Despite being listed on government boundary documents since 1972, an Armagh street has only now received official recognition of its name!
Nialls Crescent – just off the Killylea Road – has been long known but never named, at least in principle.
The almost circular development has been appearing in historic documentation since the late 1960s. The Cameron Report on 1969 disturbances in Armagh mentions a proposed parade route which would have seen the march walk along the Cathedral Road and end at Nialls Crescent.
So it was most definitely in existance then. However, it isn’t until the Local Government (Boundaries) Order for Northern Ireland is established in 1972 that it can be seen listed as an officially recognised area.
Nonetheless, another 54 years have passed since that recognition and the area has never been issued with a street sign.
Residents of the area have campaigned relentlessly for the acknowledgement and now finally – some 70 years after the homes were built – they have finally won their fight!
Contacting Armagh I with the news of their success, one resident said: “Nialls Crescent in Armagh got its first street name after 78 years! Surely this is a record. Kennedy’s Armagh and local residents pushed hard to get this recognition.”
Kennedys-Armagh Facebook page also delighted in the new addition, commenting: “Where the streets have no name now finally have a name. It’s only taken 70+ years!
“Big up to our local councillor John Og O’Kane for pursuing this on behalf of all the residents of Nialls Crescent and for Chris Powell for never ever giving up! We got there!”
And now, with the shiny new street sign in place, it has caused a number to reflect on the possible etymology of the name.
So this publication did a little digging.
Just outside Armagh, close to the banks of the River Callan (at Tullymore) there is an ancient monument traditionally known as ‘Niall’s Mound’. It’s thought that the mound was named in honour of King Niall III who is said to have drowned on horseback in the river during a battle against the Danes.
The area is in close proximity to the mound and, thereby, the area where Niall may have perished… making this in all likelihood, the reason for the street’s moniker.
It’s also perhaps no coincidence that the name Niall has been cited as meaning ‘Champion’.
