IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Lisleen Road East, BELFAST, BT5 7TQ

According to National Archive records, Gilnahirk radio station began as part of the “Radio Security Service” in January 1942 after a temporary station at Ballygomartin closed down in November 1940. It was built by the Post Office and was designed to intercept illicit wireless transmissions emanating from within the UK and locate their position by direction finding. It began with 12 operating positions each of which would have had two HRO National radio receivers (the best available at that time). It was not long before they found that there was not much happening in the UK and more interesting traffic was coming in from continental Europe. Gilnahirk and other RSS stations soon began to collect wireless intelligence and feed it to Bletchley Park where it could be deciphered. It was initially under the control of MI5 then later MI6, always operating under the greatest secrecy. In 1947 its ownership passed over to GCHQ where it continued its secret work until it officially closed in 1978. During WW2, direction finding involved staff operating in metal tanks located underground. These were normally 100m or more from the buildings and it’s possible that they may still be present around the site somewhere. Research into this and other RSS stations continues and further information may be added later. Stan Ames

Details will be supplied by Stan Ames.

At disused Radio Station.

Looking east