This article explores the resurgence of interest in Ireland's historic laneways, often forgotten in favor of modern developments. It highlights the cultural significance and hidden stories preserved within these narrow pathways, using Belfast's Entries and Derry's Dark Lane as examples.
They are portals to the past, places of lost histories, whispered tales, and forgotten lives, but Ireland ’s ancient laneways threading their way through towns and cities are staging a revival. With urban redevelopment many of these thoroughfares became neglected while surrounding areas were replaced with the modernity of identikit shopping streets.
The labyrinth of narrow lanes in Belfast, referred to as Entries, have for centuries played an indelible role as clandestine routes for the rich and poor, and for horses and handcarts. The Morning News, Ireland’s first penny paper, was published in Crown Entry, while Joy’s Entry was named after Francis Joy, the founder of the Belfast News Letter. Winecellar and Pottinger’s Entries are shortcuts connecting the city centre with the cultural conviviality of the Cathedral Quarter, and come with colourful painted murals. Sugarhouse Entry, the title of a novel in 1936 by Richard Hayward, had been damaged in the Blitz in 1941 and was closed for more than 50 years during the Troubles. It reopened recently as part of a new project to breathe life into the passageways. The entry took its name from a sugar refinery established in 1666, linked to the slave trade and which made many businessmen wealthy. The United Irishmen, some of whom stood against slavery by boycotting sugar products, met in the early 1790s in the Dr Franklin Tavern, which to divert suspicion was also known as the Muddler’s Club. They were welcomed by the redoubtable landlady, Peggy Barclay, but the rebels were betrayed by her barmaid Belle Martin. In Derry, the Dark Lane – immortalised in Phil Coulter’s song The Town I Loved So Well – dated from 1750. However, in 1952 its name was changed to Joyce Street and two decades later it was demolished to make way for the Lecky Road flyover, but survives in the city’s musicalit
Urban Development Culture Ireland Laneways History Belfast Derry Urban Renewal Culture
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