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In west Belfast, a unique archaeological project is bringing to light the vanished streets named after Italian cities such as Venice, Genoa, Turin, and Pisa. Although these places once thrived in the area, they were largely wiped out to make way for the construction of the Westlink dual carriageway in the late 1970s. Now, schoolchildren from nearby St Peter’s Primary School are helping to excavate the remains of these long-lost neighborhoods, uncovering items that offer a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there over a century ago.
The excavation is led by experts from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) as part of the Community Archaeology Programme. Dr. Colm Donnelly from QUB explained that the site, located beside the Grosvenor Recreation Centre and just a short distance from the Westlink, lies at the core of what was once industrial Belfast during the 19th century. He described how the city’s expansion during the mid-to-late 1800s transformed green fields into densely populated housing estates with back-to-back terraces, where large families lived in cramped conditions.
These Victorian houses, found on streets with Italian names, housed families of eight to ten people in small compartments, reflecting a lifestyle marked by limited privacy but strong community bonds. “There’s a sense of claustrophobia,” Donnelly said, “but conversely, it’s a community and everybody’s very close and everybody knows everybody else. Maybe in modern society that’s not the case.” The ongoing dig has revealed numerous artifacts, including tobacco pipes, Bovril bottles, and tiles bearing warnings about the dangers of alcohol.
Young participants like nine-year-olds Kayden and Bonnie have embraced the hands-on experience, learning about the city’s history while digging up soil and various objects. Kayden shared how he initially knew little about the area but has come to appreciate its heritage through the project. Donnelly stressed the importance of connecting children with their local history, highlighting that this past is quite literally “under their feet” but often goes unnoticed. With many more stories buried beneath Belfast’s surface, the project hopes to inspire further explorations in safe locations around the city
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