IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Drumbeg Road, BELFAST, BT17 9LE

Just up the road from Gardners Loan Ends.

Gate Lodge on the Drumbeg Road

The (C of I) Parish Church of Drumbeg. The tower dates from 1798, while the spire of 1831 replaced one that was blown down. The rest of the church dates from 1870

See Image and Image Same church, same view point.

Draped urns are a common feature of Victorian burials. This is a good (and weathered) example. They are thought to be a symbolic continuation of the practice of using an urn (or similar object) to hold the ashes of the cremated dead. Some speculate that the cloth is guarding the ashes while others think that it signifies the separation between life and death.

See Image This is the weathervane.

Now regarded as a Christian symbol, there is a school of thought that it originated in pre-Christian times. It is a common feature of Victorian graveyards. There are several in St Patrick’s – this is probably the biggest.

The former Drumbeg church hall, 162 Ballyskeagh Road, now offered for sale. The agents’ description includes “Rarely does an opportunity arise such as this to acquire such a unique building with planning permission to convert into a 'Grand Design' family home. Set on a circa 0.3 acres and currently extended to approximately 2,600 sqft the hall has full planning permsission [sic] for the conversion (change of use) to a residential dwelling. The hall has been used for a variety of purposes, such as personal fitness, charity functions and community events. The renowned 'Coogan and Co Architects' have secured planning to convert the Hall into a stunning 4 bedroom detached home The hall also has planning approval for refurbishing and extending to a larger hall, which will suit a commercial project such as offices, coffee shop etc”. The following planning permissions apply (9 November 2017) “LA05/2017/0080/F Proposed conversion of existing church hall (change of use) to dwelling including partial demolition, refurbishment and extension with associated car parking and landscaping 162 Ballyskeagh Road Drumbeg” and (20 October 2017) “LA05/2016/1187/F Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension of 162 Ballyskeagh Road with associated car parking and landscaping (Additional information) 162 Ballyskeagh Road Drumbeg”. Continue to Image I have no connection with the property or the sale. I cannot enter into correspondence.

A typical scene in the Lagan valley – trees and fields south east of the Drum Bridge viewed, across the Lagan, from the towpath.

Detail of the spire, rebuilt in 1833, seen on Image The headstones of the churchyard are neatly covering a rather vulgar fire escape.