Earl Street, Belfast

You will not find Earl Street on a modern map of Belfast. During the Second World War, the street was the site of a fatal stabbing by an American GI.

Earl Street

Belfast

Northern Ireland

Yes! We Have No Bananas

By

6th May 2022

'Yes! We Have No Bananas' is a series of stories and reminisces of 24 people who experienced life during the Second World War in Northern Ireland.

A second contingent of the United States Army arrives in Northern Ireland

By

2nd March 2022

On 2nd March 1942, the second contingent of U.S. Army troops arrived at Belfast Docks in Northern Ireland joining those who arrived some weeks earlier.

Oscar, the luckiest cat in wartime Northern Ireland

Oscar, the luckiest cat in wartime Northern Ireland

By

5th July 2021

Oscar, a little black and white cat, survived the sinking of Bismarck, H.M.S. Cossack, and H.M.S. Ark Royal before finding fame in a sailors' home in Ulster.

Samuel Quigley

Samuel Quigley

Guardsman

Samuel Quigley of Muckamore, Co. Antrim served in 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. He met his wife Freda in unusual circumstances during the Second World War.

Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

The Old Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down

In April 1941, a total of 70 competitors from the military took part in rigorous off-road motorcycle trials around the old Whitespots Leadmines.

Conlig, Co. Down during the Second World War

Conlig, Co. Down during the Second World War

Co. Down

During the Second World War, rough terrain motorcycle trials and training exercises took place around the disused leadmines near Conlig, Co. Down.

Bristol Beaufort AW277 crash on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim

By

29th March 2021

At around 0400hrs on 29th March 1943, Bristol Beaufort AW277 came down on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim killing 4 crew members of No. 5 O.T.U.

St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Demesne Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

From November 1942 - December 1943, the British Army's General Service Corps No. 12 Primary Training Centre was at St. Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Army Salvage Depot, Doagh, Co. Antrim

Army Salvage Depot, Doagh, Co. Antrim

Mill Road, Doagh, Co. Anrim

During the Second World War, the Army Salvage Depot in Doagh, Co. Antrim operated from the site of the railway station that had lain unused since 1930.

Dunmore Park Barracks, Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

Dunmore Park Barracks, Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

Ashfield Crescent, Belfast

During the Second World War, the Dunmore Park Barracks in North Belfast was a base for Home Defence Battalions of the Royal Ulster Rifles.

Wartime Lough Neagh

Wartime Lough Neagh

During the Second World War, Lough Neagh was a valuable asset for the military in Northern Ireland who used the waters for training purposes.

“Red Army Day” celebrations on the streets of Belfast

“Red Army Day” celebrations on the streets of Belfast

By

20th February 2021

On 20th February 1943, the people of Belfast commemorated "Red Army Day" with a large military parade through the city attended by dignitaries.

Earl Street in 1943

The following information is taken from the 1943 Belfast Street Directory.

Number First Name(s) Last Name Occupation
1 N McDaid Publican
3-5 Earl Street Public Elementary School
3-5 Air Raid Precautions Post
7 Mrs A Rooney
9 David Watson Rivetter
11 Mrs E Calder
13 John Dwyer Seaman
15 David Anderson Labourer
17 Rose Gorman
19 James A Ellis
21-23 Vacant
25 J Blair Grocer
27 Vacant
29 Thomas M Rodgers Plumber
31 Mrs Georgina Bryson
33 TJ Kennedy Carter
35 Hugh Shaw
37 Matthew Montgomery
39 McKinstry
41 James Marcel
43 James Flanagan
45-47 Vacant
49 Ulster Bank House Branch Office
51 Gallaher Limited Customs Bonded Warehouse Stack H
2 Vacant
4 Johnson
6 Frank O'Rawe Labourer
8 Catherine Lavery
10 Mrs B Boyle
12 M Scott
14 Wilson
16 A Rafferty
18 George Farley
20 Vacant
22 Mrs Jane Freeburn
24 Arthur Hurwood Glass Embosser
26 Robert Flannigan
28 Samuel Bates Flagger
30 William Boal Rivetter
32 William John Nesbitt Labourer
34 Vacant
36 Mrs E Sheeran Grocer
38 Mrs Annie Kennedy
40-46 Vacant
48 Michael McLaughlin
50 Walter Robinson Labourer
52 Leonard Calder Caulker
54 Thomas Todd
56 Clark Todd Driller
58 Samuel Cairns Labourer
60 Vacant
62a-72 Vacant
74 Vacant
88 John Knox
90 Brannagh
92 J Lackey Fitter's Helper
94 Mrs M Minn
96 Charles Axon Seaman
98 Thomas Carson
100 Murray
102 George Robinson
104-110 Vacant
112 Mary McKinley
114 Elizabeth Kerney
116 James McComb
118 John Wilson Labourer
120-122 Vacant
124 E Keyes Labourer
126 R Rowley
134 Henry Wilson Labourer
136 John Thompson
138 Elizabeth Shields
140 Annie Wilson
142 Mrs Mitchell
144 Mrs Charlton
146 Mrs Catherine McWade
148 McKeown
150 Ed Wilson
152 J Anderson
154 R McKinley
156 Mrs Ferran
158 Annie Murdock
160 Joseph Murdock
162 John Shepherd
164 Vacant

Places of Interest

The following places will be of interest to anyone wishing to explore more of the area's Second World War heritage.

Map showing Earl Street Boys’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

Earl Street Boys’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

3-5 Earl Street, Belfast

You will not find Earl Street Boys' School on a modern map of Belfast. The old Sailortown faced the property developers' wrecking ball in post-war years.

Map showing Earl Street Girls’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

Earl Street Girls’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

3-5 Earl Street, Belfast

Earl Street Girls' School was on the now demolished Earl Street in the heart of north Belfast's Sailortown, a community of working class dockside residents.

Map showing Earl Street Infants’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

Earl Street Infants’ School, Earl Street, Belfast

3-5 Earl Street, Belfast

Earl Street Infants' School stood on Earl Street in Belfast's historic Sailortown, a part of the city inhabited by some of the toughest and poorest people.

References
  1. Lennon Wylie