The Beersbridge Road was at one time the main route to Dundonald Village this was before the building of the Newtownard's and Albertbridge Road's, the Albertbridge and Newtownard's Road's were built on marshy ground that before had only contained footpaths. The Albert Bridge was formally known as the Halfpenny Bridge and it was built in 1831, the name Albert comes from the name of the prince regent Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. On the upper part of the Beersbridge Road was the Bloomfield train station and level crossing, the station master was called H.F.Newman and the station platform was about were the end of Evelyn Street is today. Facing the upper end of Ravenscroft Avenue on the main Beersbridge Road were five big houses these were Beechwood, Novara,Shamrock Cottage and Poplar Villas. The map of Belfast dated 1895 shows the tram lines under construction on the Upper Newtownards Road and the Holywood Arches with the County Down railway line in operation. At the bottom end of Bloomfield Avenue near the junction with the Newtownards Road there were three streets, Milk Street, Second Street and Fourth Street after Fourth Street was Bloomfield Street this is were Budget D.I.Y. and Connswater Shopping Centre are today. On the corner of Bloomfield Street was Haslingden Terrace, on the other side of the Newtownards Road facing Bloomfield Avenue were two streets and one terrace, the streets were called Manderson and Milk Street.

Beersbridge Road.

Back to home page.

Back to index.