Welcome to Beechmount Falls Road
BEECHMOUNT HOUSE, FROM WHICH THE AREA GETS IT'S NAME .. little is recorded of the very early history of Beechmount House it is known that it at one time was owned by a Rev. Patrick Vance who was the great grandfather of the Sculptor, Albert Bruce-Joy, whose mother was actually born at the house. His father was Dr. William Bruce-Joy who stemmed from two locally well known families, Bruce, founder of the Belfast Academy and Joy the family who founded the “Belfast Newsletter” a female member of this family was also the mother of the Patriot Martyr Henry Joy McCracken. ‘Beechmount House” stood atop a hill surrounded by 31 acres of land, and had many Beech trees around it, hence “Beechmount”, later many local streets got their names from this. In the early 1800’s it had two gate lodges one on the main Falls Road and the other at a service entrance on the ‘Giant’s Foot Lane”, also known as Beechmount Lane, this Lodge House was removed over a hundred years ago, the other was there until quite recently, opposite where the old Broadway picture house was. The next owner of the property was a Lewis Redford, a Belfast Merchant. It was in the late 1800’s that a jeweller, Samuel Riddel bought the house and he and his family lived there in grand style, I remember speaking to old people many years ago who told me of regularly seeing Riddel and his daughters riding down the Falls Road in an open carriage. .“like proper royalty”, the big stone wall that runs along the property facing the Falls Road was built in 1910.It is said that the Riddles originated from Comber, Co Down and were related to the famous Belfast Jewellers and clockmakers Niels. You will see the name Riddel spelt many different ways but I believe “Riddel” is the proper because they built’ and owned ‘Riddel’s Arcade’ a shopping mall off Donegall Place and they would hardly have their name spelt incorrectly on a street named after them. Generally Falls Road Catholic’s/Nationalists believe that Samuel Riddle had it wrote into the deeds of his Beechmount House..’... that this property may never fall into Papish hands’, or words to that effect, personally I would image that that wording had been present in the deeds even before Riddel became the owner of the property,(See Penal Laws) but I won’t spoil a good story for it is a fact, that such clauses were written (by Law) into many deeds to deny Catholics owning property, let history re-writers deny it,! Better still it seems the same Mr Riddel gave a sum of money to a hospital at Queen’s with a written in provision that no Catholic was to benefit from it, IF this be true poor Mr Riddel must be turning,.. no, rolling, in his grave for in 1932 the Catholic Bishop, Dr. Mageen bought the property and the “Sister’s Of Mercy” moved in after a religious service in September 15th 1932 Riddel’s two daughters lived in the house up to that point. In 1934 a Chapel was blessed and opened at” Beechmount House” and patients were moved from the overcrowded Mater Hospital to the House which was by now called “Our Lady’s Hospital.”(Beechmount Hospice), eventually having four large and twelve small wards catering for about 140 elderly patients. The wards were designed by Frank McArdle an uncle of Fr. Eugene McArdle, a marine engineer in Queens Island who was driven out in the sectarian pogrom of 1920..Around this time St Kevin's school had been considered to be build on part of the land, at the Brittons Parade end, but plans were changed to where the school sits today.The original St. John's Church was obviously intended to have been built close to St John's on the Springfield Road but a horrific sectarian shooting , the first major one in Belfast in 1920 troubles foiled this idea, so the church was later built on the Falls Road.
Recently an Irish Speaking school has opened up on the grounds poor oul Riddel must be doing Head Stands in his grave.To add insult to injury to the poor wee bigot... the biggest Catholic gathering in the history of Belfast took place on the 11 acre “Fields” of ‘Beechmount House” on a Sunday,, I believe 13th June 1954, 100,000 Catholics people assembled to join in the “Rosary Crusade in all people came from 27 different parishes and during the service,Father Patrick Peyton, announced that 162,544 people had signed the pledge to recite the Rosary daily. One Hundred buses came in from outside the city, 3,906 invalids were seated at front of the altar that looked down towards the main Falls Road. the crowd were railed in segments according to their Parish, wee Joe Graham was there with his daddy in the St Paul’s Contingent, the crowds were so big that many had to rally in nearby McRoiy Park where a loudspeaker system was linked up, some people were even rallied inside the Broadway Picture house where again some audio system was arranged.. a memorable and historic day,
Interestingly around the turn to the 1900's Riddles two daughters inherited the estate AND the only catholic employee was a Catholic lady who was cook at the house. times were changing .
Here is a wee quickie Quiz, a free balloon to the first who gives the answer. What is the origin of the name Oakman Street.?, in other words how did it get its name ?
Paul Thomas writes from Australia
G'day, I read with interest your story and addresses about Beechmount. It brought back many memories of my youth. I was born in Oakman Street in 1949. Beechmount was at the bottom of my street and Cavendish Street was at the top. There was a bit of a waste area called the "Blackie" from memory. My friends and I used to bend the railings to access this place and walk over the "spiky" pipe to the other side. This area was also used to light our bonfires. There was a power station between Oakman Street and Beechmount where we used to store our timber, tea chests, tyres etc for this bonfire. We had to climb over a very high brick wall to do this. A lot of this firewood was taken from silly young blokes passing through the Falls on their way to the Shankill or Sandy Row to feed their bonfires! It never got there.
I did not know many of the inhabitants of Beechmount, but I do remember the McAteers. They were a very quiet family, and from memory I think that Mrs Mc Ateer was from Malta. She had a son called Anthony who went to have his eyes tested and was hit by a car soon after because he had some sort of lotion in his eyes. I can't remember the whole story - this would be in the late fifties or early sixties. Thank God he did survive this.
Anyway, I left Belfast in 1969 to come to Australia. I watched a movie called "The Sundowners" and took a fancy to go to Australia. It was probably the best thing that I ever did. I am now happily married to one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. We have a few children and thousands of beautiful grandchildren! I used to play football and hurling for Saint Paul's. They were based in Hawthorn Street at that time.
Our coach was a bloke called Hugh Pollock and he used to drive an old Rover 75, then again, it may have been brand new!
Thank you for tickling my memory banks! Paul R. Thomas
jennifer smart writes
Apr 8, 2010 - 9:58PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
no81 joseph mccabe was my grandfater T. Gormley
Apr 12, 2010 - 8:47AM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
Vol. Martin Forsythe.IRA. was reared at No.121. Martin was shot by Special Branch in Royal Avenue.
Phil. Sheffield
May 24, 2010 - 7:18AM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
Is it true Gerry Fitt M.P lived at Beechmount Bungalows. On the list above I see a Gerald Fitt, a clerk, lived at number 59, was that he.? Paddy
May 24, 2010 - 8:54AM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
Yes that was Gerry Fitt's Bungalow, when he left Tommy and Doris Robinson got his bungalow, many will remember them as great neighbours. There was a humourous story that Tommy one day got a 'sure tip' on the horses but he hadn't any money to back it so he had a brainwave.
He walked round to Hughie Rice's pawnshop opposite the Barracks, took off his shoes and pawned them, walked in his sock soles over to the Bookies Shop in the entry behind Beagon's Bar and put the money he got for his shoes on the hot 'Tip'.
He stood back to await the result and to pick up his winnings , redeem his shoes and rush home to Doris with his prize.... the horse lost!!!!
Poor Tommy had to walk all the way home in his socks .
Needless to say the slaggers gave him more 'Tips' like, "watch you don't walk on any broken glass on yer way home Tommy" Patricia Osborne (nee Bradley)
May 24, 2010 - 9:37AM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
I went to St. John's Primary School in Colinward Street with Joan Finlay from 118 Beechmount Bungalows.
Sadly I believe Joan is no longer with us. I know Joan had a brother Brian and I think 2 sisters Geraldine and Anne. Ann Graham (Nee Mullan)
May 24, 2010 - 7:16PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
Hello Patricia, it was so nice to see some one remember Joan Finlay who sadly passed away some years ago such a lovely girl she was.
I was reared two doors from the family, at 120 Beechmount Bungalows.
Yes you're right she did have a brother Brian and two sisters Geraldine and Anne.
I have the fondest memories too of their mother and father , they were the salt of the earth, great neighbours, kind , gentle souls.
I didn't go to St John's School though, I went to St Catherine's. Dan Corbett
Jun 2, 2010 - 5:23PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
I remember the Finlay family well and Jimmy Lismore who later lived next door to them. I also remember a terrible fire back in the 60's in one of the Bungalows , I think the family was called McAuley, but no one was hurt thankfully liah morgan
Jun 4, 2010 - 12:11AM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
Originally Posted by Dan Corbett
I remember the Finlay family well and Jimmy Lismore who later lived next door to them. I also remember a terrible fire back in the 60's in one of the Bungalows , I think the family was called McAuley, but no one was hurt thankfully
i lived in the same lane as joan finlay, they were a lovely family, i have some lovely memories of the bugalows, the neighbours were always looking after each other, i went to st marys school in beechmount ave, love this forum geordie mcwilliams
Jun 4, 2010 - 10:21PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
the bungalow that was burned down was no 33 we lived in 32 it happened in 1956 i dont remember the fire cause i was only 2 weeks old THERESA
Jun 7, 2010 - 6:47PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
i remember the other bungalow number 148 opposite the brae when that went up in flames 1965 66 i think Murph Man
Jun 10, 2010 - 8:25PM
QuoteReply Re: Beechmount Bungalows Residents 1956
I hope you weren't playin with matches again Theresa
All old Maps , Photographs and Film, etc, pertaining to the history and developement of Beechmount are located in RUSHLIGHT MAGAZINE BELFAST HISTORY, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO ARCHIVES
78 ANDERSONSTOWN PARK BELFAST BT11 8FH
TEL 028 90626631