What does the name Shankill mean?

Although the name 'Shankill' means 'old church' (from the Irish 'séan chill'), the name did not come into common use until the 17th century.

Why is Shankill called Shankill?

The name “Shankill” originates from the Irish phrase Seanchill, meaning “old church,” reflecting the site's deep historical roots. Tradition suggests that the original church was constructed in 1306, making this location a cornerstone of Belfast's historical landscape.

What is the history of Shankill?

Early history

Shankill features a number of antiquities, including ráths and cromlechs. Around 1230, there were forests that were cleared under the orders of the then-owner of Shankill, Archbishop Luke. Courts for serious crimes in the style of assizes were conducted at Shankill during this period.

Is Shankill Catholic or Protestant?

Is Shankill Road Protestant or Catholic? This area is predominantly Protestant.

Which area of Belfast is most Protestant?

Although east Belfast as a whole is largely Protestant in nature the republican enclave of the Short Strand forms a number of interface areas with neighbouring loyalist districts on the Albertbridge Road and the Newtownards Road.

What Is The History Of The Shankill Road? - Discovering Ireland Now

Where to avoid in Belfast as a Catholic?

The main areas to avoid in Belfast are the areas around the Shankill and Falls roads at night (West Belfast), areas in North Belfast like Tiger's Bay, New Lodge and Ardoyne (at night) and the likes of Short Strand in East Belfast (again, at night).

What is the most Catholic town in Ireland?

Buncrana 'is the most Catholic town' BUNCRANA has been named the most Catholic town in the Republic. BUNCRANA has been named the most Catholic town in the Republic. Figures released by the Republic's Central Statistics Office showed that 94.3% of people in Buncrana were Catholic.

Is Shankill a nice place to live?

Shankill is a hidden gem in South County Dublin. The neighbourhood is known for its charming village to feel with a substantial cache of Tidy Town awards. Shankill homes are popular for their family-orientated way of life, populated primarily by residential housing and within close proximity to the beach.

Is Belfast still segregated?

In Belfast, the 1970s were a time of rising residential segregation. It was estimated in 2004 that 92.5% of public housing in Northern Ireland was divided along religious lines, with the figure rising to 98% in Belfast. Self-segregation is a continuing process, despite the Northern Ireland peace process.

Is Belfast becoming more Catholic?

The last ten years have seen a shift in the religious demography of Belfast. The Catholic share of the population rose from 47% in 2001 to 49% in 2011, the Protestant fell from 49% to 42%, and the those who declared no religion (the nones) from 3% to 7%.

What is the oldest pub in Belfast history?

White's Tavern

Located in Winecellar Entry, steeped in history, culture and established in 1630. White's Tavern welcomes you to the oldest tavern in Belfast. The city's first-ever tavern license was granted to the very building where we stand, making us the premier bar and pub of Belfast.

Why is it called Black Mountain Belfast?

Its name is probably derived from the adjoining mountain called Divis (/ˈdɪvɪs/; from Irish Dubhais 'black ridge'), and they may have been seen as one mountain in the past. Black Mountain transmitting station is on the summit. Black Mountain is composed of basalt with limestone underneath, as is Cavehill further north.

What happened in 1971 in Belfast?

Ballymurphy massacre. The Ballymurphy massacre was a series of incidents between 9 and 11 August 1971, in which the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the British Army killed eleven civilians in Ballymurphy, Belfast, Northern Ireland, as part of Operation Demetrius (internment without trial).

What is the most Catholic street in Belfast?

The Falls Road itself was originally a country lane leading from the city centre but a largely Catholic population—refugees from a rural poverty that been intensified by Belfast's mechanisation of what had been a cottage textile industry and, in the 1840s, by famine—was drawn to the area by the prospects for female and ...

What is the oldest graveyard in Belfast?

Shankill Graveyard is one of the oldest cemeteries in Belfast. It has been used for burials for more than 1,000 years and, although they no longer take place in the graveyard, it remains an important historical site. One of the oldest legible stones belongs to George McAuley who died in 1685.

What did Belfast used to be called?

Belfast's name is the anglicised version of the old Irish Beal Feirste meaning "mouth of the Farset". Belfast was part of the kingdom of Dál Riata from around 500 AD to the late 700s. The Ford of Belfast existed as early as 665 AD, when a battle was recorded as being fought at the site.

Why don't Catholics and Protestants get along in Northern Ireland?

Catholics by and large identified as Irish and sought the incorporation of Northern Ireland into the Irish state. The great bulk of Protestants saw themselves as British and feared that they would lose their culture and privilege if Northern Ireland were subsumed by the republic.

What percent of Belfast is white?

Previously, the city was exclusively white (categorised as a simplified ethnic group within Northern Ireland) at 98% white in 2001, however by 2021, this had dropped down to 93%.

Do peace walls still exist in Northern Ireland?

There are more than 20 miles of peace walls in Northern Ireland combined, the most famous one being on the Shankill Road and Falls Road interface stretches over 800 metres long, or just under 1km.

Is Belfast a nice city to live in?

Belfast stands as an inviting capital city that's easy to get around and affordable, making it an ideal location for students to study. The city flourishes as a vibrant hub for great cuisine, culture, arts and shopping, and our university holds its place at the centre of Belfast's social and cultural life.

How many people live on the Shankill?

The Greater Shankill as a whole has a population of around 22,000.

Is Shankill Road worth visiting?

The murals are worth seeing. They mentioned later tours were detoured because of a parade, so we decided to get off and attend - it didn't disappoint. We certainly didn't feel unwelcome or unsafe, was a great atmosphere, surrounded by friendly, down to earth people.

What is the least Catholic county in Ireland?

Religion by county

Among stated responses, the administrative county of Offaly had the highest percentage of Catholics in 2016 with 88.6 per cent while Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown had the lowest at 69.8 per cent.

What is the most Irish city in England?

Liverpool is widely known for having the strongest Irish heritage of any UK city - perhaps alongside Glasgow. This originates from the city's port being close to Ireland, which made it easy to reach for all those escaping the Great Famine between 1845 and 1849. More than 20% of Liverpool's population was Irish by 1851.

What is the only Protestant village in Ireland?

Drum, County Monaghan. Drum (Irish: An Droim, meaning 'the ridge') is a village and townland in the west of County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. It is one of the only Protestant-majority settlements in the Republic of Ireland. Road through Drum.