“Head, heel or toe – slip it to Joe” – the words which are associated with Joe Bambrick, Irish football idol and Donegall Road man.When Ireland beat Wales 7-0 at Celtic Park in Belfast, on 1 February 1930, the man of the moment and the name on everyone’s lips was Belfast-born centre-forward Joe Bambrick. That’s because, unbelievably, ‘slip it to Joe’ had scored 6 of the 7 goals, a double hat-trick — an unprecedented achievement which has never been equalled by any other British international footballer in the 92 years since.Arguably the greatest Irish centre-forward of all time Bambrick achieved legendary status at Linfield FC, though he also turned out for Chelsea and Walsall.Please consider supporting the podcast on Patreon.com where you can access exclusive content and receive episodes before everyone else: https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=trueSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true)

For this episode of the Historical Belfast Podcast I visited St. Matthew’s Parish Church, consecrated 150 years ago on 11 March 1872. I chatted with Sam Guthrie (Queen’s University Belfast) who has been busy working on an exhibition about the social history of St. Matthew’s and the surrounding community of the Shankill.Your support on Patreon would be hugely appreciated: https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Historical Belfast Podcast – the first episode of 2022 but also the last in the Sandy Row mini series which has been an absolute pleasure to make.I’ve decided to come to Sandy Row for the final episode and take a walk along the road we’ve been exploring over the last few months. The focus will be on the historical plaques that I encounter along the way – so, come and take a walk with me and see what I have found…Click here for Historical Belfast on PatreonSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true)

For this episode of the Historical Belfast Podcast I’ve decided to take a walk around Belfast City Cemetery on the Falls Road, a remarkable burial ground that, when inspected more closely, offers its own insight into Belfast’s complex and multi-layered history. However, I’m going to avoid providing a history of the cemetery on this occasion, because I think that deserves an episode of its own later down the line. So instead, as part of the Sandy Row mini series (which only has one episode left after this one), I’ve had a look for some Sandy Row related graves in the cemetery… Come and take a walk with me and see what I’ve found…PS. If you'd be interested in joining me for a walking tour of the cemetery please get in touch: [email protected]

In July 2021 it was reported that a 17th century bridge had been discovered by archaeologists in Belfast, encased within its 20th century reconstructed successor.According to local folklore, the Saltwater Bridge – which crossed Belfast’s Blackstaff River close to where it enters the arterial River Lagan – was on the route taken by King William III and his forces on their journey to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. You’ll have heard in the previous episode about Sandy Row Orange Hall of King William’s connection to the Sandy Row area. Indeed, there is a connection to King James II too as he is also thought to have retreated across the bridge in the wake of his defeat at the Boyne.As part of an archaeological survey, a series of cores were taken from the modern bridge. These confirmed that remains of the older bridge had been fully encapsulated by the later structure. The Boyne Bridge was initially intended to be a transport solution for Belfast, but ironically it’s a future is in doubt as a result of a new transport solution for Belfast. In 2017, Belfast City Council voted in favour of a new £208m Translink ‘transport hub’ which will lead to the bridge’s demolition. A spokeswoman for the Department of Infrastructure (who approved the project in 2019) said earlier this year: “The department can confirm that the Boyne Bridge is due to be removed during the development of the Belfast Transport Hub”. As part of the stringent planning conditions for the Belfast Transport Hub (BTH), the older remains of the bridge will be preserved in situ within the final development, but the 1936 structure will be lost.However, some local residents are opposed to the plan and have called for the bridge to be retained, refurbished and incorporated into the plans.Billy Dickson is one of them. He has been leading a campaign to save the historic Boyne Bridge and I’ve been speaking to him about it. 

The 3rd of 3 parts exploring Sandy Row and The Great War.This Sandy Row mini-series is brought to you in collaboration with Belfast South Community Resources and also with the support of the South Belfast Urban Village Initiative. 

Having explored 1914 and 1915 in Part 1, Part 2 will look at aspects of The Great War in 1916.This Sandy Row mini-series is brought to you in collaboration with Belfast South Community Resources and also with the support of the South Belfast Urban Village Initiative. 

In the preface of his 1922 book The History of the 36th (Ulster) Division the author Cyril Falls made a noteworthy prediction:  ‘A hundred years hence, men will be delving into our records of the late war. Soldiers will be studying the lessons of its battles. But yet a greater number of seekers will be demanding with curiosity how men lived in such circumstances, how they reacted to the strain of war, and what compensations they found.’This episode delves into the records of that 'late war' searching for evidence of Sandy Row involvement. So plentiful was the content discovered that it will require 3 episodes to explore, and so this is part 1 of 3.This Sandy Row mini-series is brought to you in collaboration with Belfast South Community Resources and also with the support of the South Belfast Urban Village Initiative. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true)

Standing weathered and tall at the Lisburn Road end of Sandy Row is the district’s Orange Hall; now over 150 years old. Episode 18 of the Historical Belfast Podcast takes a closer look at the history of the hall which has acted as a community centre for generations of people living in Sandy Row.This Sandy Row mini-series is brought to you in collaboration with Belfast South Community Resources and also with the support of the South Belfast Urban Village Initiative. If you’re enjoying the episodes please remember to give the podcast a rating and to share on your social media. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true)

This episode of the Sandy Row mini-series is on Thomas Carnduff ‘the shipyard poet’ from Sandy Row. The series is brought to you in collaboration with Belfast South Community Resources and also with the support of the South Belfast Urban Village Initiative. For this episode I was joined by broadcaster and Ulster Scots enthusiast Mark Thompson.Song of the Unemployed (read by Andrew McNeill) The Song of the Unemployed - Thomas Carnduff - YouTubeSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/historicalbelfast?fan_landing=true)