictInspector Ferris was shot just of the Falls Road

R.I.C. raid in Eglinton Street

A demonstration by the Ex-Services Men’sAssociation outside the Belfast Prison

ABOVE & BELOW - Military raid in Union Street

The 33rd Troop Pipe Band march throughBelfast during Scout Day

New bridge being placed at the Holywood arches

Inspection of Harbour Police at Belfast Docks

Inspection of Belfast Girl Guides

The Stags Head at the junction of RosemaryStreet and North Street

Armed R.I.C. guard inside Belfast City Hall

Unionist demonstration in Sandy Row

1921


Ex-Servicemen’s Parade on the Ormeau Road

ABOVE & BELOW - Sports Day at Methodist College

Orange decorations in Belfast.ABOVE - Bann Street. BELOW - Ewart’s Row

ABOVE & BELOW - Donkey Parade inBelfast. This was organised every year by theUlster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals

Decorated bridal car in Botanic Gardens

Coal boats at Queen’s Quay

Boy Scout Church Parade makes its way alongDonegall Place

The City Hall’s Council Chamber where the newNorthern Parliament assembled for the first time

Carnival day in the Waterworks

ABOVE & BELOW - Water polo match in theWaterworks. Wales v Ireland

Mothers and babies from Danube Street maketheir way to Bellevue on the tram

Rechabite Parade in Glentoran grounds where a rechabitehome was compared to that of a drunkard’s

1921


Smashed tram and the junction of Clifton Streetand Henry Place. It had been struck by amilitary lorry leaving Victoria Barracks

An R.I.C. man is carried away after being shotat the junction of Union Street and LittleDonegall Street

ABOVE & BELOW - Relaying new tramtracks on the Antrim Road

Selling pigs at the Belfast Markets

Assembly College which has been aquired ona three year lease for the Northern Parliament

The work outside Bellevue

ABOVE & BELOW - Municipal EmployesAssociation Fete held in Botanic Gardens

Members of the Belfast Corporation BabiesClub, Falls Road, pictured at Collingwood,Chichester Park

R.I.C. armoured van in Royal Avenue

A Belfast taxi being inspected by a member ofthe Belfast Police Committee

Delivering water from the Cromac Springs

Military patrol on North Queen Street

Illicit still seized at Ballymoney Street

1921


Funeral of William Kennedy makes its way along Royal Avenue. He had been killed a few dayspreviously during a riot

ABOVE - Engines parked at Adelaide duringthe railway strike. BELOW - A deserted GreatVictoria Street station

Railway passengers travelling by truck

Funeral of Thomas Finnegan leaving Amelia Street.He had been shot dead a few days previously

Model yacht racing at the Waterworks

Members of the Irish Amateur SwimmingAssociation pictured at the River Lagan

A hole knocked through the wall of the York Street mill toenable workers to get in and out without being shot

Outing of the Campbell Street Mission

ABOVE & BELOW - Horses being loaded upat Belfast Docks on their way to the GreekArmy.

Extra lifebelts being put on the Belfast steamerin case it’s attacked by Turkish submarines

Ladies football at Windsor Park

1921


Royal Visit in BelfastABOVE - Robinson & Cleaver’s BELOW - High Street

ABOVE - The Water Office, Royal AvenueBELOW - The Belfast Telegraph

The Bank Buildings

ABOVE - Lisburn Road Police BarrackBELOW - The King and Queen in Donegall Place

ABOVE - Hartington StreetBELOW - Castle Place

The King and Queen arrive at the Ulster Hall

ABOVE - The funeral of Robert Bowers makes its waydown Brougham Street BELOW - The funeral of AnnieWatson passing along Duncairn Gardens. Both had beenkilled in street conflicts a few days previously

Construction on the new electric station at theTwin Islands

Shooting marbles at the Delhis Fields

The Unionist Labour Association’s Head-quarters at Glenmore Street

1921


North Queen Street Post Office next to the Belfast Charitable Society’s institution

ABOVE - The Billiard Room of the Northern BarBELOW - The family room

The Northern Bar at Carlisle Circus

The picture framing room of the GovernmentInstructional Factory in Ormeau Avenue

ABOVE - The Tinsmiths Shop at the FactoryBELOW - The Wig Makers

Floods in Belfast. ABOVE - Grosvenor RoadBELOW - Telford Street

ABOVE - Firemen fight a blaze at a seed storein Millfield. BELOW - Prince of Wales Hotel

Riddle Hall

Junction of Seaforde Street and NewtownardsRoad after a night of conflict

The funeral of Hugh Crymble on the OldparkRoad. He had been murdered at the Sand Quay

1921


Junction of Cromac Street and Catherine Street

ABOVE - Military patrol at Castle JunctionBELOW - Armoured car on Clifton Street

ABOVE - Military patrol at the junction ofDonegall Street and North Queen StreetBELOW - Armoured car on Royal Avenue

Troops at the junction of Seaforde Street andNewtownards Road

Wolff Street

Wire placed on Belfast trams to protect driversfrom bomb attack

Jurors arrive at the Belfast Courthouse underarmed guard

Laying tram tracks on Clifton Street

The Bridge Bar at the junction of Donegall Quay and Ann Street

Dunlewey Street

ABOVE - Balmoral AvenueBELOW - The Balmoral Show Grounds

Pupils of Miss Haines give a Spanish CostumeBall in the Ulster Hall

1921


Reclaiming land at Belfast Lough

ABOVE & BELOW - The dredgers workingat the reclaimed land

Road improvements on Stockmans Lane

ABOVE - Lanark Street BELOW - Cupar Street

Unaware of their fate a cart load of turkeysmake their way to the Belfast Market

Christmas treat for poor children at the ShankillMission

A cart man selling yule logs

Getting in the Christmas tree and holly at theBelfast Markets

Christmas party for firemen’s children at theCentral Fire Station

Fairyland in the Ulster Hall - Pupils of MrsWhale perform the ‘Christmas Stocking’

Christmas treat for 400 cripples at the People’sPlace’ on the Donegall Road

ABOVE - Funeral of Thomas FinneganBELOW - Police funeral on the Falls Road

Junction of May Street and Joy Street

Mulholland Terrace, Falls Road

Police armoured car

1921


Toppled over steam crane at the Sand Quay

1st Battalion Royal Warwick Regiment arriving atthe Ulster Hall where they are billeted

Patrols at the junction of Kent Street and Royal Avenue

Houses on the Oldpark Road destroyed in a gasexplosion

A group of people outside the Central Libraryavoiding sniper fire from Library Street

Members of the Belfast Amalgamated Engineering Union

Short Strand from the Albert Bridge

The band of the Seaforth Regiment picturedarriving at Belfast Docks

Victoria Street

Donegall Quay

Queen’s Bridge

Robert Hegan’s tobacconists shop on theDublin Road

Clermont Lane

Mines and other materials found during a raidin Bank Street

Guns and bombs discovered during a raid inHardinge Street in the New Lodge

Corner of Newtownards Road and Foundry Streetafter 14 people were injured in a bomb attack

1922


Armoured car on York Street looking out for snipers in Great Georges Street

Bronze ships propeller being transported alongAlbert Quay

Albertbridge Church Boy Scouts

Herbert Street after a bomb attack whichinjured a number of children

Musgrave Street Barracks

St Mary’s Hall, Bank Street

Fire Brigade fighting a blaze in Great Patrick Street

Shop at the junction ofKing Street andSmithfield after a gun attack

Lifeboat parade in Donegall Square North

Searching cars on the Malone Road

Damaged tram after being rammed by anarmoured car in Royal Avenue

Searching cars at Balmoral

Pedestrians searched in Royal Avenue

1922


Pedestrians searched in Donegall Place

Pupils of Miss Phyllis James at the Hippodrome

New season opens at Cavehill Bowling Club

Promenade deck of the CPR Liner Scotianwhich left Belfast for Quebec

Firemen fighting a blaze at Kinkead’sManufacturing Chemists, Hamilton Place

Burnt out shops in Queen Street

Raiding premises in Carrick Hill

Park Street

Looking down Millfield from Peter’s Hill

ABOVE - Infants class in St Simon’s SchoolBELOW - The daily drill

The playground of St Simon’s

St Simon’s National School, Donegall Road

The Imperial Picture House, Cornmarket

1922


Military patrol at the junction of Carrick Hill and North Street

High Street

Military raid in Little May Street

Burnt out remains of Adam’s Printing Works,King Street

Burnt out remains of the Unity Street Jam Factory Military patrol in May Street

Firemen repair the Royal Avenue fire alarm

Section of the Crumlin Road between TennentStreet and McCandless Street

Corner of Tasmania Street and Crumlin Road

Inside the Albert Clock

The Grand Orange Hall of Ireland after it hadbeen taken over by expelled workers

1922


Armed members of the ‘C-Specials’ marchingalong Chichester Street

Pedestrians are searched in Garfield Streetafter the killing of M.P. William Twaddell.

Children of the North Belfast Mission on York Street

Blaze at Armstrong’s Paper Merchants, Library Street

1st Ballymacarrett Scout Troop collecting eggsfor the Ulster Hospital

The Queen’s Island Brass band

ABOVE - Armed raid at Creighton’s shopClifton Street. BELOW - A suspect is arrested

New Pilot Cutter for Belfast Harbour

Orange parade outside the Ulster Hall

Firemen fighting a blaze in York Street

Belfast motor cycle race, Upper Newtownards Road

Opening of the Glandore Unionist Club

Scene in Little George’s Street after a boynamed John Walker was shot dead.

The River Lagan at Newforge

1922


Members of the Belfast Sea Cadets on boardthe barque Bellands

The cutter Gold Seeker in Belfast Harbour

The English Water Polo Team who defeatedIreland in the Belfast Waterworks

The Crumlin Road Picture House where itsattendant, Peter Mullan, was shot dead

The shop of Joseph O’Malley after fourteenpeople were injured in a bomb attack

Collection day for Belfast Cripples at the City Hall

1st Battalion Norfolk’s marching down GreatGeorges Street

Car crash on the Holywood Road

Swimming Team of the Malone TrainingSchool

Theatrical Carnival in the Ulster Hall

ABOVE & BELOW - Illicit still discovered in ahouse in Norton Street in the Cromac Street area

Military raid on Grove Street in the North Queen Street area

1922


Boxing match at the Bull Ring at Balmoral

Annual Exhibition of the Belfast Art Society

ALL ABOVE - The Belfast Fire Brigade fighta blaze at the premises of Hyndman & SonsFlax Merchants in Donegall Street

Gymnastic display by the boys of the MaloneTraining School

The new Provincial Bank of Ireland, Victoria Street

The Steam Pilot Cutter ‘Edith Williams’ onBelfast Lough

Engine Room of the new Harbour Power Station

Malone Road

ABOVE - Pupils of Miss Nan McAughey inthe Assembly Hall. BELOW - Three of thepupils in pierrot costume

Tea Rooms erected in Victoria Square by theIrish Temperance League

The SS Alexandra in York Dock

1922


Shipyard Ladies Hockey Team

ABOVE - Overhead coal conveyer to the newElectric Station at Musgrave Channel.BELOW - The new station

No. 3 Bryson Street after a bomb was thrownthrough the front window

ABOVE & BELOW - Holes knocked through therear yard walls in Vere Street to avoid snipers

ABOVE & BELOW - Defusing a landminediscovered in a manhole in Arthur Square

The burnt out remains of the Popular Tea Housein North Street

Workhouse infants

ABOVE - Workhouse Fete. Children enjoyingtheir tea.BELOW - General view of the Fete

Tossing the coin in a football match betweenLinfield and Glenavon at Windsor Park

Cliftonville v Glentoran at the Oval

1922


The Women’s Missionary Association in scenesfrom ‘Canford’ in the church hall of May StreetPresbyterian Church

ABOVE & BELOW - Presentation of militarymedals in Victoria Barracks.

A tiny Shetland pony on York Street

The motor ship Buenos Ayres in York Dock

Cliftonville v Queen’s Island

Crusaders F.C. new Recreation Hall, York Road

Dr Nadamlenzki at the Italian School whichopened at 71 North Street

Workmen engaged levelling the ground atMusgrave Park during the construction of a newaerodrome

View from Ormeau Park looking towardsShaftesbury Avenue

The SS Katie arriving in Belfast

Members of the Belfast Harbour Boat at QueensBridge jetty

New playground at Hemsworth Street.ABOVE - The Sand Beds. BELOW - TheSlides

BELOW - The Paddling Pond at the new playground

Removing a ‘peaceline’ from Seaforde Street

1923


ABOVE & BELOW - The Boats of the Belfast Sailing Club beside much larger vessels

Some members of the Belfast Sailing Club

The SS Graphic sinks in Belfast Lough

Passengers clearing the deck of the Graphic

The main deck awash

Women and children leave on the first lifeboatfrom the Graphic.

ABOVE & BELOW - Salving the Graphic

Renovation work to the old Town Hall

The burnt out remains of the carpenters shopat the Wolfhill Spinning Mill

The new Brighton Lifeboat arrives in Belfast

ABOVE & BELOW - Demolition work on theold Belfast Lunatic Asylum on the GrosvenorRoad to build extensions to the Royal VictoriaHospital

1923


Free State vessels under repair in Belfast. ABOVE LEFT - The SS Tearaght. ABOVE RIGHT - TheSS Slievenamon. BELOW LEFT - The Barrels Rock Lightship. BELOW RIGHT - The Cruiser Helga

The Belfast Cattle Market

Belfast City Mission Hall in Bread Street

The shelters at Bellevue

Performances at Bellevue

The bandstand at Perrie Park

Electric sub-station under construction inLower Windsor Avenue

Staff outing from the Hamilton Street laundry

Steeplejacks at work on the spire of St Patrick’s,Donegall Street

Entrance to the Cavehill facing Gray’s Lane

1923


AVOVE - The SS FranconiaBELOW - The Franconia’s First Class smoking room

Exams in the Municipal Technical College

The Belfast Naturalist Field Club leave for anouting from the Municipal Technical College

Work begins on the construction of a new roadto connect the Springfield and BallygomartinRoads. (West Circular Road)

The Officials of the Belfast Motor Boat Club

New Cricket Pavilion at Pirrie Park

Methodist Conference at the Y.M.C.A Hall

The band of St Aidan’s Church Lads Brigade

Members of the 9.15 Club. They meet eachmorning in a saloon car of the Belfast andCounty Down Railway hence the name.

Cliftonville Presbyterian Church

The Ulster Radio Association at the Old CastleRestaurant

Open air swimming at the Belfast Waterworks,Antrim Road Belfast Harbour Board’s dredger Volkerak

1923


Committee of the Distillery Carnival, York Park

The band of the Coldstream Guards at Bellevue

Fancy dress parade outside the Imperial Hotel

Guard of Honour of the Seaforth Highlandersbeing inspected by the Lord Chief Justice atthe opening of the Assizes at the Courthouse

Belfast Shipyard

Procession of Belfast Bookmakers in the citycentre advertising their excursion to Douglasto raise money for local charties.

An octopus caught in Belfast Lough

City Mission parade on its way to the CountyDown Railway

Councillor Kennedy opens the Bellevue Carnival

Emigrants at York Dock waiting for the SS Doric

Storm damage at Peter’s Hill Baths

Members of the RUC in Fancy Dress picturedoutside the Fire Brigade Headquarters

The Irish polo Team who defeated Scotland atthe Waterworks

1923


ABOVE & BELOW - New oil storage tanks inplace at the new Belfast Harbour development

BELOW - Some of the elevated oil tanks

Pansy Day in Belfast. ABOVE - Stall at the City Hall toraise money for the Nervous Diseases Hospital, ClaremontStreet. BELOW - The Pansy Sellers

The opening of the Belmont Tennis Club

The SS Nestor discharging at York Dock

ABOVE - The SS Doric being tested in BelfastLough. BELOW - The gym on board the Doric

The band of St Michael’s Church Lads Brigade

Nellie the pony and Darkie the dog who alwaygo out together. They belonged to Mr ThomasLewis of 167 Shankill Road

Laying of the foundation stone of the WarMemorial Hostel in Howard Street

Steeplejacks atwork on the spireof KnockbredaChurch

Members of the Somersets Band participatingin a game of hoop at the Giants Ring Bazaar

Three C.P.R. Liners in Belfast Lough. TheMontlaurier, Montclare and the Marburn

1923


Tableaux from the ‘Four Seasons’ presented by Miss Hassan’s pupils in the Ulster Hall

Improvements being made on the Malone Road

The wheel of a lorry is trapped in a hole inQueen Street

New Quarantine Station at Twin Island

Preparing deliveries at the Royal Bakery,Ravenhill Road

New pavilion at Ormeau Golf Club

Boys receive food parcels at the North Belfast Mission

Belfast Central Employment Labour Exchange,Murray Street

Memel Street Mission Hall

The SS Ascanius in York Dock

ALL ABOVE - Model yacht racing at theWaterworks

Baby Day at Castleton Presbyterian Church

Lifeboat Day. The Belfast Sea Cadets parade theBelfast streets collecting for the Lifeboat Institution

Queens Island Amateur Operatic Society

1923


New rugby ground being built at Ravenhill

Advertising cart for excursions to Portrush

Opening of a new tennis club at Salisbury

Cricket at the Cliftonville Road fields

Fox Terrier Show at Robson’s Horse Bazaar

Opening of the new season at the BeechmountTennis Club

Inspecting the remains of printing machinesafter a destructive fire at Harold Moore’s inHawthorne Street, Falls Road

Prize Day at the Cripples Institute

The new Power Station at Musgrave Channel

The new pavilion at Pirrie Park for workers ofHarland & Wolff

ABOVE & BELOW - The rail crossing atDunmurry

Y.M.C.A. gymnastic display

Launch of the SS Maldja at Harland & Wolff’sEast Yard.

The Bloomfield Level Crossing

Glasgow Rangers Football Team in Belfast

1923


The Queen’s Island Motor Cycle Club

The Duke of Abercorn arrive in Belfast at theSand Quay

RUC inspection at Windsor Park

ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the BelfastMaster Butchers Association

New Northern Bank at the junction of Cromac and May Street

ABOVE & BELOW - Children at play in theGrosvenor Children’s Home

Boys of the Home enjoy a game of football

ABOVE & BELOW - The Great Patrick StreetButter Market

ABOVE & BELOW - Boxing at Celtic Park

ABOVE & BELOW - Prize Day at theVictoria Homes, Ballysillan

1923


Launch of the SS Port Brisbane at Workman Clarke

Service by Freemasons in the City Cemeteryat the grave of R. Andrews

The SS Belgenland in Belfast Lough

Funeral to the City Cemetery of Captain Ledlie,a C-Special

Relaying tram tracks in Royal Avenue

Changing the wheel of a steam roller outsidethe Municipal Technical College

Tarmac machine invented in Belfast and builtby Robert Craig & Sons, Great Georges Street

The Admiral Public House

Opening of a new boat station at the Water-works

Junction of Benwell Street and Oldpark Road

Relaying tram tracks in High Street

H.M Destroyers Wolfhound, Valorous andSpenser lying in the Spenser Basin

New parking spaces created in the centre of theroad outside City Hall

AVOVE - Apple stall at the Belfast Markets.BELOW - Apples sold by the barrel

One of the fowl stalls at the Belfast Markets

Inspection of the Belfast Sea Cadets

1923


Shankill Road Mission

Cliftonville v Glentoran

The Northern Bar, Carlisle Circus

New Bangor boat, PS Greyhound at theAbercorn Basin

Boat racing on the River Lagan

ABOVE The SS Minnewaska at Harland &Wolff BELOW - Its launch

ABOVE & BELOW - Feeding the swans atBotanic Gardens

Children at Botanic Gardens

ABOVE - The completed Harbour Power PlantBELOW - Its turbine room

Constructing a new bathing place at the Waterworks

Pupils of Miss Devlin who gave a matinee inthe Hippodrome in aid of the Royal and MaterHospitals

Boxing at the East End Stadium, Carew Street

The SS Boonah at York Dock

1923


Alton United Football Team

Mount Lyons, Antrim Road.

Inspection of RUC at Glenravel Street Barrack

Improvements being made on the Ligoniel Road

Kings Bridge

Feeding the swans near the Ormeau Bridge

Lorry crash on the Crumlin Road

Enlarging the pond in Ormeau Park

Ardenlee Drive, Cregagh Road

ABOVE & BELOW - Erecting a crane at thenew extensions at the Royal Victoria Hospital

The 1st Ballymacarrett Troop egg collection forlocal hospitals and the poor

Repairing the railway bridge at Victoria Halt

A flooded Queens Square

1923


Relaying Cobble Stones in Donegall Pass

Kennedy’s new bakery, Beechmount Avenue

Sandy Row looking towards Boyne Bridge

Queens Island Football Club

Reid Street

New swimming pool being built in Ormeau Park

Laying electric cables in the Dublin Road

Construction work begins on Ulsterville Church

ABOVE - Construction work on the newmuseum at Botanic Gardens BELOW -Extension being added to St Annes Catherdral

Committee and staff of Malone Traning School

Visit to Gallaher’s tabacco factory, York Street.Mr Gallaher is in the centre with hat and cane

Fire at Harvey Brothers, Bradbury Place

Candahar Street, Ormeau Road

Queens Island Brass Band

1923


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

Water supplied for horses at Shaftesbury Square

Relaying tram tracks outside the City Hall

The German Auxiliary, Christel Vinnen, at YorkDock Construction work on the new Classic Cinema on the site of the old Castle Market

Naval inspection at the Spencer Basin

Craig & Co., Tailors, North Street

1923


The Anchor Brocklebank Liner Mangalore arrives in Belfast from Calcutta

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

Barges acquired by the Harbour Commissionfor dredging

Emigrants boarding the C.P.R. SteamerMarburn for Canada at Donegall Quay

1923


New oil tank being erected for the British Mexican Petroleum on the Belfast Harbour Estate

Road repairs at the Knock Road corner

H.M.S. Barham in Belfast Lough. In the back-ground is the Warspite and the Valiant

Whippet racing at Celtic Park

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

Santa visits the Belfast CripplesChildren build sandcastles in Royal Avenue

1923


New tearooms being constructed at Bellevue

ABOVE - The head office of the BelfastSavings Bank in King Street.BELOW - Their Mountpottinger branch

The Sportsman’s Stores, Royal Avenue

ABOVE & BELOW - Model yacht racing inthe Antrim Road Waterworks

Gilmore’s Factory, Rydalmere Street

The Ballymacarrett electric sub-station

Shankill Road Y.M.C.A.

ABOVE - New housing scheme on theDonegall Road. BELOW - General view ofthe scheme looking across the Bog Meadows

Removing trees on the grounds of the City Hall

Storm damage in Bankmore Street

Renovation work on the old Recorders Court,Townhall Street

1924


Crashed lorry on the Queens Bridge

New British Legion Club at 75 Upper ArthurStreet

ABOVE - The lounge of the new clubBELOW - The writing room

The entrance of the Potato Market where it isproposed to build the new law courts

New tram service to Stormont

Construction of a new stand at Ravenhill

The launch of the SS Minnetonka at Harland& Wolff

Following a motor race in Royal Avenue

Laying wooden paving in High Street

The new Strand Presbyterian Church

Erecting temporary offices at the law courts onthe Crumlin Road

Queens University Pipe Band

Waiting for coal brick in Middlepath Street

Hewitt Brothers, Sandy Row

1924


AVOVE & BELOW - Internees beingtransferred from the prison ship Argenta toBelfast Prison

Laying new tram lines outside the City Hall

The old Recorders Court, Townhall Street

CYCLONE STRIKES BELFAST

A farm at Turf Loney at the foot of DivisMountain has its roof ripped off.

Roof damage at Turin Street

A roof is ripped from James McVeigh’s marketin Oxford Street and thrown against the backsof houses some distance away

A roof is completely removed from a hayloftin Erskine Street

The motor ship Glenshiel leaving Belfast

The medical shop of William Orr in LowerNorth Street

Section of the large crowd gathered outside BelfastPrison during the execution of Michael Pratley

Searching for a bargain at the Belfast VarietyMarket

Physical Training at the Belmont Boys’ School

Cottages at the rear of the Cavehill BowlingClub

1924


Road works on North Queen Street

Oxford Billiard Hall, Royal Avenue

Belfast Harbour Police Post, Dee Street

Steam engines on the Belfast Terminus, bothof which were built in the city

The new Cavehill Tearooms at BellevueGardens

Construction of a new hostel in Howard Street

Pulling down old cottages at Newtownbreda

Deers Head, Lower North Street

Military funeral of Sergeant InstructorAlexander Stewart leaving East Bread Street

Looking down Chichester Street from the City Hall.The statue is the original Titanic Memorial

Clonard Amateur Swimming Club.

ABOVE & BELOW - Derailed cattle train atBallymacarrett

A flooded Clarendon Dock

1924


Group members of the Irish Road Club assembled at the City Hall for their annual amalgamated run

Flames penetrating through the back of thepremises of Hyndman’s Saw Mills, King’sCourt, Lancaster Street

The burnt out remains of the Morning Star Barin Pottinger’s Entry

Police and members of the public capture a runaway cow in College Street

A new fifty ton locomotive for the BelfastRailway being unloaded at the docks

ABOVE - Cyprus StreetBELOW - Peel Street

Loading up the Liverpool boat

Inside the Cattle Market at Stewart Street

Belfast Celtic FC

The Abercorn Basin. The ship to the right isthe Prison Ship Argenta

1924


Looking up High Street from the Albert Clock

Mr W. McLeod (world champion) pictured atthe Royal Avenue Billiard Rooms

The Clonard Swimming Team pictured at theopening of the Falls Park Swimming Pool

Funeral of Scoutmaster Alexander Denholm onthe Ormeau Road

New clubhouse at the Cliftonville Golf Club

A snowman at the corner of North Street

Clearing snow from Cliftonville Football Ground

Cliftonville fans have a snowball fight

Clearing snow from the tram tracks in DonegallStreet

The Century Bar at thejunction of North Streetand Royal Avenue

Laying the foundations for a new museum inBotanic Gardens

ABOVE & BELOW - The burnt out remainsof the Blackstaff Spinning and Weaving Ltd,Seymour Hill

1924


Laying tram tracks on the Ballygomartin Road

Burnt out remains of sheds at the Abercorn Basin

Harbour Office Hocky Team at Musgrave Park

Tombstone sculptors, Hamill Street

College SquarePolice Barracks

Piles of rubbish in Custom House Squareduring a strike

ABOVE & BELOW - A flooded York Street

The 10th Belfast Wolf Cub Pack

Corporation Square

Queing for dog licences at the Dog Registerian Office

Graymount Hospital

Work begins on the erection of a war memorialoutside Queens University

1924


The band of the Belfast Sea Cadets on parade in Dufferin Road

The Belfast Municipal Hospital forTuberculous Children

Lower Garfield Street

New tarmacadam mixing plant employed inconnection with the laying of an experimentalstretch of carriage way on the Antrim Road.This was the first road to be laid with ‘Tarmac’

New clubrooms of the Ulster Unionist LabourAssociation, York Street

Opening of a new air mail service between Belfast and Liverpool. ABOVE - The aeroplane andBELOW - The Lord Mayor (William Turner) declaring the service open

City of Belfast Police Tug-of-War Team

Shankill Road branch of the Belfast SavingsBank

The Ulster Art Club pictured at the FreeLibrary, Royal Avenue

Hampton House Industrial School for Girls,Balmoral Avenue

The Belfast Hippodrome

1924


ABOVE - Excavation work at WoodvaleBELOW - Members of the Housing Committee atcompleted houses in Woodvale

Police check cars on the Antrim Road

Members of the Girls’ Club Union, Alfred Street

Rifles seized in Currie Street

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 thetreatment of cancer at the Belfast Infirmary

ABOVE & BELOW - Electric cables being laidalong the Queens Bridge

The Duncairn Harriers pictured at the BelfastWaterworks

ABOVE & BELOW - Members of the Ex-Servicemens Association on a run betweenHolywood and Bellevue

1924


Outing for the children of the Belfast Workhouse

British MP’s on a visit to the York Street Mill

Members of the Development Commissionpictured at the Belfast Harbour Jetty

North Belfast Mission parade in York Street

Demolition work at the corner of GrosvenorRoad and Great Victoria Street

Burnt out remains of the Somerset Works inHardcastle Street

The birth place of Lord Kelvin in College Square

Snowball fight at the Mercantile College,Glenravel Street

A parade in aid of funds for the ‘ToilingAnimals’ making its way from the AlbertMemorial, Victoria Street

Christmas time in the Templemore AvenueHospital

1924

Snapshots of Belfast 1920 - 1924

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Transcript of Snapshots of Belfast 1920 - 1924