North Belfast

North Belfast remains a divided area in the city. It is mainly a working-class. During the 1940s the area was home to the waterworks, mills, and the docks.

North Belfast centres on the areas around Ardoyne, Ballysillan, Cliftonville, and New Lodge in Belfast, Co. Antrim. Today, it remains a divided area where Peace Lines cut through streets enforcing sectarian division.

The main demographic of the area is seen as working class. Despite some upscale residential areas on the slope of Cavehill and around Belfast Castle, there is also a lot of social housing. This part of Belfast contains suffered high levels of violence during the troubles and remains divided by Peace Lines today.

During World War Two, the area suffered heavy damage during the Luftwaffe’s Belfast Blitz. There were several aircraft crashes in the Belfast Hills including one on Cavehill, famously made into the movie ‘Closing The Ring’.

Map showing North Queen Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

North Queen Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

North Queen Street runs from Donegall Street to York Road in the north of the city. Proximity to Victora Barracks meant it suffered in the Belfast Blitz.

Map showing Pilot Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Pilot Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Pilot Street lies in what was once the historic Sailortown area of Belfast by the docks. Today, the area is unrecognisable due to extensive redevelopment.

Map showing Unity Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Unity Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Unity Street in North Belfast, Co. Antrim was hit in The Easter Raid of the Belfast Blitz on the night of 15th-16th April 1941 destroying Trinity Church.

Map showing Vicinage Park, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Vicinage Park, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Vicinage Park in north Belfast, Co. Antrim suffered great damage during the Belfast Blitz of April and May 1941. It was home to many Jewish families.

Map showing York Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim

York Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Belfast, Co. Antrim

Continuing on from York Street as it leaves Belfast City Centre, the York Road area was devastated by Luftwaffe bombs during the Belfast Blitz of 1941.