Former resident remembers a 'real sense of community' ahead of the demolition of the last of Larne's iconic tower blocks
As Larne prepares to say farewell to the last of the Riverdale tower blocks a former resident has been reflecting on life in the area.
Demolition is scheduled to start later this month on the 16-storey Latharna House, which has long been part of the town’s skyline.
Constructed in 1970 by FB McKee, it stood alongside Gardenmore House and Shane House, which have already been removed.
It was built using a Bison concrete large panel system and consisted of 90 flats. The last resident was rehomed in 2023 but in its heyday Latharna House was part of a thriving community.
Former resident, Margaret Bell, remembers: “I lived in 2A Latharna House and in 9F Shane’s House before that. I had great neighbours and felt really safe there. The security did a great job. There are so many stories from the flats.
"I have some great memories of living there. I had a friend used to come round and just sit and watch the comings and goings of everyone out my kitchen window all evening. There was so much life about the place. I’m still in touch with friends I made there.
“Everyone knew everyone in Latharna. If someone was heading out and you needed something picked up from the chemist, you could just ask them to pick it up for you and they did.
“My mother and father lived in the flats and both were buried from there. Generations of families grew up together. There was real sense of community in that whole area especially when the three blocks were there.
“In the flats you only had a tiny balcony so if you wanted to grow anything you needed a window box. I have two gardens in my house now which I love. I love my flowers round me.”
The building was a vital asset in the Housing Executive’s property portfolio.
Roy McClean, NIHE assistant area manager, Mid and east Antrim, said: “It is certainly the end of an era with the demolition of Latharna House but it is also exciting to see thriving communities emerging elsewhere in the town.
“I worked closely with many tenants who lived there and they were very happy. It’s great to see Margaret settled in her new home now, enjoying her beautiful gardens and settling into a new community.”