The Ormeau Road in South Belfast begins where Cromac Street merges with Ormeau Avenue. It continues south to where Church Road meets Saintfield Road. First built in 1815, Ormeau Road was then known as the New Ballynafeigh Road. The parallel Ravenhill Road at the time was the Old Ballynafeigh Road.
During the Second World War, personnel of the U.S. Army were a familiar sight in the area. The American Military assembled vehicles along the edge of the Ormeau Park along what is now the Ormeau Embankment. The British Army also occupied buildings such as Havelock House, from where they guarded bridges over the River Lagan.
Ormeau Road in 1943
The following information is taken from the 1943 Belfast Street Directory.
| First Name(s) | Last Name | Occupation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FH | Gillespie | Publican |
| 3 | FW | Howe | Tobacconist |
| 5 | Samuel | Watterson | Hairdresser |
| 7 | H | Weir | Chemist |
| 9 | Vacant | ||
| 11 | Watters' | Home Bakery | |
| 13 | Mrs Mary E | Poots | |
| 15 | Annie | Rainey | Confectioner |
| 17 | Vacant | ||
| 17a | Adelaide Recreation Club | ||
| 19 | Linens Ltd | Linen and Handkerchief Manufacturer | |
| 21 | Bell's Asbestos and Engineering Ltd | ||
| 23 | J | Morrison | Printer |
| 23 | N | Gardiner | Stationer |
| 25 | DG | Meharg | Wine and Spirit Merchant |
| 27-29 | H | Gallagher | Publican |
| 31 | Mrs | Agnew | Fruiterer |
| 33 | WH | Kelly | Hairdresser |
| 35 | HH | Nesbitt | Baker |
| 37 | Vacant | ||
| 39 | L | Barrett | Tobacconist |
| 41 | Vacant | ||
| 43 | J | Yarr | Flesher Proprietor |
| 43a | James | Walker | Commercial Agent |
| 45 | JH | Allen | Pawnbroker |
| 47 | Vacant | ||
| 49 | R | Dow | Butcher |
| 51 | Joseph | Dixon | Watchmaker |
| 53 | Elizabeth | McGregor | |
| 55 | The Misses | Quinn | |
| 57 | Mrs C | Williams | |
| 59 | Vacant | ||
| 61 | H | Creath | Outfitter |
| 63 | AH | Gardner | Home Bakery |
| 65 | WJ | Carlisle | Confectioner |
| 67 | JG | Patterson | Provision Merchant |
| 69 | NAAFI | ||
| 71 | JA | McRoberts | Pharmaceutical Chemist |
| 73 | J | Miller | Painter and Decorator |
| 75 | Jack | Rooney | Supper Saloon |
| 77 | Mrs Martha | Gray | Tobacconist |
| 79 | Miss Grace | Bogue | |
| 81 | JP | Mullen | |
| 83 | Samuel | Bingham | Painter |
| 83a | H | Linton | Furniture Dealer |
| 85 | Imperial Ballroom | Occupied by HM Government | |
| 85 | Ormeau Road Methodist Church | ||
| 87 | Miss E | Wellwood | Chemist |
| 89 | Vacant | ||
| 91 | John W | Arnold | |
| 91 | Miss A | Newell | Costumier |
| 93 | G | Dunn | Flesher |
| 95 | Vacant | ||
| 97 | Melville and Co. Ltd | Funeral Furnishers and Motor Hirers | |
| 99 | John | Spratt | Shop Man |
| 101 | Air Raid Precautions Post | ||
| 103 | William | Hutchinson | Driver |
| 105 | Mrs | Riley | |
| 107 | James | Corr | Rent Agent |
| 109 | Joseph | Poole | Motor Manager |
| 111 | Samuel | Martin | Grocer |
| 113 | Martin | Coen | Publican |
| 115 | Cafe Savola | ||
| 117 | Vacant | ||
| 119 | H | Clindinning | Newsagent |
| 121 | William | Gibson | Grocer |
| 121 | F | Woods | Hairdresser |
| 123 | Mrs | Lochart | |
| 123 | Miss | Grierson | |
| 123 | Major | Jeffrey | |
| 125 | Henry | Wylie | Traveller |
| 127 | Archibald O | Campbell | |
| 127 | L | Milne | Dressmaker |
| 127 | Miss Mina | Dubois | |
| 129 | Mrs | Patton | |
| 131 | Miss CM | Jackson | |
| 133 | WJ | Orr | Dentist |
| 135 | D | Parks | Hairdresser |
| 137 | Dr William | Rutherford | |
| 139 | HW | Black | Physician |
| 141 | SA | Deans | Surgeon Dentist |
| 143 | Belfast Co-Operative Society | Funeral Furnishing | |
| 145 | Samuel | Torrens | Draper |
| 147 | W&A | Gibney | Wine Merchants |
| 147a | Miss Eva | Gray | |
| 149 | C | Murphy | Clerk |
| 151 | Patrick | McGurk | |
| 153 | John | McCrea | |
| 155 | WJ | Lawther | Plumber |
| 157 | Mrs Jane | Crawford | |
| 159 | David | Colville | Accountant |
| 161 | D | Cuming | Surgeon |
| 163 | H&J Martin Ltd | Ulster Building Works | |
| 163 | Martin Estates Co. Ltd | Estate Owners | |
| 165 | Orr Chemists Ltd | ||
| 167 | Scott Brothers' Grocers | ||
| 167a | J | Ball | |
| 167a | Alfred F | Wilson | |
| 169a | Lewis Brothers' | ||
| 169 | WR | Hamilton | Butcher |
| 171 | Flemings' Garage | Auto Engineers | |
| 171 | L | Wilson | Supper Saloon |
| 173 | J | Steenson | |
| 173 | John | McAveen | |
| 173 | T | McManus | |
| 173 | Hugh | MacKenzie | |
| 173 | Thomas | Gordon | |
| 173 | Mrs B | Kelly | |
| 173 | James | Geddes | |
| 173 | I | Pike | |
| 173 | John | Armstrong | |
| 173 | William | Douglas | |
| 173 | J | Morgan | |
| 175 | S | Robinson | Grocer |
| 177 | Vacant | ||
| 179 | WC | McCartney | |
| 181 | Ormeau Gospel Hall | ||
| 183 | Bowles and Co | Flesher | |
| 185 | George | Green | Fruiterer |
| 187 | John | Smith | Shoemaker |
| 189 | Apollo Cinema | ||
| 249-259 | WH Reay and Co Ltd | Motor Engineers | |
| 263 | Jubilee Hall | ||
| 267 | H | Campbell | Flesher |
| 269 | E | Ralph | |
| 269a | F | Marshall | Draper |
| 271 | SC | Honan | Shoemaker |
| 271a | W | Smith | Hairdresser |
| 273 | William C | McDowell | Grocer |
| 275 | Vacant | ||
| 279 | LM | Maltman | |
| 281 | John | Boyd | Surgeon |
| 283 | Belfast Co-Operative Society | Grocer | |
| 285a | Gospel Hall | ||
| 285 | Miss E | Craig | Confectioner |
| 287 | J | Graham | Bakery |
| 287a | Miss E | Bullick | Hairdresser |
| 289 | Belfast Co-Operative Society | Pharmacy | |
| 291 | George | Manning | Dentist |
| 293 | James R | Wilson | Leather Merchant |
| 295 | Mrs | Giffin | |
| 297 | Dr CW | Musgrave | Surgeon |
| 299 | R | Dunn | |
| 301 | James | Rogan | |
| 303 | Vacant | ||
| 305 | Ava Pharmacy Ltd | Pharmacy | |
| 307-317 | Ormeau Bakery Ltd | Bakery | |
| 319-321 | R | Ralph | Painter |
| 323 | David | McClure | Clerk |
| 325 | James | Dodds | Mechanic |
| 327 | Mrs | Brittain | |
| 329 | Miss | Morgan | Dressmaker |
| 331 | Samuel | Jackson | Bread Server |
| 333 | M | Graham | |
| 335 | Edward | Martin | Clerk |
| 337 | William | Gardiner | Plumber |
| 339 | Ernest | Smyth | Cutter |
| 341 | Samuel | McKelvey | Plumber |
| 343a | Shaftesbury Bowling Club | ||
| 343-345 | George | Coutts | Grocer |
| 347 | E | Lyons | Confectioner |
| 349 | N | Gordon | Baker |
| 351 | Speers and Newell | Draper | |
| 353 | John | Rodgers | Grocer |
| 355 | Graham Brothers | Butchers | |
| 357 | J | McCormick | Confectioner |
| 359 | A | McCormick | Fruiterer |
| 361 | W | Hastings | Wine and Spirit Merchant |
| 363a | Mrs Ethel | Agnew | |
| 363 | The Oriel Pharmacy | Pharmacy | |
| 365-367 | R | Murphy | Draper |
| 369 | Edward | Downing | Hardware Merchant and Newsagent |
| 369 | Adam | Turner | Undertaker and Motor Hirer |
| 371 | Ballynafeigh Post Office | Post Office | |
| 373 | F | Heatley | Grocer |
| 375 | W&A Gilbey Ltd | Wine Merchant | |
| 377 | Occupied | ||
| 379 | Miss | Callow | Confectioner |
| 381 | J | Myers | Painter |
| 383-385 | A | Borza | Cafe |
| 387 | A | Noble | Grocer |
| 389 | S | Riddell | Boot Repairer |
| 391 | Thompson's Dyeworks | ||
| 393 | N | Mayne | Fish Merchant |
| 395 | White | Home Bakery | |
| 397 | S | Douglas | Butcher |
| 397a | Miss | Gray | Dressmaker |
| 399-401 | T | Stirling | Flesher |
| 403 | SR | Brooks | Confectioner |
| 405 | RJ | Nixon | Flesher |
| 407 | R | Morrow | Electrician |
| 409 | SJ | Agnew | Draper |
| 411 | Turner's Fruit Market Ltd | Fruiterer | |
| 413 | Ballynafeigh Orange Hall | ||
| 415 | ES | Martin | Confectioner |
| 417 | JC | Brown | Newsagent |
| 419 | Agnes | Woods | Confectioner |
| 421 | J | Silo | Soldier |
| 423 | St Jude's Public Elementary School | School | |
| 425 | WH | Scott | Fruiterer |
| 427 | William | McElroy | Boot Repairer |
| 429 | Henry Laverty and Co | Grocer | |
| 431 | Miss F | Greenan | Confectioner |
| 433 | H | Shanks | Hairdresser |
| 435 | W | Reid | Cycle Depot |
| 437 | Thompson | Bakery | |
| 439 | J | Reid | Butcher |
| 441 | HH | Cowzer | Chemist |
| 441a | Miss E | Firth | Confectioner |
| 443 | Stewart Brothers' | Grocers | |
| 445 | Mrs E | Galt | |
| 447 | Mrs S | McCaughey | |
| 449 | Mrs | Kane | |
| 451 | Braithewaite and McCann | Spirit Merchants | |
| 453 | Ballynafeigh RUC Station | ||
| 455 | ME | Poston | Draper |
| 457 | R | Hodgen | |
| 459 | Patrick | Rice | Traveller |
| 461 | John | Douglas | Plater |
| 463 | John | McCaw | |
| 465 | O'Kane | ||
| 467 | Vacant | ||
| 469 | Samuel | Courtney | Wholesale Provision Merchant |
| 471 | Mrs | Partington | |
| 473 | Mrs A | Shiel | |
| 475 | RB | Pinkerton | Linen Business |
| 477 | AE | Brown | Surgeon |
| 479 | Mrs K | Macauley | |
| 481 | PJ | McCusker | |
| 483 | W | Robinson | Surgeon |
| 485 | Vacant | ||
| 487-511 | Convent of the Good Shepherd | ||
| 513 | Miss M | Beggs | Sub Postmasters |
| 515 | J | McCoubrey | |
| 517 | Miss | Spence | |
| 519 | Mrs | German | |
| 521 | Bell | ||
| 523 | A | Carney | |
| 525 | Mrs | Burton | |
| 527 | Frank | Moody | |
| 529 | M | Hanvey | Shoemaker |
| 531 | James Winfred | Gilpin | |
| 533 | Mrs | McAlpine | |
| 535 | John | Wadsworth | |
| 537 | C | Bryans | Traveller |
| 539 | W | Sweeney | Marine Engineer |
| 541 | Mrs | Graham | |
| 543 | Miss | McCreight | |
| 545 | J | Mullally | Post Office Superintendent |
| 547 | Mrs | White | |
| 549 | Dr John W | Nesbitt | |
| 551 | Mrs | Lindsay | |
| 553 | Miss | Keenan | |
| 555 | Mrs | Greer | |
| 557 | JE | Logan | |
| 559 | Jane | Strafford | |
| 561 | RH | Smith | Commercial Agent |
| 563 | James | Walker | |
| 565 | E & M McGlade | Confectioners | |
| 567 | R& C McGlade | Grocers | |
| 569 | G | McGlade | Rosetta Garage |
| 583 | WJ | Melville | Labourer |
| 585 | J | Jenkins | Labourer |
| 587 | Mrs | Gray | |
| 589 | Thomas | Burns | Carter |
| 591 | J | Kerley | Postal Official |
| 593 | W | Williamson | Painter |
| 595 | Miss | Lindsay | |
| 597-601 | A | Thompson | "Donnybrook" |
| 603-611 | Mrs Elizabeth | Rainey | "Elsmere" |
| 613 | Mrs Sarah | Bell | |
| 615 | JH | Walls | Assistant Manager |
| 617 | George | Heslip | |
| 619 | WJ | Gibson | |
| 621 | Mrs | Elliott | |
| 2-18 | Belfast Corporation Gasworks | ||
| 20 | Ulster Cycle Service Depot | ||
| 22-24 | Edward | Hodge | |
| 28 | FH | Kirkwood | Book Keeper |
| 30 | James L | Armstrong | |
| 32 | Harriett | Martin | |
| 34 | Red Cross Salvage Depot | ||
| 36 | CF | Cameron | Dentist |
| 38-40 | J&J | Forster | Grocers |
| 42 | Henry | Irvine | Electrical Engineer |
| 44 | S | Jones | Tobacconist |
| 46 | R | Macartney | Plumber |
| 48 | Miss | McKenna | Draper |
| 50 | Vacant | ||
| 52-126 | North of Ireland Football and Cricket Cub | ||
| 128 | Robert | Martin | Dentist |
| 128 | Harold L | Martin | Surgeon |
| 130 | Braithewaite and McCann | Wine Merchants | |
| 132 | Joseph J | Matthews | Grocer |
| 134-136 | Vacant | ||
| 138 | James | Anderson | |
| 140-142 | Edward | McEvoy | Publican |
| 144 | Mrs Mary | Gracey | |
| 146 | R&J | Hill | Fleshers |
| 148 | ES | Couser | |
| 150 | H | Yates | Clerk |
| 152 | Miss | Hunter | |
| 154 | J&M | Dowey | Hairdresser |
| 154 | Thomas H | Pearson | Joiner |
| 156 | H | Walsh | Stationer |
| 158 | Mrs A | Gibson | Confectioner |
| 160 | Ormeau Road Post Office | ||
| 160 | Norah | Surplus | Hairdresser |
| 162 | Bruce | Menmuir | Watchmaker |
| 164 | James | McMaster | Grocer |
| 166 | S | Duff | Provision Merchant |
| 168 | Sinclair | Connor | Plumber |
| 170-172 | T | Uprichard | Fruiterer |
| 174 | T | Rea | Hairdresser |
| 176 | Thompson's Bakers Ltd | Bakery | |
| 178 | Irish Preserve and Confectionery Co | ||
| 180 | Vacant | ||
| 182 | Stewart's Cash Stores | ||
| 184 | McDowell Brothers' | Fleshers | |
| 186 | WJ | Scott | Traveller |
| 188 | John | McCormack | Royal Ulster Constabulary |
| 190 | Mrs MJ | Hamilton | |
| 192 | Mrs M | McBride | |
| 194 | Mrs Jane | Potts | |
| 196 | Mrs | Curragh | |
| 198 | Robert D | Montgomery | |
| 200 | Mrs | Millar | |
| 202 | Miss | Motram | Music Teacher |
| 206-210 | TW | Harpur | General Merchants |
| 212-214 | Ormeau Public Park | ||
| 216 | Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church | ||
| 218 | William | Wilson | |
| 220 | Mrs | Millen | |
| 222 | JB | Young | Surgeon |
| 224 | Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church Rest House | ||
| 228 | J | Downing | Dental Surgeon |
| 230 | Dr MB | Porter | Surgeon |
| 232 | Miss | Park | Music Teacher |
| 234 | J | Dunwoody | Painter |
| 236 | Mrs | Rogerson | |
| 238 | Thomas | Reid | Painter |
| 240 | John | Jordan | Linesman |
| 242 | Margaret | Peace | |
| 244-246 | Smyth and McClure Cash Stores | ||
| 248 | Devonshire Laundry | ||
| 250 | John | Myers | Butcher |
| 252 | John | D'Arcy | Fishmonger |
| 254 | H | Campbell | Bootmaker |
| 256 | Mrs | Smith | |
| 258 | J | Finney | Fruiterer |
| 260 | Social Cafe | ||
| 262 | Mrs | Busby | |
| 264 | C | Johnston | Carter |
| 266 | George | Burrell | Soldier |
| 268 | Mrs Margaret | McCullough | |
| 270 | James | Reid | Labourer |
| 272 | WJ | Patton | Bricklayer |
| 274 | Lough Brothers | Gents Outfitters | |
| 276 | Stewarts' Cash Stores | ||
| 278 | Stevens' Cash Stores | ||
| 280 | Marguerite | Ladies' Outfitters | |
| 282 | Stewarts Cash Stores | ||
| 294 | Telephone Exchange | ||
| 296-298 | Mrs | Bell | Spirit Merchant |
| 300 | Curzon Cinema | ||
| 302 | Miss F | Pitt | |
| 304 | A | England | Draper |
| 306 | B | Faulkner | Hairdresser |
| 308 | Castle Dye Works | ||
| 310 | Gilpins' | Gents Outfitters | |
| 312-318 | RH | Maltman | Motor Agents and Hirers |
| 320 | Charles | McQuade | Spirit Merchant |
| 322 | F | Frazer | Grocer |
| 324 | TB | Cole | |
| 326 | BF | McHugh | Joiner |
| 330 | Mrs JG | Carrothers | |
| 332 | Mrs | Pearce | |
| 334 | WM | Christian | |
| 336 | Mrs S | Rea | |
| 338 | David A | Rea | Assistant Shipyard Manager |
| 340 | St Jude's Church of Ireland | ||
| 342 | Mrs | Wright | |
| 344 | J | Beringer | |
| 346 | F | Scullin | |
| 348 | Presbytery of the Holy Rosary | ||
| 350 | Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church | ||
| 352 | Nazareth House Home | ||
| 354-360 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 362 | Mrs H | Hobson | |
| 364 | WJ | Hendron | Publican |
| 366 | Miss | Hogg | |
| 366 | Fisher | ||
| 366 | HA | McVeigh | |
| 368 | WJ | Bourke | |
| 368 | John | Anderson | Manufacturer |
| 368 | HA | Layland | |
| 370 | Mrs Mary | Tate | |
| 372 | Dr GA | Donaldson | |
| 374 | St John's Presbyterian Church | ||
| 376 | Rev WR | Megaw | |
| 378 | St John's Presbyterian Church Lecture Hall | ||
| 380 | Rosetta Nursing Home | ||
| 382 | J | Clugston | Overseer |
| 384 | Entrance to Garages | ||
| 386 | Miss | Shaw | |
| 388 | First Aid Post | ||
| 390 | Belfast Co-Operative Society | Grocers | |
| 392-398 | Vacant Ground | ||
| 400 | W | Duncan | |
| 402 | Miss R | Devine | |
| 404 | Dr Charles | Reid | |
| 406 | Major RG | Anderson | |
| 408 | Miss M | Moncrieff | |
| 410 | RA | Douglas | Estate Agent |
| 412 | Vacant | ||
| 414 | JB | McCutcheon | Solicitor |
| 416-418 | Corporation Toll Office | ||
| 420-422 | Miss Isabel | Smyth | Draper |
| 424-426 | Blair and Rogers | Home Bakery | |
| 428 | Mrs | McClure | |
| 430 | Mrs | Currie | |
| 432 | FJ | Cromie | Butcher |
| 434 | J | Cromie | |
| 436-438 | G | Smyth | Chemist |
| 440-442 | OH | Liken | Tobacconist |
| 444-446 | TM | Scott | Grocer |
| 448 | Alfred | Shipp | Manufacturer |
| 450 | Mrs Charlotte | Fowler | |
| 452 | FC | Kerr | "Derravaragh" |
Places of Interest
The following places will be of interest to anyone wishing to explore more of the area's Second World War heritage.