Argyle Court
Location: Off Conway Street, West Belfast
Established: In residential use by 1983
Overview: Argyle Court is a small residential cul-de-sac in West Belfast, branching off Conway Street in an area historically known for its industrial development and working-class housing. The surrounding grid of Third to Eighth Streets—commonly known as the "Ten Streets"—was developed in the 19th century to support mill workers in the rapidly expanding city. Argyle Court likely emerged later as part of later-phase residential development during the 20th century.
Name Origin: The name "Argyle" is an Anglicised version of Argyll, a historic region in western Scotland and the title of a prominent Scottish dukedom. Its use in Belfast reflects a broader naming convention in the city’s Protestant-majority and unionist areas, where British and Scottish geographical names were used to lend heritage or distinction. Nearby Argyle Street, present by at least 1870 (as recorded in the Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory), likely inspired the naming of Argyle Court.
Cultural and Historical Context: Argyle Court’s development came during a time when West Belfast saw additional modest housing introduced within already established neighbourhoods, responding to population growth and housing needs. Though its layout and naming differ from the earlier, numbered streets nearby, the name 'Argyle' reflects a broader pattern of British and Scottish-influenced street names in the area, such as Northumberland Street and Conway Street.
First Confirmed Residential Use: A death notice published in the Belfast Telegraph on 18 February 1983 lists "6 Argyle Court" as a separate address, confirming residential use of the court by that time.
Conclusion: Argyle Court represents a modest yet illustrative example of 20th-century residential growth in Belfast. Added after the original 19th-century street grid, it became part of the evolving neighbourhood landscape in West Belfast. Its name reflects a pattern of Scottish and British place-naming found throughout the area, and its development highlights broader trends in housing provision for working-class communities during a time of continued urban change.