Dunmurry
Encyclopedia
Dunmurry is an urban
townland
, in County Antrim
, Northern Ireland
. Located between Belfast
and Lisburn
, it was once a rural village, but is now within the Greater Belfast
conurbation
. Dunmurry is also an electoral ward of Lisburn Council
.
In 1817, work began on a new road from Belfast to Dublin through Finaghy
and Dunmurry. This replaced the old turnpike road through Lambeg, which was linked to the village by what is now known as Upper Dunmurry Lane.
Throughout the 19th century, Dunmurry became known as one of the many 'linen villages' that were spread across Ulster
as many of the local factories and mills were promoted by local entrepreneurs. It remained very much a village until the late 1920s, when developers became keen to seize the greenfield
sites for overspill housing and for industry - a phenomenon which became particularly evident after World War II
. The largest expansion of the village in this era came with the advent of the Housing Trust, who, in response to a 1951 order for 1500 units of social housing to be built between Belfast and Lisburn, purchased a large amount of land at Suffolk and former demesne
land at Seymour Hill and Conway. One third of these housing units were reserved for residents of Belfast.
In 2008, it was recorded in statute that the Dunmurry ward would transfer in its entirety from Lagan Valley
to Belfast West
. Furthermore, it was decided that the section of the Derryaghy wards which lay to the north of the Derryaghy and Lagmore townland boundary would also transfer to Belfast West.
The Member of Parliament for the constituency in which most of Dunmurry lies is Paul Maskey
, Sinn Féin
MP for Belfast West.
which, although canalised, still retains the atmosphere of a quiet rural waterway. All around Dunmurry's housing estates are open landscapes which include the golf course, the Antrim
Hills, Moss Side and the Lagan Valley. There are also extensive playing fields in and around Dunmurry.
Dunmurry has its own golf club
, originally located in Upper Dunmurry Lane. The course was designed and laid by G.S. Dunn of Newcastle, County Down
, in 1805. The course was extended to 14 holes in 1973 and then to 18 holes in 1977. After road improvements were carried out in the area, the club moved to a new course in Dunmurry Lane, approximately 1 mile away from the previous course. The original course is now a 9-hole course and is home to the Colin Valley Golf Club.
Dunmurry is also the home of Dunmurry Cricket Club (http://www.dunmurrycricketclub.com ) who play in the Northern Cricket Union.Dunmurry C.C was formed in the 1940s and has had varied success in the N.C.U.It's most important achievement was the winning of three Junior Cup's which is represented in the club badge by three star's and the arch in the badge represent,s one of the many bridges in dunmurry.
Dunmurry is home to Dunmurry High School (established in 1968 to teach the children's age range - 11 to 16), Rathmore Grammar School (consisting of over 1000 pupils and has topped the league tables several times for Best A Level Results, the Belfast Bible College, one of five Queen's University
constituent colleges recognised to teach undergraduate and postgraduate (certificate, diploma and part-time) courses in Theology
. It does not belong to any single denomination but is a community drawn from 20 different denominations and over 30 different countries. There are currently about 120 full-time students, one third of whom are following degree pathways.
Dunmurry was the location of the De Lorean
factory where the De Lorean DMC-12
was manufactured from 1981 until 1982. About 8,500 DMC-12s were made before production ended in 1982, and as of 2006, 6,500 are estimated to still exist. It was famously featured in the Back to the Future
movie trilogy.
opened on 12 August 1839. The local train service offers transport to Belfast, Lisburn, Portadown
and Bangor
. Dunmurry village is also regularly serviced by the Metro
and Ulsterbus
services.
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
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...
, in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, 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...
. Located between 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 Lisburn
Lisburn
DemographicsLisburn Urban Area is within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and is classified as a Large Town by the . On census day there were 71,465 people living in Lisburn...
, it was once a rural village, but is now within the Greater Belfast
Greater Belfast
Greater Belfast is an area surrounding and including Belfast in Northern Ireland.It includes Belfast and parts of the North Down, Lisburn, Castlereagh and Newtownabbey district council areas. Greater Belfast is the largest urban area in Northern Ireland, and second largest in Ireland...
conurbation
Conurbation
A conurbation is a region comprising a number of cities, large towns, and other urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area...
. Dunmurry is also an electoral ward of Lisburn Council
Lisburn City Council
Lisburn City Council is a district council covering an area partly in County Antrim and partly in County Down in Northern Ireland. The council is the second largest in the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Council headquarters are in the city of Lisburn, upon which was conferred city status in May 2002 as...
.
History
Until the end of the 18th century, Dunmurry was largely an agricultural area dominated by wealthy landowners.In 1817, work began on a new road from Belfast to Dublin through Finaghy
Finaghy
Finaghy is an electoral ward in the Balmoral district of Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland. It is based on the townland of Ballyfinaghy...
and Dunmurry. This replaced the old turnpike road through Lambeg, which was linked to the village by what is now known as Upper Dunmurry Lane.
Throughout the 19th century, Dunmurry became known as one of the many 'linen villages' that were spread across Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
as many of the local factories and mills were promoted by local entrepreneurs. It remained very much a village until the late 1920s, when developers became keen to seize the greenfield
Greenfield land
Greenfield land is a term used to describe undeveloped land in a city or rural area either used for agriculture, landscape design, or left to naturally evolve...
sites for overspill housing and for industry - a phenomenon which became particularly evident after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The largest expansion of the village in this era came with the advent of the Housing Trust, who, in response to a 1951 order for 1500 units of social housing to be built between Belfast and Lisburn, purchased a large amount of land at Suffolk and former demesne
Demesne
In the feudal system the demesne was all the land, not necessarily all contiguous to the manor house, which was retained by a lord of the manor for his own use and support, under his own management, as distinguished from land sub-enfeoffed by him to others as sub-tenants...
land at Seymour Hill and Conway. One third of these housing units were reserved for residents of Belfast.
Politics
Politically, Dunmurry falls into the Dunmurry Cross district electoral area of Lisburn City Council. This is composed of the wards of Dunmurry, Seymour Hill, Derryaghy, Collin Glen, Kilwee, Poleglass and Twinbrook.In 2008, it was recorded in statute that the Dunmurry ward would transfer in its entirety from Lagan Valley
Lagan Valley (UK Parliament constituency)
Lagan Valley is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.- Boundaries :The seat was created in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from parts of South Antrim and North Down. In their original...
to Belfast West
Belfast West (UK Parliament constituency)
Belfast West is a parliamentary constituency in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries:The seat was restored in 1922 when as part of the establishment of the devolved Stormont Parliament for Northern Ireland, the number of MPs in the Westminster Parliament was drastically cut...
. Furthermore, it was decided that the section of the Derryaghy wards which lay to the north of the Derryaghy and Lagmore townland boundary would also transfer to Belfast West.
Paul Maskey
Paul John Maskey is an Irish republican politician in Northern Ireland who is a member of Sinn Féin. He has been a Sinn Féin member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast West since 2007, and was elected in June 2011 as Member of Parliament for the Westminster constituency of Belfast West,...
, Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
MP for Belfast West.
Features
Backed by the Colin Mountain, with its Colin Glen, Dunmurry is flanked by the River LaganRiver Lagan
The River Lagan is a major river in Northern Ireland which runs 40 miles from the Slieve Croob mountain in County Down to Belfast where it enters Belfast Lough, an inlet of the Irish Sea. The River Lagan forms much of the border between County Antrim and County Down. It rises as a tiny fast...
which, although canalised, still retains the atmosphere of a quiet rural waterway. All around Dunmurry's housing estates are open landscapes which include the golf course, the Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
Hills, Moss Side and the Lagan Valley. There are also extensive playing fields in and around Dunmurry.
Dunmurry has its own golf club
Dunmurry Golf Club
Dunmurry Golf Club is located in Dunmurry Lane, south-west of Belfast. It consists of an 18-hole course with a par of 70.Founded in 1905, the club was originally located in Upper Dunmurry Lane. The original 9-hole course was designed and laid by G.S. Dunn of Newcastle, County Down, in 1905. The...
, originally located in Upper Dunmurry Lane. The course was designed and laid by G.S. Dunn of Newcastle, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, in 1805. The course was extended to 14 holes in 1973 and then to 18 holes in 1977. After road improvements were carried out in the area, the club moved to a new course in Dunmurry Lane, approximately 1 mile away from the previous course. The original course is now a 9-hole course and is home to the Colin Valley Golf Club.
Dunmurry is also the home of Dunmurry Cricket Club (http://www.dunmurrycricketclub.com ) who play in the Northern Cricket Union.Dunmurry C.C was formed in the 1940s and has had varied success in the N.C.U.It's most important achievement was the winning of three Junior Cup's which is represented in the club badge by three star's and the arch in the badge represent,s one of the many bridges in dunmurry.
Dunmurry is home to Dunmurry High School (established in 1968 to teach the children's age range - 11 to 16), Rathmore Grammar School (consisting of over 1000 pupils and has topped the league tables several times for Best A Level Results, the Belfast Bible College, one of five Queen's University
Queen's University of Belfast
Queen's University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university's official title, per its charter, is the Queen's University of Belfast. It is often referred to simply as Queen's, or by the abbreviation QUB...
constituent colleges recognised to teach undergraduate and postgraduate (certificate, diploma and part-time) courses in Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. It does not belong to any single denomination but is a community drawn from 20 different denominations and over 30 different countries. There are currently about 120 full-time students, one third of whom are following degree pathways.
Dunmurry was the location of the De Lorean
De Lorean Motor Company
The original DeLorean Motor Company was a short-lived automobile manufacturer formed by automobile industry executive John DeLorean in 1975. It is remembered for the one model it produced — the distinctive stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 sports car featuring gull-wing doors — and for its brief and...
factory where the De Lorean DMC-12
De Lorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car originally manufactured in Dunmurry, a suburb west of Belfast, Northern Ireland by John DeLorean's DeLorean Motor Company for the American market in 1981-82. Most commonly known as the DeLorean, it was the only model produced by the company which would go into...
was manufactured from 1981 until 1982. About 8,500 DMC-12s were made before production ended in 1982, and as of 2006, 6,500 are estimated to still exist. It was famously featured in the Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
movie trilogy.
Transport
Dunmurry railway stationDunmurry railway station
Dunmurry railway station is located in the townland of Dunmurry in south Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The station opened on 12 August 1839. It lies between the centres of Belfast and Lisburn. Access between platform one and two is provided by a passage beneath the railway line...
opened on 12 August 1839. The local train service offers transport to Belfast, Lisburn, Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
and Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
. Dunmurry village is also regularly serviced by the Metro
Metro (Belfast)
Metro is the trading name for bus company Citybus in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a subsidiary of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, within the common management structure of Translink, along with Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways....
and Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink , which also includes Northern Ireland Railways, Metro Belfast and Flexibus.-Services:Ulsterbus is responsible for most of the province-wide bus...
services.