Irish street signs approved for South Belfast despite local opposition

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 15:18 · Archive

Belfast Council has approved Irish-English dual language street signs for Sicily Park beside the Taughmonagh loyalist estate, despite 34 per cent of residents opposing the move.

Belfast Council has approved dual language street signs displaying Irish and English for Sicily Park beside the Taughmonagh estate in South Belfast, despite more residents opposing the move than supporting it.

In a survey of 357 residents on the street, 27 per cent—96 occupiers—were in favour of a second street name plate in Irish, Páirc na Sicile. Thirty-four per cent, or 120 occupiers, were against it, and two per cent had no preference. All 49 approved streets across Belfast met the 15 per cent threshold required for dual language signage, but Sicily Park was the only one where more residents opposed the signs than supported them.

The council committee approved the signs at an October meeting at City Hall. One resident submitted concerns to the council, noting that Sicily Park is a main access road to the Taughmonagh Estate, a majority loyalist area, and warned that erecting signs in Irish would lead to 'vandalism and civil unrest' in an area of mixed religious and political beliefs that is normally 'peaceful and friendly'. The signs will cost £19,800 to manufacture and erect.

How it is being reported

• Irish street signs to be erected beside loyalist estate in South BelfastIrish dual language street signs are to be erected beside the Taughmonagh estate in South Belfast, despite more residents in the street in question saying they were against the move than were in favour.News Letter · 11 Oct, 14:46
• Irish street signs to be erected beside loyalist estate in South BelfastOne resident said the erection of signs in Irish would lead to "vandalism and civil unrest"Belfast Live · 9 Oct, 17:18

In this story: Belfast Council · Taughmonagh · Sicily Park · South Belfast

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