History of the Area

Baile Dúin Finn (Ballydownfine) sits in the shadow of Black Mountain and Divis Mountain. It was described in 1832 as ‘a village consisting of eleven families’, however the identity of the ‘Anderson’ referred to in the place-name is unknown, although the name is likely to have been of Lowland Scots origin as is common with the majority of the Andersons of Ulster. Throughout these years and up until around 1950 the area was very much a rural entity on the far outskirts of Belfast and agricultural in character.

Andersonstown as we know it today started to take its present form throughout the 1950s and 1960s. The Lower Falls area became increasingly overcrowded due to rapid population rises, and the area needed urgent regeneration to improve living standards. The highly flawed and often discriminatory Northern Ireland Housing Trust commissioned the building of new housing estates for residents of the Lower Falls in areas such as Andersonstown and Poleglass.

With the onset of the conflict in the North and the largest forced transfer of populations since World War II through sectarian violence and civil strife, a whole new demographic now needed shelter. Andersonstown became one of the primary sources of housing for this new population and the rapid expansion of the estate was struggling to keep up with this increase.

It is against this backdrop that the estate came to exist — however, it would be in the years from 1969 until the ceasefires and the eventual signing of the Good Friday Agreement when the people of the area would have to endure the most. The increased militarisation and fear caused by British and State forces during this period was felt keenly in the Andersonstown area. The area suffered greatly in terms of developing infrastructure, community facilities and services. High levels of long-term unemployment and ill health blighted the area. Lack of investment ensured that these problems were deeply embedded and generational.

The impact of the conflict was such that there was no investment in any social, community or economic infrastructure. The British Army had a base within the estate at Silver City and this resulted in increased tension within the area, often resulting in violence and civil unrest. During the 1981 Hunger Strikes the area suffered acutely with two local men from the estate, Joe McDonnell and Kieran Doherty (Teachta Dála for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency from June 1981 to August 1981), passing away on 8th July 1981 and 2nd August 1981 respectively.

During the infant stages of the Peace Process and the years which followed, the area has begun to thrive in every regard, with the opportunity to enhance the lives of those around each other being seized during this era of progress. Despite a range of historical social, economic and political issues, a strong sense of community solidarity has always existed and flourished within the area. It is through these experiences that the people of the estate have gained the strength of character and determination to ensure that their community prevails as a place where anyone would be proud to live.