The Rinkha is a family-owned ice-cream parlour and general store dating back almost a century. They cater to the shopping needs of the local community in Islandmagee, Co. Antrim but visitors come from far and wide for the delicious ice-cream.
The business has remained in the family for 4 generations since Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Hawkins founded a small general store in Islandmagee, Co. Antrim in 1921. Known as The Gobbins Stores, it was here that the Hawkins family developed their much-loved ice-cream recipe. In 1921, the ice-cream hand-turned in wooden churns.
WartimeNI Photo: The Rinkha, now famous as a place to enjoy ice cream and browse the toys and other items for sale was once a dancehall frequented by American GIs in wartime. Photo taken on 20th April 2019. Copyright Scott Edgar - WartimeNI.
In 1935, W.J. Hawkins branched out with some ambitious ideas for the time. Despite the relatively small population of Islandmagee, Co. Antrim and the surrounding area, he opened a dancehall on the current site. Next to the hall was a large area for car parking despite the few vehicles on the roads at the time. A local historian Dixon Donaldson put forward the new name of ‘The Rinkha’ coming from the Irish phrase meaning a place to dance or a place of mirth.
W.J. Hawkins’ son Billy took over the family business and set up a small shop and café on the same site as the dancehall. At the same time, ice-cream production moved to Middle Road from The Gobbins Stores.
During the Second World War, the vision of W.J. Hawkins paid off. With hundreds of members of the United States Army based at nearby Redhall, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim, the dancehall proved a popular spot in wartime. British and Belgian troops also had bases throughout the area. As well as attending the regular dances held by The Rinkha, the U.S. Army from time to time hired the dancehall for their own events. Visitors to the store today can still see the old “No Jitterbugging” sign.
While the dancehall scene in Northern Ireland died off following the showbands era in the 1960s and 1970s, The Rinkha still stands. Thousand of visitors each year enjoy the homemade ice-cream and a browse around the many items in the store. Call in, buy a poke or a slider, and see what Second World War reminders you can spot.