Parliamentary Boundary Post, Near 783 Antrim Road, Belfast, Co Antrim

Parliamentary Boundary Post

This cast-iron boundary post dates from 1918 and marks the outer extent of the administrative jurisdiction of Belfast Corporation (as the Belfast City Council was then known), and of Duncairn District Electoral Division and Clifton Ward within it.

The post exhibits a degree of decoration beyond what its utilitarian function required. It comprises an octagonal base and collar, a tapered cylindrical drum embellished with a shield bearing the coat of arms of Belfast Corporation, a dentilled capital, and an octagonal cap crowned by a further circular cap with radial fluting and ball finial. The post is constructed from cast iron and is securely embedded in the pavement, reflecting the need for durability and tamper-proofing.

The front face bears the shield of Belfast Corporation's coat of arms. Below this was a circular plaque attached with four countersunk screws, which is now missing. Cast into the post behind where the plaque sat is the legend "RLIAMENTAR/ BOUNDARY/ OF/ BOROUGH/ OF". The first and last letters of the top word ('Parliamentary') are missing, as is 'Belfast' below the last line. These letters were undoubtedly ground off when the plaque was attached, as they extended beyond its edges. The missing plaque was undoubtedly identical to that on the boundary post on the opposite side of the road, which reads: "Parliamentary and Municipal Boundary of Belfast Duncairn Division Clifton Ward 1918". The absence of the plaque actually enhances the post's historical interest, as it reveals the earlier inscription showing that the post served to mark the extent of the County Borough of Belfast, making this survival comparatively rare and unique.

The County of the Borough of Belfast was created under the Local Government Act 1898 and enacted the following year. The new borough was divided into four constituencies for Westminster parliamentary elections – North, East, West and South. Under the Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918, the existing four constituencies were abolished and their number increased to nine: Cromac, Duncairn, Falls, Ormeau, Pottinger, St Anne's, Shankill, Victoria, and Woodvale. Each new parliamentary division had its own Member of Parliament and encompassed one or several municipal wards, which were used for elections to Belfast Corporation. Duncairn Division encompassed the municipal ward of Duncairn and also the north-east part of Clifton ward.

These new constituencies were first used in the General Election of 14 December 1918, just over a month after the cessation of the First World War. This election took place under the Representation of the People Act 1918, also known as the Fourth Reform Act. It was of special significance in that, for the first time, all men over 21 years of age and all women over 30 could vote; it was also the first election to be completed within a single day. Previously, only male property owners (and no women) could vote, and elections were spread out over several weeks. Sir Edward Carson was the constituency's first Member of Parliament.

With the inception of the devolved parliament for Northern Ireland in 1922, the number of Westminster MPs was greatly reduced. The Duncairn parliamentary constituency, created only four years before, was abolished and the previous seat of North Belfast restored (encompassing 14 wards in Belfast and five in Newtownabbey Borough Council). However, the municipal wards continued to be used for local elections, although some, including Duncairn, have since been reconfigured and renamed. The post now lies within Castle District Electoral Division (as used for Council elections) and within Bellevue Ward.

The boundary of the County Borough of Belfast is clearly marked on the 1901 Ordnance Survey map. This particular post is captioned as 'B.P' on that map and all subsequent editions. In the case of the 1901 map it denotes only the county borough's boundary, but from 1920 onwards also the municipal ward. Belfast Corporation was superseded by Belfast City Council in 1973, and its jurisdiction was extended beyond its former borough boundary.

The post is set into the inside edge of the footpath along the east side of Antrim Road, immediately south of its junction with Slievegoland Park. It now lies at a slight angle to the vertical. Behind it is a hedge delineating the boundary of the property behind.

The post has group value with the boundary post on the opposite side of the road and others elsewhere in Belfast, which together form probably the most complete group of administrative markers anywhere in the province.