Avonvale is a short cul-de-sac of detached houses located off Circular Road in the Belmont area of East Belfast. The name does not seem to derive from any historic townland or local geographical feature but appears to be a modern invention, likely chosen for its scenic and pastoral connotations—Avon being reminiscent of the Irish word for river, probably alluding to the historic Craigavon House, and vale meaning valley.
The street was not present on Ordnance Survey maps as late as the 1970s, suggesting that Avonvale was developed during the late 1970s or early 1980s. It was part of a broader pattern of post-war suburban infill, as the grounds of large private estates in the area—such as Marmont House, Craigavon House, and Ballymisert House—were gradually subdivided for housing. The land on which Avonvale was built likely once formed part of the Craigavon estate or adjacent open ground.
Craigavon House was built in 1870 by architect Thomas Jackson for James Craig senior. One of his sons, James Craig junior, who was to become the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, moved with the family to this house when very young and grew up there. He was later named Viscount Craigavon, a title which alludes to this house.
Comprising approximately 15 detached homes, Avonvale was constructed as a private, low-density development in keeping with the character of the surrounding area. The street’s quiet setting and mature trees reflect the earlier estate landscape. It was formally registered with the postcode BT4 2WA in 1995, by which time it was already an established address.
Though modern in origin, the name Avonvale reflects a broader trend of naming new developments in East Belfast with rural or heritage-style names during the second half of the 20th century.