| Braniel | |
| Irish: an Braineal | |
| The Braniel | |
| Population | 5,000 (2011 Census) |
|---|---|
| County | County Down |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Belfast |
| Postcode district | BT5 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | East Belfast |
| NI Assembly | East Belfast |
| Website | [1] |
| List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • Down | |
Braniel, (Better known as The Braniel, from the Irish: an Braineal) is a large housing estate in East Belfast, Northern Ireland. Two small estates, Roddens and Glenview are located in the area, and are often referred to the Braniel. It is a predominantly Protestant area, with the majority of residents being loyalist or unionist. The area is due to be refurbished, as near-by estates Belvoir (Beaver) and Newtownbreda have been refurbished.
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The Braniel is in East Belfast, Northern Ireland, however it is sometimes wrongly labelled South Belfast. The Entrance to the Braniel is via the Knock Road and the Ballygowan Road. Near-by estates include, Church Road (Rosewood, Rosemount, Gray Castle, Marlborough), Gilnahirk, Tullycarnet, Clarawood, Clonduff, Casaeldona and Cregagh. In 2001, a man was murdered on Ravenswood Park, at the end entering the Braniel Square.[1] In 2008, a man was stabbed on Whincroft Road, one of the main roads into Braniel Square. A 28 year old man was then arrested and given bail following the event.[2][3][4][5]
Roddens Park is in serious need of refurbishment as the park has deteriorated over the years and has not been updated or fixed.
On 7 October 2011, it was announced The Griffin would close. On 17 October 2011, it was announced the store had been sold. Phil Griffin will take a backseat to the management of the shop. The store has yet to close as of January 2012 however it is expected to close sometime within the next year.
On New Years Eve 2011, It was confirmed the Rose Garden Chinese would close in March 2012.
On April 11 2009 Braniel Primary school was set of fire by arsonists. The fire started in a bin area at the side of the school and spread to the roof of the school. It was extinguished and only the bin area and fencing as well as the roof were damaged. The School assembly hall was also slightly damaged inside. The fire cost around £10,000 in damages.[19][20][21][22]
On 7 January 2011, a flat in the estate went on fire, a baby inside and four other people were saved.[23][24][25][26]
In 2009, the Braniel Dreamscheme painted a new mural over an old graffitied wall near the Braniel Park, on the back of the Braniel row of shops.[27] The Dreamscheme is still an ongoing activity in the estate.