Dundonald
Encyclopedia
Dundonald is a large settlement in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It lies east of Belfast
and is often deemed to be a suburb
of the city. It includes the large housing estate of Ballybeen
, and many new housing estates have emerged in the past ten years.
fort, or Dún
, Dún Dónaill, that stood in the town. One of the largest in Ireland, the man-made hill that the fort stood on is still in existence.
Although the mound is commonly referred to as 'the moat' this is, in fact, a corruption of the word 'motte' and refers to the fact that this defensive structure was built in the style of a motte and bailey. St. Elizabeth's Church is located beside the moat, with the Cleland Mausoleum in the adjacent graveyard.
Dundonald acquired rail links to Belfast and Newtownards
in 1850, Downpatrick
in 1859 and Newcastle
in 1869. The rail link with Belfast encouraged Dundonald to expand as a commuter
town, but in 1950 the railway line running through Dundonald was closed. Dundonald station was opened on 6 May 1850, but finally closed on 24 April 1950.
Until the 1960s, Dundonald was a small village. A number of property developments, most notably the housing estate Ballybeen, were then built and Dundonald's population rapidly grew.
On the day of the last census (29 April 2001)
, the combined population of these wards was 13,985. This is within the bounds of the medium-sized town (a population between 10,000 and 18,000).
of the same name. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish has long been divided into townland
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
. Over time, more rural townlands have been built upon and they have given their names to many roads and housing estates. The following is a list of townlands within Dundonald's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies
:
is located on the Belfast Road in the town. The sandstone building has been extensively restored and includes a brasserie
, gift shop and a 35 foot waterwheel, the largest in Ireland.
The Comber Greenway is a direct traffic free link into Belfast and it passes through Dundonald. It is enjoyed by thousands of cyclists and walkers on a daily basis. This area of tranquility is currently under threat by the proposed rapid transport link into Belfast.
In 1986, The Dundonald International Ice Bowl was opened in the town. This originally comprised an Olympic sized ice rink
and a 20 lane AMF
ten pin bowling alley. In later years, "Indianaland", a children's indoor adventure playground was added along with Laser Quest, a simulated combat arena using laser tag equipment. The bowling alley was upgraded to 30 lanes in the 1990s and an extensive miniature golf
course has recently been built. The site also contains a David Lloyd
fitness centre. In 2006, the area was designated as the Dundonald Leisure Park, as part of the Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015. In 2008, an Omniplex
cinema was built on the opposite side of the Old Dundonald Road, together with several leisure and restaurant units.
The Ulster Hospital
is located in Dundonald, known colloquially as "The Ulster".
(TT) motorcar races took place on a (closed) road circuit encompassing Newtownards
, Comber
and Dundonald in County Down, run in a clockwise direction. The pits were still visible up until the 1960s. A popular viewing point was the hairpin bend at the Central Bar in Dundonald. Industrialist and pioneer of the modern agricultural tractor, Harry Ferguson
, was instrumental in setting up the race, which was known as the Ards TT.
A number of local football teams play in the Down Area Winter Football League, "Dundonald F.C." "Moat Park Rangers" and "43RD Old Boys" are the three clubs that are well known in the town.
At the time, it was Northern Ireland’s premier sporting event, regularly attracting crowds in excess of a quarter of a million people. Although it was a speed event, the entries were handicapped in order to allow cars of very different sizes and capabilities to race against each other on supposedly even terms over 30 laps (35 laps from 1933) of the 13.7 mile circuit. On September 5, 1936, in wet conditions, local driver Jack Chambers lost control of his Riley and crashed into the crowd, killing eight spectators. This tragedy brought an end to nine years of racing over the Ards road circuit.
The town's ice rink, the Dundonald Ice Bowl is home to the Irish Ice Hockey League's Junior Belfast Giants
.
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It lies east of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and is often deemed to be a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of the city. It includes the large housing estate of Ballybeen
Ballybeen
Ballybeen , also known as Ballybeen Housing Estate, is the second largest housing estate in Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Ballybeen and Carrowreagh all inside the town of Dundonald on the outskirts of east Belfast — between the Newtownards Road and Comber Road. Started in 1963, and...
, and many new housing estates have emerged in the past ten years.
History
Dundonald refers to a 12th century NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
fort, or Dún
Dun
Dun is now used both as a generic term for a fort and also for a specific variety of Atlantic roundhouse...
, Dún Dónaill, that stood in the town. One of the largest in Ireland, the man-made hill that the fort stood on is still in existence.
Although the mound is commonly referred to as 'the moat' this is, in fact, a corruption of the word 'motte' and refers to the fact that this defensive structure was built in the style of a motte and bailey. St. Elizabeth's Church is located beside the moat, with the Cleland Mausoleum in the adjacent graveyard.
Dundonald acquired rail links to Belfast and Newtownards
Newtownards
Newtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
in 1850, Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
in 1859 and Newcastle
Newcastle, County Down
Newcastle is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,444 people recorded in the 2001 Census. The seaside resort lies on the Irish Sea coast at the base of Slieve Donard, one of the Mourne Mountains, and is known for its sandy beach and the Royal County Down Golf Club...
in 1869. The rail link with Belfast encouraged Dundonald to expand as a commuter
Commuting
Commuting is regular travel between one's place of residence and place of work or full time study. It sometimes refers to any regular or often repeated traveling between locations when not work related.- History :...
town, but in 1950 the railway line running through Dundonald was closed. Dundonald station was opened on 6 May 1850, but finally closed on 24 April 1950.
Until the 1960s, Dundonald was a small village. A number of property developments, most notably the housing estate Ballybeen, were then built and Dundonald's population rapidly grew.
Demography
For census purposes, Dundonald is not treated as a separate entity by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Instead, it is combined with a large part of east and southeast Belfast to form the "Castlereagh Urban Area". A fairly accurate population count can be found by combining the data of the electoral wards that make up Dundonald. These wards are Ballyhanwood 1, Carrowreagh, Dundonald, Enler, and Grahams Bridge. However, the wards also include part of the countryside surrounding Dundonald.On the day of the last census (29 April 2001)
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the combined population of these wards was 13,985. This is within the bounds of the medium-sized town (a population between 10,000 and 18,000).
Townlands
Dundonald sprang up within the small parishCivil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of the same name. Like the rest of Ireland, this parish has long been divided into townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. Over time, more rural townlands have been built upon and they have given their names to many roads and housing estates. The following is a list of townlands within Dundonald's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
:
- Ballybeen (likely from Baile Binne meaning "townland of the peak" or Baile Bín meaning "Bín's townland")
- Ballymiscaw (likely from Baile Lios na Scáth meaning "townland of the fort of shadows")
- Ballyoran (likely from Baile Fhuaráin meaning "townland of the spring")
- Ballyregan (likely from Baile Uí Riagáin meaning "Ó Riagáin's townland")
- Carrowreagh (likely from an Cheathrú Riabhach meaning "the speckled quarterland")
- Dunlady (likely from Dún Léide meaning "Léide's stronghold")
Places of interest
A 300 year old watermillWatermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
is located on the Belfast Road in the town. The sandstone building has been extensively restored and includes a brasserie
Brasserie
In France and the Francophone world, a brasserie is a type of French restaurant with a relaxed, upscale setting, which serves single dishes and other meals. The word 'brasserie' is also French for "brewery" and, by extension, "the brewing business"...
, gift shop and a 35 foot waterwheel, the largest in Ireland.
The Comber Greenway is a direct traffic free link into Belfast and it passes through Dundonald. It is enjoyed by thousands of cyclists and walkers on a daily basis. This area of tranquility is currently under threat by the proposed rapid transport link into Belfast.
In 1986, The Dundonald International Ice Bowl was opened in the town. This originally comprised an Olympic sized ice rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
and a 20 lane AMF
AMF Bowling Center
AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. is the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers, employing more than 10,000 people. The centers offer multi-lane Ten-pin bowling for all ages, support league play, and local events such as Dollar Mania and Late Night College Fest as well as Xtreme Bowling...
ten pin bowling alley. In later years, "Indianaland", a children's indoor adventure playground was added along with Laser Quest, a simulated combat arena using laser tag equipment. The bowling alley was upgraded to 30 lanes in the 1990s and an extensive miniature golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf,...
course has recently been built. The site also contains a David Lloyd
David Lloyd (tennis)
David Lloyd is a former professional English tennis player and businessman.He was born in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. He and his younger brother John Lloyd became two of the most successful British tennis players throughout the 1970s and 1980s. David captained the British Davis Cup team and became a...
fitness centre. In 2006, the area was designated as the Dundonald Leisure Park, as part of the Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015. In 2008, an Omniplex
Omniplex
Omniplex may refer to:* Omniplex, a Ward Anderson cinema in Ireland* The Omniplex Science Museum, a previous name of the Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City...
cinema was built on the opposite side of the Old Dundonald Road, together with several leisure and restaurant units.
The Ulster Hospital
Ulster Hospital
The Ulster Hospital is a hospital in Dundonald in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Ballyregan, beside the A20 road....
is located in Dundonald, known colloquially as "The Ulster".
Sport
From 1928 to 1936, the RAC Tourist TrophyRAC Tourist Trophy
The International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
(TT) motorcar races took place on a (closed) road circuit encompassing Newtownards
Newtownards
Newtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
, Comber
Comber
Comber is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 5 miles south of Newtownards, at the northern end of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 8,933 people in the 2001 Census. Comber is part of the Borough of Ards...
and Dundonald in County Down, run in a clockwise direction. The pits were still visible up until the 1960s. A popular viewing point was the hairpin bend at the Central Bar in Dundonald. Industrialist and pioneer of the modern agricultural tractor, Harry Ferguson
Harry Ferguson
Henry George "Harry" Ferguson was an Irish engineer and inventor who is noted for his role in the development of the modern agricultural tractor, for becoming the first Irishman to build and fly his own aeroplane, and for developing the first four-wheel drive Formula One car, the Ferguson P99...
, was instrumental in setting up the race, which was known as the Ards TT.
A number of local football teams play in the Down Area Winter Football League, "Dundonald F.C." "Moat Park Rangers" and "43RD Old Boys" are the three clubs that are well known in the town.
At the time, it was Northern Ireland’s premier sporting event, regularly attracting crowds in excess of a quarter of a million people. Although it was a speed event, the entries were handicapped in order to allow cars of very different sizes and capabilities to race against each other on supposedly even terms over 30 laps (35 laps from 1933) of the 13.7 mile circuit. On September 5, 1936, in wet conditions, local driver Jack Chambers lost control of his Riley and crashed into the crowd, killing eight spectators. This tragedy brought an end to nine years of racing over the Ards road circuit.
The town's ice rink, the Dundonald Ice Bowl is home to the Irish Ice Hockey League's Junior Belfast Giants
Junior Belfast Giants
The Junior Belfast Giants are ice hockey team that plays in the Irish Ice Hockey League. They play their games in the 1,500 seat Dundonald Ice Bowl in Dundonald, Northern Ireland...
.
People
- Vivian CampbellVivian CampbellVivian Patrick Campbell is a Northern Irish rock guitarist who is a member of Def Leppard and was, from May 2010 to November 2011, a member of Thin Lizzy. Prior to joining Def Leppard in April 1992, he had been a member of Whitesnake, Sweet Savage, Trinity, Riverdogs, and Shadow King...
, guitarist Def LeppardDef LeppardDef Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell... - Davy LarmourDavy LarmourDavid James "Davy" Larmour is a football player who plays as a forward for Larne F.C..He began his professional career with Liverpool, after trials with Crystal Palace and Rangers...
, CrusadersCrusaders F.C.Crusaders Football Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish association football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005...
footballer - Colin MurrayColin MurrayColin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
, BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ - PeterPeter Robinson (politician)Peter David Robinson is the current First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party...
and Iris RobinsonIris RobinsonIris Robinson is a former Northern Ireland Unionist politician. She is married to Peter Robinson, who is currently the First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly....
, politicians - Chris WalkerChris Walker (footballer)Chris Walker is a Northern Irish footballer.Walker played as a centre back for Glentoran from 1994 until January 2007. He previously played for First Liverpool. He is a Glentoran supporter, growing up close to the club's home, The Oval...
, GlentoranGlentoran F.C.Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
footballer - Gemma GarrettGemma GarrettGemma Dawn Garrett is a former holder of the titles Miss Great Britain and Miss Belfast. She is also the official face of the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone....
Model, Current Miss Great Britain and Miss Belfast - Anne GreggAnne GreggAnne Deirdre Gregg was a travel writer and TV presenter from Northern Ireland. She is perhaps best known for presenting the BBC's travel programme Holiday throughout the 1980s. She was one of the first people from Northern Ireland to become a national British television personality.-Early...
, BBC presenter and travel writer - Paul ReidPaul ReidPaul Reid may refer to:* Paul Reid , Australian football player* Paul Reid , English football player* Paul Reid , English football player...
, BBC Northern IrelandBBC Northern IrelandBBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
Continuity Director - Paddy WallacePaddy WallacePaddy Wallace is an Irish rugby union footballer from Belfast where he attended Rockport School and Campbell College. He plays for Ulster. He was a member of the Ireland U19 side that lifted the U19 World Cup in 1998...
, Rugby unionRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer - Micky ModelleMicky ModelleMicky Modelle is a Disc jockey and Record producer from Ireland, born in 1972.-Career:He came in to the media spotlight in 2006, when he had he had a top ten hit with Flemish singer Jessy, Dancing in the Dark was originally released by Jessy in 2004 in Belgium. However after meeting jessy, he...
, DJ - Michael MooreMichael Moore (UK politician)Michael Kevin Moore is a British Liberal Democrat politician, currently the Secretary of State for Scotland in the UK coalition government, and the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk....
, UK politician - Born in town. - Matthew Downey, Editor of Techwhirl
- Glenn FergusonGlenn FergusonGlenn 'Spike' Ferguson is a former Northern Irish footballer. He played for Ards and Glenavon before joining Linfield in January 1998 for an Irish League record transfer fee of £55,000...
LinfieldLinfield F.C.Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
footballer
External links
- St Elizabeth's Church
- Brooklands Primary School, Dundonald
- Dundonald History including BCDR
- Dundonald International Ice Bowl
- Dundonald Primary School
- BT16plus Magazine
- Dundonald Articles on YouTube
- The End Of The Line Motorcycle Club, Dundonald
- Google map, showing the Moat
- Dundonald Green Belt Association
- Located near Dundonald
- Serving Dundonald
- Ards TT 'on-board' lap of the circuit
- Dundonald Family and Community initiative
- Christ Church Presbyterian, Dundonald