In his book Belfast an Illustrated History Jonathan Bardon observes that "the Marquis of Downshire opened up an estate at Creagh". Several streets in the area bear the Downshire name. The Marquess of Downshire was recorded in Griiffith's Valuation in 1862 as the landlord of Ballymaconaghy and Cregagh, the two townlands in which Downshire Road is located. This was Arthur Hill, 4th Marquess of Downshire. His residence was Hillsborough Castle.