Glengormley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Glengormley Gleann gorm liath |
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| Location | ||
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Ulster | |
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| County: | County Antrim | |
| District: | Newtownabbey Borough | |
| UK Parliament: | East Antrim | |
| European Parliament: | Northern Ireland | |
| Dialling Code: | 028, +44 28 | |
| Post Town: | Newtownabbey | |
| Postal District(s): | BT36 | |
| Population (2001) | ||
Glengormley (from the Irish: Gleann gorm liath meaning "the blue grey glen") is a town located in the borough of Newtownabbey, bordering the north-western edge of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
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[edit] Location
The original settlement grew up in the mid 19th century around a junction of the roads linking Belfast with Antrim and Ballyclare.
Today Glengormley has become a large suburb and the urban area has expanded to the extent that it is now linked to north Belfast. It is a popular residential area with several further developments underway, including the one-square-mile Mayfield Garden Village. A major rebuild of Northcott Shopping Centre is expected in 2007.
Glengormley is approximately six miles from Belfast; the sixth milestone from the City Centre is located outside some local shops near the suburb's Sandyknowes Roundabout.
[edit] Geography
As the lowest pass through the Belfast hills from the northern prospect, Glengormley is also traversed by major communication arteries including the Belfast to Derry railway line (Mossley West Halt) and the M2 motorway. Despite being a glen, technically, Glengormley sits at 700 feet above sea level and is noted for a climate noticeably colder than the adjacent Lagan valley area. The cold and windy disposition may be explained by the 'tunnel' which runs from the North Antrim Coast to the edge of Glengomley on the Hightown Road. The tunnel may be evidenced from the Cavehill Country park entrance at Hightown Road, as one looks east to Slemish.
[edit] History
[edit] The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Glengormley, which includes a list of incidents in Glengormley during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
[edit] Leisure
Glengormley hosts a cinema and bowling complex, several restaurants, cafés and numerous take-aways and delivery eateries. The town has two bars in its centre — Tom's Bar and The Glen and a very large bar-restaurant — Thunderdome which has featured famous acts such as The Drifters. Other bars, such as the Bellevue Arms, Corrs Corner, Jolly Beggar, Hill Tavern and The Chimney Corner are in the vicinity of Glengormley.
Glengormley is within walking distance of the Cavehill Country Park and Bellevue Zoo. The expansive Valley park provides a safe cycling route to the North Shore coastal cycle path and onwards to Central Belfast.
[edit] Commercial
Glengormley hosts major commercial complexes in The Mallusk enterprise park, including Royal Mail and Marks and Spencer. At peak times, buses to and from Belfast City Centre pass through the centre of the town approximately every ten minutes, meaning that it is an ideal location for working in the City. With excellent road links and a fairly short distance to the City Centre, a daily commute by car is also easy.
[edit] Famous inhabitants
- Debbie McGee, wife and assistant of millionaire Paul Daniels (Magician), lived in Glengormley between 1962 and 1974.
- Actor Stephen Boyd (1931–1977) — starred in Ben-Hur (1959) and Fantastic Voyage (1966) and some fifty other films, born in Glengormley.
- Roy Mason — Irish painter who produced an acclaimed series of 'Troubles' paintings while a Glengormley resident.
- Writer Padraic Fiacc lived in Glengormley.
- Derek Mahon — Irish poet who lived in Glengormley. One of his best-known poems is entitled Glengormley.
