Looking back at Bangor's Hirael

Dick Hughes, Harry Williams and Owen Griffiths help out in Edmond Street

Once the hub of Bangor's thriving maritime industry, the Hirael district is now being considered for a number of new developments. But how did it come to prosper originally?

Before it was chosen as a well-placed port for the Penrhyn slate quarry, there weren't many residents in this part of town.

But, when slate ships began to use the port, a thriving shipbuilding industry sprang up in the 19th century.

A network of 12 streets of cheap housing for the growing labour force soon sprang up around the main artery of Ambrose Street.

But these streets were prone to flooding, as parts of Hirael lay below high tide level.

"In those days, everybody in Hirael rented their property and had no insurance," said Hirael-born historian, John Cowell. "So they just had to move upstairs and get on with life."

The problems were created by the River Adda, which flowed from Glanadda down to Beach Road. If high tide coincided with heavy rain, the lower streets would flood. This was partly solved when the beach outlet was widened in the 1930s.

"I can remember the river being open all the way from the bottom of Glyn Road, right up to the old Crosville garage," said John. "They only closed it when they built the swimming pool in the 1960s."

Despite these trials, Hirael people soon became a close-knit community. They became known as Sibols, though John isn't quite sure why.

"Nobody can figure out this name," he said. "It seems to have a reputation, but I don't know what the derivation is at all."

The Linda Blanche; the seventh slate ship of the Penrhyn fleet

Hirael began to thrive. "It was self-contained, with 13 shops, four pubs, three shoemakers, three tailors and a baker at one time," said John.

Three shipbuilding yards became established along the shore: John Parry's, opposite the Nelson Arms; John Robert's, beside the mouth of the River Adda; and Edward Ellis's, where Dickie's yard still stands today.

Hirael was also home to the Penrhyn Arms, "one of the most fashionable hotels on the whole stretch of the A5, from London to Holyhead" according to John's research. It was also the first home of Bangor University, housing its science department until the 1920s.

"It was demolished to make way for the extension of Beach Road, which used to stop by the Nelson Arms," said John. "But it really was a focal point of Hirael.

"Now, only its portico remains, on the road up to Bangor Golf Club."

Not much remains of the shipbuilding industry, either.

"It was on the wane when first iron, then steel ships started appearing," said John. "All the ships made at Hirael were wooden, but once steel became all the rage, the traditional old shipbuilding industry virtually collapsed over night. They just couldn't compete with the big shipyards."

And with that went the sailmakers, chandlers, foundry and blockmakers.

Built for slate, Port Penrhyn is still a base for a number of businesses

"Dickie's yard is still there - the last connection with the past," said John. "During World War II, it was taken over by the Ministry of Defence and they built torpedo boats there; it was a very busy place again.

"Then Dickie began to cater for the leisure industry, building yachts."

John would like the area to keep hold of its maritime connections. "They're talking about building hotels or university hostels, but I think that's a big mistake. There's great scope for tourism, with maybe a nice prom along the seafront or a marina."