Carnalea

Infobox UK place
official_name= Carnalea
irish_name= Carnan Lao
scots_name=
local_name=
static_

static_image_caption=
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.664425009442354
longitude= -5.706624984741211
belfast_distance= 11 miles
population= 778 (2001)
irish_grid_reference= J479820
unitary_northern_ireland= North Down Borough
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= BANGOR
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT19
dial_code= 028, +44 28
constituency_westminster= North Down
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Down
website=

Carnalea ("Carnan Lao" in Irish, 'the small mound of the calf') is a small, largely residential region in the West of Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. It consists of the Killaire area, Station Road area and Seymour area and falls under the control of North Down Borough Council, and within the Bangor West electoral boundary. Carnalea is bordered by Belfast Lough to the North, Crawfordsburn to the immediate West, Wandsworth and Springhill/Rathmore to the immediate South, and Bryansburn to the East, which then leads into Bangor town centre. The area has seen relatively increased development in recent years, notably with the creation of Carnalea Glen, Station Court, and Killaire Court. The closure of the Carnalea Mini-Market after Christmas of 2005 has led to the site's redevelopment for residential use, such is the high demand for housing in the area.

Station Road, off the Crawfordsburn Road, is the central area of Carnalea and leads to Carnalea railway station, Carnalea Golf Club, the North Down coastal path and a private road of modern dwellings in the grounds of a former manor. Recently, the Carnalea Residents Association, in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), implemented a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in order to maintain the high standards of living and social security that are synonymous with the general North Down area.

Places of interest

Carnalea Golf Club - The main attraction of Carnalea, with an 18-hole course situated on the coast providing panoramic views of Belfast Lough and adjacent to the North Down coastal path. The clubhouse at Carnalea began renovation in March 2007. As well as a picturesque golf course, Carnalea Golf club also boasts a bar, restaurant, separate function room, and Snooker room. It even has a roof to keep the rain out. These facilities regularly entice the visit of professional footballer Keith Gillespie.

North Down Coastal Path - Stretching from Bangor to Holywood and overlooking Belfast Lough, the coastal path is popular with ramblers, dog walkers, runners and cyclists (despite cycling being prohibited). Alternative access to the coastal path is via Kerr's Wood, a tree-lined pathway originating at the Crawfordsburn Road.

Travel

The Carnalea area is well served by Carnalea railway station and two bus stops with both services provided by Translink. The train station was refurbished by Translink, with the aid of the Carnalea Residents Association in the summer of 2005. Journey times by train to Belfast and Bangor are approximately forty minutes and five minutes respectively.

Elderly issues

The population of Carnalea is predominantly elderly. Local nursing home Ailsa Lodge is situated in the Killaire area, whilst another care home bearing Carnalea's name, the Four Seasons Carnalea Nursing Home lies closer towards Bangor town centre in Bryansburn, outside the commonly accepted Carnalea border. Just beside the Seymour area is another cluster of elderly housing, a private area known as Worcester Avenue.

Religion

Carnalea falls within the Church of Ireland Diocese of Down and Dromore, which in Roman Catholic terms is the Diocese of Down and Connor. The are two local churches bearing the Carnalea title, but, much like the aforementioned Four Seasons Carnalea Nursing Home, it it notable that neither church falls within what would be generally accepted as the Carnalea area. Saint Gall's Parish of Carnalea is an Anglican/Episcopalian place of worship, and is situated just past the Killaire area, beside Bryansburn Rangers FC's Ballywooley Playing Fields. Its Summer Fête and May Fair are particularly popular with local residents. Much further afield is Carnalea Methodist Church, which has undergone considerable redevelopment in the past year in order to modernise the church grounds. It is the home of the popular Carnalea Wado Kai Karate Club and Carnalea Methodist Youth Club. It lies in the Springhill (Bangor suburb) area of Bangor, commonly known as Rathmore.

External links

- Bangor, County Down
- Springhill (Bangor suburb)
- Clandeboye
- Carnalea Golf Club [http://www.carnaleagolfclub.co.uk]
- Translink [http://www.translink.co.uk]