The Oldpark Road in North Belfast begins at 153 Crumlin Road winding its way northwards towards the Ballysillan area of the city.
The Oldpark area of Belfast sprang up in the late 19th and early 20th century. Thousands of small terraced houses cropped up throughout the city, accommodating mill workers and others migrating in from rural areas.
The area suffered under the Luftwaffe attacks of the Belfast Blitz in April and May 1941. The Douglas family lived off the road on Ballynure Street and lost many family members during The Easter Raid. St. Silas’ Church also suffered extensive damage. Further decline of the Oldpark area happened as a result of the more modern Troubles in Northern Ireland.
On 30th September 2019, a Second World War incendiary bomb was found in an attic of a house on the Oldpark Road. Police and Army Technical Officers visited the scene and removed the device for further investigation.
Oldpark Road in 1939
The following information is taken from the 1939 Belfast Street Directory.
| First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enfield Dairy Co. | ||
| 3 | George | McVeigh | Tobacconist |
| 5 | Oldpark Road Post Office | ||
| 7 | Devonshire Laundry | ||
| 7 | Pearl Dye Works | ||
| 7a | Vacant | ||
| 9 | Robert | Dickson | Fishmonger |
| 11 | Shepherd's Dairies Ltd. | ||
| 13 | J | Courtney | Butcher |
| 15 | Joseph | McCormick | Bakery |
| 17 | Miss E | Thompson | Draper |
| 19 | D | Livingston | Painter and Decorator |
| 21 | Thomas | Moore | Fruiterer |
| 23 | Jack's Furniture Shop | ||
| 25 | Samuel | Campton | Radio Dealer and Newsagent |
| 27 | RJ | Smyth | Butcher |
| 29 | James | Kelso | Confectioner |
| 31 | R | Strong | Bootmaker |
| 33-35 | W | Davison | Pawnbroker |
| 37 | Thomas | White | Grocer |
| 39 | GE | Kennedy | Agent |
| 41 | S | Clinton | |
| 43 | Joseph | McWilliams | Shoemaker |
| 45 | William | Crowe | Draper |
| 47 | M | Campbell | Fruiterer |
| 49 | DH | Gillespie | Confectioner |
| 51 | Isaac | Silvers | Tailor |
| 53 | Edith | York | Draper |
| 55 | Ebeneezer Gospel Hall | ||
| 57 | W | Dickson | Draper |
| 59 | J | Hamilton | Tobacconist |
| 61 | Cripples' Institute Boot Repairing Depot | ||
| 61a | Miss Annie | Reilly | Confectioner |
| 63 | John | Clements | Flesher |
| 65 | WG | Hagan | Hardware Merchant |
| 67 | WH | Jackson | Salesman |
| 69 | WJ | Adjey | Linen Lapper |
| 71 | Mrs. E | Harris | |
| 73 | Mrs. M | Leith | |
| 75 | WJ | McCoy | Iron Dresser |
| 77 | WJ | Foster | |
| 79 | Vacant | ||
| 81 | Thomas | Quinn | Confectioner |
| 83 | Vacant | ||
| 85 | Richard | Cummins | Plater |
| 87 | EE | Mountford | Manager |
| 89 | Porter | ||
| 91 | Alexander | Hogg | Bread Server |
| 93 | Henry | Swan | Storeman |
| 95 | Mrs. Elizabeth | Parkes | |
| 97 | Charles E | Sheridan | Boat Builder |
| 99 | Isaac | Graham | Bread Server |
| 101 | Hamilton | ||
| 103 | Mrs. Agnes | Kerr | |
| 105 | Royal Laundry | ||
| 105a | Mrs. E | Elliott | |
| 107 | H | McGreevy | |
| 109 | Mrs. Annie | Parkes | |
| 111 | Mrs. R | Whiteside | Draper |
| 113 | Miss Margaret | Campbell | Midwife |
| 115 | William | McNeilly | Conductor |
| 117-117a | AM | Dougan | Pharmaceutical Chemist |
| 119 | Thomas | Spence | Supper Saloon |
| 121 | McClelland Brothers | Drapers | |
| 121a | Herbert | Chambers | Labourer |
| 123 | Harris | ||
| 125 | David | McIntyre | Fitter |
| 127 | F | Hamilton | Damask Mounter |
| 129 | John | McNeilly | Foreman |
| 131 | W | Tannahill | Newsagent |
| 133 | David | Brown | Plasterer |
| 135 | Mrs. A | Stewart | Boot Merchant |
| 137 | A | Hewitt | Fruiterer |
| 139 | Thomas Martin and Sons | Painters and Decorators | |
| 141 | Mrs. Ellen | McGrath | |
| 143 | Celiste | Drapers | |
| 145 | Robert | Herron | Fishmonger |
| 147 | F | Worthington | Hairdresser |
| 149 | Alexander S | Patton | Butcher |
| 151 | Miss Rebecca | Gaston | |
| 153 | Mrs. | McKee | |
| 155 | C | Murray | Grocer |
| 155a | John Morgan and Sons | Builders and Contractors | |
| 157 | RJ | Watterson | Pharmaceutical Chemist |
| 159 | RJ | Watterson | Grocer |
| 161 | James | Rooney | Butcher |
| 163-165 | Stephen | McDowell | Tobacconist, Confectioner, and Fruiterer |
| 167 | WJ | McKee | Chemist |
| 169 | D | Kilpatrick | Hardware Merchant |
| 169a | R | Morton | |
| 171 | Finiston Sub Post Office | ||
| 173 | H | Corry | Confectioner |
| 173a | T | Campbell | Radio Dealer |
| 175 | Mrs. Dorothy | Braden | |
| 177 | James | Weir | Caulker |
| 179 | Mrs. M | Forsythe | |
| 181 | Mrs. Marion | Gowdy | |
| 183 | F | Kernaghan | Painter |
| 185 | NC | Johnston | Butcher |
| 187-189 | E | Mitchell | Pawnbroker |
| 191 | James | McGrand | Newsagent and Tobacconist |
| 193 | Mrs. | Grieves | Fruiterer |
| 195 | Mrs. RA | Gallagher | Agent |
| 197 | Margaret | Keenan | Confectioner |
| 199 | Miss C | Loughran | |
| 201 | S | McMonagle | |
| 203 | Kathleen | Hurley | Dressmaker |
| 205 | William | Walker | Labourer |
| 207 | Mrs. Jane | Duff | |
| 209 | J | Wilson | Seaman |
| 211 | Robert | Jones | Grocer |
| 213 | Peter | Synott | Tailor |
| 215 | A | Lyons | Sheet Metal Worker |
| 217 | Anthony | Monaghan | Plumber |
| 219 | Mrs. Sarah | Devlin | Agent |
| 221-223 | Ferguson Brothers | Grocers | |
| 225 | William | Haughey | Plasterer |
| 227 | Miss Agnes | McKeown | |
| 229 | John | Adams | Electrician |
| 231 | Miss M | Bryce | |
| 233 | Thomas | Welch | Labourer |
| 235 | W | Baird | Labourer |
| 237 | Miss | Gault | |
| 239 | Thomas | Culbert | Labourer |
| 241 | Miss D | McClaverty | |
| 243 | David | Larmour | Mechanic |
| 245 | W | Chambers | Confectioner |
| 247 | Miss E | McConnell | Newsagent |
| 249 | Robert J | Robinson | Barman |
| 251 | Miss | Gallagher | Drapery |
| 253 | David | Wilson | Joiner |
| 255 | Mrs. Mary E | Mahood | |
| 257 | Redmond | ||
| 259 | George | Mercer | Smith's Helper |
| 261 | Thomas Irwin | McCrudden | Boilermaker |
| 263 | A | Campbell | Watchman |
| 265 | A | Richardson | Coach Builder |
| 267 | Andrew | Minnis | Boilermaker |
| 269 | James | Berry | Salesman |
| 285-287 | Finiston Public Elementary School | ||
| 289 | George | Hamilton | |
| 291 | Frederick | Owens | |
| 293 | E | Tilley | |
| 295 | D | Carson | Rivetter |
| 297 | James | Wilson | Finisher |
| 299 | Mrs. Margaret | Shannon | |
| 301 | B | Kennedy | Builder |
| 301a | Mrs. | Stewart | |
| 303-317 | The Park Cinema | ||
| 319 | Robert H | Glenny | Dental Mechanic |
| 321 | Mrs. J | Bruce | |
| 323 | Robert | Baird | |
| 325 | R | Cockcroft | |
| 327 | James | Martin | Foreman |
| 329 | Vacant | ||
| 331 | Miss | Marshall | |
| 333 | John | Wilson | Plumber |
| 335 | Leonard | Sudway | Mechanic |
| 337 | George | Johnston | Carrier |
| 339 | Mrs. Rachael | Lloyd | |
| 341 | W | Lyons | Hackle Setter |
| 343 | Victor | Hogg | Bookkeeper |
| 345 | RH | Smith | Electrician |
| 347 | Mrs. R | Logier | |
| 349 | Mrs. Mary | Marshall | |
| 351 | Vacant | ||
| 353 | H | Arbuthnot | Supper Saloon |
| 355 | John C | Boyd | Fruiterer and Confectioner |
| 357 | Vacant | ||
| 359 | S | Hagan | Butcher |
| 361 | Vacant | ||
| 363 | Miss P | Boyd | Baby Linen Store |
| 365-369 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 371 | Vacant | ||
| 373 | E | Snoddy | Newsagent |
| 375 | Miss Ruth | McCafferty | |
| 377 | Robert | Ramsey | Labourer |
| 379 | Aaron | Paul | |
| 381 | John | Bradley | Labourer |
| 383 | Robert | Kennedy | Labourer |
| 385 | Mrs. | McLarnon | |
| 387 | Waddell J | Bratty | Moulder |
| 389 | Charles | Cameron | |
| 391 | Mrs. Elizabeth | Semple | |
| 393 | G | Gaston | Labourer |
| 395 | Mrs. Mary | English | |
| 397 | Samuel J | Ruth | Labourer |
| 399 | George | Alexander | Labourer |
| 401 | John | Clegg | Labourer |
| 403 | J | Crawford | Iron Turner |
| 405 | Robert | Telford | Window Cleaner |
| 407 | Andrew | Redpath | Labourer |
| 409 | James | Dalton | Labourer |
| 411 | Joseph | Paul | Labourer |
| 413 | William | Campbell | Labourer |
| 415 | Miss M | Blakely | |
| 417 | George | Coleman | Clerk |
| 419 | Mrs. E | McCallum | |
| 421 | John | Paul | Labourer |
| 423 | J | Paul | Labourer |
| 425 | James | Esler | Painter |
| 427 | Samuel | Haddock | Labourer |
| 429-431 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 433 | John | McCalmont | Boot and Shoe Maker |
| 435 | S | Nummy | Dairyman |
| 437 | Peter | Clerken | Civil Servant |
| 439 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 441 | R | Howard | Superintendent |
| 443 | Francis | Athenhurst | |
| 445 | AE | Stewart | |
| 447 | A | Kirkpatrick | Conductor |
| 449 | J | Bailey | Royal Ulster Constabulary |
| 451 | A | Thompson | Dressmaker |
| 453 | Thomas J | Preston | |
| 455 | Mrs. Isabella | Whan | |
| 457 | Edward | Cordner | Milk Vendor |
| 459 | JW | Hoctor | Engineer |
| 461 | James | Bell | Teacher |
| 463 | Mrs. C | McWhirter | |
| 465 | Hugh | Rankin | Traveller |
| 467 | Albert | Murphy | Royal Ulster Constabulary |
| 469 | Nelson | Savage | |
| 471 | EG | Johnston | Insurance Agent |
| 473 | Walter | Ashwood | Timekeeper |
| 475 | Miss Agnes | Rountree | |
| 477 | William | Burnett | Royal Ulster Constabulary |
| 479 | James | McVeigh | Joiner |
| 481 | A | Fair | Motorman |
| 483 | D | McClelland | |
| 485 | Mrs. Anna | Collins | |
| 487 | D | Mahood | Bootmaker |
| 489 | Miss | Henry | Draper |
| 491 | Vacant Shop | ||
| 493 | JH | McCay | Chemist |
| 495 | R | Walker | Boot Merchant |
| 497 | Mrs. Susan | Yule | |
| 499 | J | McCrainor | Engineer |
| 501 | H | McCrainor | Manager |
| 503 | Mrs. Grace | Heatley | |
| 505 | AV | Carson | Butcher |
| 507 | Belfast Co-Operative Society Ltd. | Grocers | |
| 509-511 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 513 | Mrs. R | Boyd | Dressmaker |
| 515 | R | Graham | Joiner |
| 517 | JB | McComb | Insurance Agent |
| 519 | E | Fullalove | |
| 521 | Mrs. Mary | Hughes | |
| 521 | Oldpark Public Elementary School | ||
| 523 | Stewarts Cash Stores Ltd. | ||
| 527 | Thomas | Johnston | Bread Server |
| 529 | TJ | Peel | Clerk |
| 531 | Miss M | McElhinney | |
| 533 | John | McElhinney | |
| 535 | Vacant | ||
| 537 | Mrs. Margaret | McDowell | |
| 539 | Alexander | Wilson | Teacher |
| 541 | Miss A | Collin | |
| 543 | Henry | Carson | Civil Servant |
| 545 | Joseph | Martin | Manager |
| 547 | Miss E | Morrow | |
| 549 | Miss M | Barr | |
| 551 | Miss MA | McIntosh | |
| 553 | GA | Moore | Inspector |
| 555 | Miss Margaret | Holland | |
| 557 | J | Waite | |
| 559 | H | Gault | Chemist |
| 561 | CH | Wilson | Pawnbroker |
| 563 | JJ | McOscar | |
| 565 | Miss M | Donnelly | |
| 567 | Thomas | Gibb | Foreman |
| 569 | J | Fitzpatrick | Manager |
| 571 | TH | Brennan | Tramway Official |
| 573 | Vacant | ||
| 575 | E | Johnston | Traveller |
| 577 | Mrs. | Gillette | |
| 579 | David | Adams | Blacksmith |
| 581 | W | Lyttle | Royal Ulster Constabulary Sergeant |
| 583 | Mrs. K | Kirkwood | |
| 585 | Mrs. SM | Salters | |
| 587 | Vacant | ||
| 589 | Lieutenant WT | Brierly DCM | Royal Artillery |
| 591 | WH | Wilson | Clerk |
| 593 | JH | Corry | Linen Merchant |
| 595 | D | Cowan | Courthouse Official |
| 597 | Dr. F | Henry | |
| 599 | Vacant | ||
| 601 | Hugh | Johnston | Coach Painter |
| 603 | Vacant | ||
| 605 | ESR | Knowles | Bookkeeper |
| 607 | Herbert | Taylor | Clerk |
| 609 | T | McKillen | Builders' Providers |
| 611 | John | Morgan | Builder |
| 613 | Alexander | McDougall | Masseur |
| 615 | William | Camlin | Salesman |
| 617 | William | Smyth | Salesman |
| 619 | James | Knox | Salesman |
| 621 | William | Owens | Clerk |
| 623 | James | McKeown | Grocer |
| 625 | In case of development. | ||
| 627 | TB | Molyneaux | |
| 629-633 | School under construction. | ||
| 635 | Mrs. A | Fittus | |
| 637 | Miss Nora | McLean | |
| 639 | F | O'Neill | Journalist |
| 641 | S | McKee | Preparing Master |
| 643-645 | S | Moore | Newsagent |
| 647 | Samuel | Kalb | Tailor |
| 649 | JH | Murray | Mechanic |
| 651 | AG | Poole | |
| 653 | Mrs. GB | Hickey | |
| 655-657 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 659-661 | S | Bunting | Confectioner |
| 663-683 | Four houses under construction. | ||
| 685 | CE | Deale | Grocer |
| 687 | JG | Peden | Draper |
| 689 | J | Irwin | Flesher |
| 691 | Miss E | Hamilton | Baker |
| 693 | Mrs. M | Crawford | Confectioner§ |
| 695 | WF | Neill | Estate Agent |
| 697 | Vacant Ground |