Aldergrove: Aviation History and Churches

Aviation history and church records give Aldergrove distinct historical points of reference; older buildings add to this picture. Nearby Crumlin Glen offers a separate focus on landscape and walks. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Aldergrove, you can first consider whether local history or an outing to the surrounding area better suits your travel plans. The historic sites can also be clearly distinguished by period.

Aviation history in several phases

During the First World War, Aldergrove was selected as a training facility for the Royal Flying Corps. During the Second World War, Aldergrove remained a Royal Air Force base, particularly for Coastal Command. These details relate to two distinct military periods. On September 26, 1963, civilian air operations were transferred from Nutts Corner to Aldergrove. The Aldergrove Airport terminal building also opened in 1963. W.H. McAlister and Parmers designed the building. In this way, the training facility, RAF base, and civilian air operations form a chronological sequence without conflating the individual stages. The terminal adds a specific architectural point of reference to the chronology.

Church records and building phases

One point of reference in the church records is St Catherine’s in Killead, built in 1712. Today’s St James’ Church in Aldergrove dates back to a small chapel built in 1815 in the townland of Ballyquillan. The present church was extended and altered between 1838 and 1841. St James’ building history includes the 1815 chapel and the alterations made between 1838 and 1841. The church is one of four churches in the parish of Glenavy and Killead. This context adds the church’s place within the parish to its building chronology.

A cottage with a clearly described form

Another architectural example is Crookedstone House, a cottage built before 1833. It is two storeys high, five bays wide, and rendered, with a porch and thatched roof. Two storeys describes the number of floors; five bays describes the division of the façade into five bays. The render and thatched roof describe the surface and roofing materials. Taken together, these details make it possible to understand the building’s form not only by its date but also by its façade and materials. Crookedstone House thus adds another described building to the history of the churches and terminal.

Nearby Crumlin Glen

Another focus lies nearby: Crumlin Glen is on the eastern slopes of Divis Mountain. There, the Crumlin River has carved out a short, deep gorge before approaching Lough Neagh. A walking trail through the woods of Crumlin Glen leads to Cockle House. Two distinct features are found here: the river-carved gorge and a woodland path leading to the named destination. If you’d like to plan a walk alongside visits related to the area’s building and aviation history, this nearby trail offers a separate focus for your travel plans.

Information on arrival

There is a tourist information desk in the arrivals area of Belfast International Airport. You can get information there about transport, attractions, and accommodation. Check the desk’s opening hours before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Dunadry, Newtownabbey, Carnlough, Cushendall, Antrim, Templepatrick, Larne, Ballymoney.

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