Eureka Drive has replaced the earlier Eureka Street, built in 1870. The origin of the name is unclear. It does not seem to fit with any of the other themes noticeable in the Sandy Row area. As "eureka!" is an exclamation of discovery (it means "I've found it!" in Ancient Greek), it may be significant that Felt Street National School was nearby if the motivation was related to learning. Permission was granted to build this school in 1875 and Eureka Street is also mentioned in its address (Irish Histroric Towns Atlas xvii, 77).
'Eureka Street' is a 1996 novel by Robert McLiam Wilson which follows the lives and romances of two friends in divided Belfast during the Troubles.