Rathcoole (Newtownabbey) - Community History and Setting

Community History and Setting

In the 1940s and 1950s, a number of new large-scale housing schemes were planned for Northern Ireland including Craigavon and Rathcoole. These plans were informed by attempts by successive UK governments and the local parliament at Stormont to use large-scale social engineering to reduce underlying sectarian tensions in Northern Ireland. In common with other such areas, Rathcoole's design included self-contained facilities such as a cinema, youth centre, a shopping centre and schools. In spite of these planned facilities, it has been acknowledged that they were insufficient for a population that grew rapidly to over 10000. The cinema had been shut down and a taxi service had taken over the west wing of the building; since then, the building had been demolished and a new 'bar' built on its grounds; the taxi service has moved to the 2nd floor in the Diamond.

Other housing developments were built near: Rushpark, Rathfern and Bawnmore, all three constructed by the Northern Ireland Housing Trust, forerunner of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Other estates in the district included Merville Garden Village and Fernagh, which were developed privately by Ulster Garden Villages Limited.

Since 1 April 1958, Rathcoole and the above estates have been an integral part of Newtownabbey, the first town in Ireland's history to be constituted by an Act of Parliament at Westminster. By 1977, Newtownabbey was given 'borough' status.

A prominent feature of the community is its Christian churches, including all main Protestant denominations, but notably it has never featured a Roman Catholic church within its boundary, (although three lie a short distance beyond in different directions). In the original design, a local council bye-law prohibited premises selling alcohol within the bounds of the estate.

In the early decades, most of the commerce in the area was dominated by nearby Belfast, easily accessible by bus and public taxi services. Since the late 1970s, local shopping opportunities have been developed on what was a largely green field site centred around the Abbeycentre which has grown rapidly with the addition of many satellite trading centres including large DIY stores and most of the major UK high street retailers.

Communications are excellent, being beside the A2 Carrickfergus – Belfast road, a short drive from the ports of Belfast and Larne as well as both George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport.

The estate sits below the Cavehill and is bordered on the north by Carnmoney Hill, which features a small country park and on the south by a picturesque glen called Glas naBraden (Irish - Green of the Salmon). The shores of Belfast Lough at Whitehouse and Hazelbank park are within walking distance. Hazelbank is surrounded by the leftover walls of the Carrickfergus Village. The walls are built along the Belfast Shores.