Village history Page 5

On the opening of Strandtown Public Elementary School in 1933, the old Jubilee School closed and made way for shops at the Sandown Road corner. Children from Ballyhackamore now attend Strandtown Primary, Greenwood Nursery or St Joseph’s schools.

Strandtown Primary School

Ballyhackamore in the past even boasted a 1300 seater cinema! The 22^nd of December 1934 was an historic day for picture goers in East Belfast when a new luxury suburban cinema, the Astoria, was opened in a buzz of excitement in Ballyhackamore. It was set well back from the road on the Upper Newtownards Road where today, the telephone exchange is sited. It had some unusual architectural features and with a white marble frontage, the cinema always made a strong impact on passers by.

The Astoria in 1934 could have been said to have been ahead of it’s time, incorporating the latest in design and comfort. One entrance (on the country side) led to a luxury carpeted foyer and double stairway which led to the back stalls, balcony and first floor restaurant. The doors on the city side gave access to a less grand corridor and pay box to the front stalls. Three thousand, seven hundred and fifty yards of Wilton carpet was fitted. Declining attendances led to the closure in August 1974 with the last feature film being, “Oh! You are awful”, starring comedian Dick Emery.  

Ballyhackamore Library

Ballyhackamore library was officially opened by Lord Belstead on the 7^th April 1992.   It is situated at the junction of Eastleigh Drive and Upper Newtownards Road and is ideally placed to serve local residents, shoppers and school children. The Library is situated on the first floor and is easily reached by stairs and a passenger lift.

A wide range of books is provided for Adults and Children, together with audiocassettes, daily newspapers, magazines and community information. Educational videos are also available.

There are comfortable seats for relaxing and browsing and carrels for private study. On the same floor there is a meeting room with seating for fifty people and is available for use by approved groups. The Village Trust meet in this room each quarter.

The Library has proved an asset to the Village Community.

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