Garmoyle Street, Belfast lies in the heart of the old Sailortown District, running from Corporation Street to Whitla Street. Over recent decades, redevelopment of the area has left it almost unrecognisable with many of the houses and businesses demolished.
It was on these streets, that locals gathered in January 1942 to witness the arrival of 34th Infantry Division, United States Army. These men were part of the first American Infantry division to set foot in Europe in the Second World War.
Garmoyle Street in 1939
The following information is taken from the 1939 Belfast Street Directory.
| Number | First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | Mrs. M. | Moane | Grocer |
| 7. | P. | O'Connor | Confectioner |
| 7b. | Edward | McCloskey | Seaman |
| 7c. | Mrs. Annie | Murphy | |
| 9. | Richard | Byrne | Publican |
| 11. | John | Miller | Grocer |
| 13. | J. | Rooney | Commercial Agent |
| 15. | Edward | Donnelly | Labourer |
| 17. | Miss Mary | Kirvan | |
| 19. | Alexander | Quinn | Labourer |
| 21. | F.W. | Relf | Motor Driver |
| 23. | William | Gorman | Labourer |
| 25. | Mrs. | Herrity | |
| 27. | James | O'Connor | Labourer |
| 29. | J.F. | O'Rourke | Publican |
| 31-35. | James P. Corry and Co. Ltd. | Timber Merchants | |
| 37. | W. | Watterworth | |
| 2. | Neal | McDaid | Publican |
| 4-6 | Mary | Leonard | Confectioner |
| 8. | Mrs. Annie | McCullough | |
| 10. | Feenan and Hughes | Builders and Contractors | |
| 12. | B. | O'Rawe | Restaurant |
| 14-16. | W. | Rooney | Newsagent |
| 18. | Vacant | ||
| 20. | Steeplechase Bar | ||
| 22. | George | Leonard | Hairdresser |
| 24-26. | Garmoyle Social Club | ||
| 28. | Heysham and Glasgow Hotel | ||
| 30. | Stores | ||
| 32. | J. | Mulvenna | Confectioner |
| 34. | Vacant | ||
| 36-38. | Peter Keegan and Co. Ltd. | Customs Bonded Warehouse | |
| 40. | S. Smith Ltd. | Publicans | |
| 42. | Vacant | ||
| 44. | Mrs. Mary Jane | Murphy | |
| 46. | Thomas | Honey | Carpenter |
| 48-50. | Vacant | ||
| 54-56. | James P. Corry and Co. Ltd. | Timber Store | |
| 58. | Vacant |
Garmoyle Street in 1943
The following information is taken from the 1943 Belfast Street Directory.
| Number | First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-7. | Thomas | Lowry | Shoemaker |
| 9. | Richard | Byrne | Publican |
| 11-13. | Vacant | ||
| 15. | Edward | Donnelly | Labourer |
| 17. | Mrs. | Irvine | |
| 19. | Alexander | Quinn | Labourer |
| 21. | F.W. | Relf | Motor Driver |
| 23. | Mrs. | Gorman | |
| 25. | Mrs. | Herrity | |
| 27. | Mrs. | O'Connor | |
| 29. | J.F. | O'Rourke | Publican |
| 31-39. | James P. Corry and Co. Ltd. | Timber Merchants | |
| 2. | Neal | McDaid | Publican |
| 4-6. | Mary | Leonard | Confectioner |
| 8. | Mrs. Annie | McCullough | |
| 10. | Feenan and Hughes | Builders and Contractors | |
| 12. | B. | O'Rawe | Restaurant |
| 14-16. | W. | Rooney | Newsagent |
| 18. | Vacant | ||
| 20. | Hugh | Callaghan | Publican |
| 22. | George | Leonard | Hairdresser |
| 24-26. | Lewis | Campbell | Labourer |
| 28. | Heysham and Glasgow Hotel | ||
| 30. | Stores | ||
| 32. | J. | Mulvenna | Confectioner |
| 34. | T. | McConaghy | Publican |
| 36-38. | Vacant | ||
| 40. | Maguire Brothers | Publicans | |
| 42. | M. | Concannon | Labourer |
| 44. | Mrs. Mary Jane | Murphy | |
| 46. | Thomas | Honey | Carpenter |
| 48. | Irish Arc Welding Co. Ltd. | ||
| 50. | Hugh | Gault | Labourer |
| 52. | Thomas | Maguire | Publican |
| 54-56. | James P. Corry and Co. Ltd. | Timber Store | |
| 58. | 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.