Views offered on origin of historic gate post in Newtownabbey

The Newtownababey Times reported the decorated pillar was uncovered in the garden of a property after land was cleared, sparking interest locally. For more on this story, read here

The homes in Ypres Park were constructed in the early 1920s for servicemen returing from World War One.

Nigel Henderson, war researcher, History Hub Ulster, contacted this newspaper with an explanation as to where he believes the post is from.

Mr Henderson said: “In the aftermath of the Great War, 1,252 cottages were built in Northern Ireland for ex-servicemen under the terms of the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act of 1919. These cottages were administered by the Irish Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Land Trust (ISSLT).

“A total of 111 cottages were built in the Newtownabbey/Glengormley area between 1922 and 1925 - one at Ballyduff, four at Whitewell, forty at Glengormley and sixty-six at two sites in Whiteabbey.

“The cottages at Ypres Park were built on a 9.6 acre parcel of land purchased for £1,600 (approximately £98,240 in current terms) from James McCann of ‘Meadowvale’, Alliance Avenue, Belfast.

“An historic map from the period shows, the colony was located on the northern side of the railway tracks and abutted the Fernagh House estate. The construction of the cottages was completed by March 1925 and the initial rent was ten shillings per week, which would equate to £30 per week in current terms.

“The OSNI Historical Fourth Edition map shows a laneway which later became Abbeyville Street.

“An ISSLT photograph from the mid 1920s shows 33/35 Ypres Park and the gates into the Fernagh House estate.

“I think it is most likely that the recently uncovered gate post is from the remnants of the gates at the entrance to Fernagh House.”

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