Glengormley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glengormley is a town located in the borough of Newtownabbey, bordering the north-western edge of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Taking its name from the Irish gleann gorm liath, meaning "the blue grey glen", the original settlement grew up in the mid 19th century around a junction of the roads linking Belfast with Antrim and Ballyclare.
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[edit] Location
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.
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/cafes and numerous take-away and delivery eateries. The town has two bars in its centre - Madaghan's (which has been closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen in late 2006) and The Glen. Other bars, such as the Bellevue Arms, Corrs Corner and The Chimney Corner could also be said to be within 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. It also has a small but popular G.A.A. team St. Endas (Naomh Éanna in Irish).
[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
- Actor Stephen Boyd (1931–1977) - starred in Ben-Hur (1959) and Fantastic Voyage (1966) and some 50 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.
- Darts Player Colin Elliott - Colin has successfully gained entry into the The 2007 PDC World Championship which begins on Monday December 18 2006, held at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex.
