‘Historic’ gate post unearthed in Whiteabbey

The discovery of a “lovely” gate post during a property clearance in the Ypres Park area of Newtownabbey has sparked interest locally.
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The decorated pillar was uncovered in the garden of the premises last Wednesday (January 27) after land was cleared.

Resident Jean Carson contacted this newspaper to detail the find.

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Mrs Carson, who has lived in the area for over 20 years, said: “The garden was overgrown and people have been here to cut it back. After a lot of the vegetation was cut, the lovely pillar was found.

The gate post was unearthed in the Ypres Park area.The gate post was unearthed in the Ypres Park area.
The gate post was unearthed in the Ypres Park area.

“The houses here were built for returning servicemen after World War One. It would be interesting to know what was here before the homes were constructed and if there was a stately home on the site with the gate posts marking the edge of the land.

“Hopefully someone will be able to shine some light on it. I know there is a building at Whiteabbey Hospital which was designed by Charles Lanyon, so there may be a history of homes like this in the area.”

Listening Ear representative, Brian Kerr, has a keen interest in the history of the Macedon area.

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The Cloughfern Orangeman spoke with older members from his lodge who grew up in the area after hearing of the interesting find.

Mr Kerr said: “The homes at Ypres Park were built in the 1920s for returning service personnel following the First World War. I understand that before the houses were built, there were two farms on the land. There were also a number of cottages on the Station Road.

“It would be interesting to know the origin of the gate post and how it found its way to Ypres Park.”

In October the Times reported how the former site of Hill Croft School and farmland to the rear of Whiteabbey Hospital in Newtownabbey were to be sold. For more on this story, read here

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If you have any further information about the gate post in Ypres Park, contact [email protected]

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