Sandy Row is probably amongst the top five most famous streets in Belfast. In days gone by it was known as Carr's Row. Sandy Row is one of the oldest residential areas of Belfast. It was a hive of industry commerce as well as being a place to live. It was a bustling shopping district. At the start of the 20th century there were said to be 127 shops based on the street. It was also famous for its pubs. Most like the Klondyke bar are long gone. Its growth in population was in large part due to the expansion of the linen industry in Rowland Street. The name Sandy Row derived from the sandbank which abutted the road that followed the high-water mark resulting from the flow off the tidal waters of the Lagan River estuary. For over two thousand years, the road along the sandbank was the principal thoroughfare leading south from Carrickfergus. In 1941 Blythe street was Row was bombed by German bombers during the Belfast Blitz. Thirteen civilians were killed. During the 1900s Sandy Row was a stronghold of loyalism. It saw some of the worst acts of violence of the Troubles. Many folks moved away to escape.
Over the years when the linen factories died, life on Sandy Row was hit hard. Job loss, blighted the area. Many folks moved away to the new outer estates like Belvoir, where houses had their own front and back gardens and trees grew aplenty. Today Sandy Row has been revitalized by new housing but many would admit that despite hard work from many on the ground, Sandy Row is only a pale reflection of its former self.
10 сен 2024
