IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Belfast Road, BANGOR, BT20 3PX

Drain cover on the Belfast Road, Bangor. Marked "John McNeill, Belfast Ltd.", I can find no reference to this name or company. Further information welcomed.

Advertising hoarding on the corner of Croft Street and the Belfast Road in Bangor. It provides a timely reminder on the dangers of fireworks. A point of interest - the law regarding the legislation of fireworks in Northern Ireland differs greatly to the rest of the United Kingdom. Fireworks can only be sold by retailers registered by the Northern Ireland Office under the Explosives Act 1875; members of the public must apply for a licence and pay to hold even the smallest fireworks display, even in a private garden. See http://www.nio.gov.uk/the_law_on_fireworks.pdf for further information. The 5th of November is not widely celebrated either, most fireworks being let off on (or close to) Halloween Night. The law in the Republic of Ireland prohibits the sale of fireworks to anyone other than professional display operators. As a result of these strict laws the run up to Halloween in Ireland is relatively quiet, although a few individuals continue to flout the law (many purchasing fireworks illegally).

Stephen Agnew, Green Party, at the Belfast Road / Brunswick Road, Bangor.

"Bangor says No! To Irish Sea Border!" On a gable wall at the junction of the Belfast Road/Brunswick Road/Newtownards Road/Abbey Street junction. This graffiti relates to opposition to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in Unionist areas of Northern Ireland which many view as a betrayal. For similar related images see http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=128549696

Drain cover on the Belfast Road, Bangor. Marked "Clyde Kirkwood, Belfast". Possibly manufactured by a Clyde Kirkwood who lived at 5 Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast Image in the late 19th Century or the Clyde Kirkwood (possibly the same firm) based at 101 Corporation Street, Belfast, Image in the late 19th / early 20th Century.

This is the view, southeast, across the Boyne Bridge on the Brunswick Road. The railway Image is below. Hard to imagine now but the Belfast and County Down railway had an extensive yard on the Belfast side. It included sidings, an engine shed and a sand drier of which this chimney was part. Dry sand was essential in preventing wheel slip. The old engine shed was (if my memory is correct) subsequently occupied by a business, making dog food, which later moved to Castlewellan. Continue to Image (October 2013).

New apartments under construction in the former Belfast and County Down Railway yard Image and Image The following planning permission (27 March 2012) applies “ W/2011/0270/O Proposed demolition of existing commercial & domestic buildings & proposed residential development of apartments with associated car parking site adjoining & including no. 16 Belfast Road Bangor”.

The old chimney by the railway line in Bangor as viewed from the Brunswick Road (see Image from 2011 with further information). The adjoining sheds Image have all been removed and this chimney is the last remaining relic. It has been reported locally that the chimney will also be demolished by the end of March 2021.

See Image The old railway yard (foreground) was in business use until recently. It's now disused and closed by means of a padlocked gate. This view, of the former engine shed, was taken through the fence on the Belfast Road side. See also Image

Drain cover on the Belfast Road, Bangor. It is marked "Robert Kirk, Exchange Street, Belfast". See Image for an image of how Exchange Street looks today.