donegallplace

Seems like it was a thing but the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and is one of the 365 most endangered species in the world, as per the 2nd link below.

thepearlgirls.com/blogs/pearl-blog/irish-pearls

www.pearlmusselproject.ie/freshwater-pearl-mussel.html

A picture from the catalogue of their shop in Belfast

catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000519165

“THE DIRECTORY OF BRITISH ELECTROPLATED SILVER MAKERS described this establishment as: "A retail business active since 1884 at Donegall Place, Belfast and at Edgware Rd, London from 1852 until c. 1880. In 1909 the firm was converted into a Ltd. Sharman Dermott Neill was a descendent of Robert Neill, who in partnership with Henry Gardner, advertised 'Telescopes' in 1810. Sharman D. Neill Ltd is still active at 7-9 Royal Avenue, Belfast" An interior shot of the shop: When World War One broke out, Mr Neill was commissioned to make cap badges for the Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV). Each member of the YCV had to purchase one of these distinctive badges, which depicted a shamrock and the Red Hand of Ulster, topped by a crown. The business also made the ‘Neill’s Sight’, a sniper sight for the 36th Ulster Division. This was issued to the best shots in the battalion. It differed from other sights as it was affixed to the side of a rifle - thereby allowing a soldier to focus on far away targets while also being able to use the gun’s normal sight for closer range. Two sons from the Neill family, Dermot and Robert, joined The Royal Irish Rifles. Both were killed on the Western Front”

www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/history-and-genealogy/buildi...

No pearls, so far

Suck Diesel Keep panning for pearls.

Great

A moment in time..so great!

This is a fantastic photograph taken from the first floor of the Ulster Reform Club in Royal Avenue - the buildings to the left and right are still there although the building in the centre, at the corner of Castle Place and Donegall Place, formerly known as 'Gibson's Corner', has been replaced by a modern McDonald's. As the tram system wasn’t electrified until late 1905 – the first test took place in Sep 1905 and the system was officially opened on 5 Dec 1905 – this photo is most likely post-1905.

Gerry Ward Thanks Gerry! Have amended date to "Circa 1906" and added "Gibson's Corner" as a tag... :)

The Lennon Wylie site lists a Berlitz school in Belfast for the first time in 1907, at Royal Avenue, and has it moving to Wellington Place in 1910.

They also made enamel badges;

Streetview: goo.gl/maps/fQKnRvxSiwT2

The correct name is SHARMAN D. NEILL "A retail business active since 1884 at Donegall Place, Belfast and at Edgware Rd, London from 1852 until c. 1880. In 1909 the firm was converted into a Ltd. Sharman Dermott Neill was a descendent of Robert Neill, who in partnership with Henry Gardner, advertised 'Telescopes' in 1810. Sharman D. Neill Ltd is still active at 7-9 Royal Avenue, Belfast" www.silvercollection.it/electroplatesilverNOP.html

B-59 I see from your street view that the premises is now River Island, the Photo from Grafton Street two or three days of ago was also currently occupied by River Island!!

The shop to the right, Thornton & Co, has a "Special Attentant for Ladies Body Belts", whatever they were. Thorntons were still in Donegall Place in 1929, but had a very different shopfront. Page 76 of this link. issuu.com/glenravel/docs/snapshots2