Glencairn Road had previously been called Monkshill Road. Ordinance Survey map (1846-1862) features Glencairn. “Big houses were often named for a nearby geographical feature or an association with Scotland. These included Glencairn (after the Cunningham seat in Dumfriesshire)” Dean in his book on gate lodges in Ulster believes a gate lodge was built around 1860. According to Dean, Josias Cunningham bought the property in 1855, or his eldest son James, greatly extended the original house, realigned the avenue and added the lodge sometime after 1857. “Josias Cunningham & Co., stock and share brokers, foreign agents, general brokers and commission merchants; also agents to the Life Association of Scotland; J. Cunninghams residence, Glencairn, Ballygomartin”. 1861 Belfast / Ulster Street Directory
"Letter read, dated 7th inst from Mr S. Cunningham, Fernhill, asking that the road running past Glencairn from the junctions of Whiterock and Ballygomartin roads formerly known as Monkshill road be named Glencairn road and it was resolved that the application be granted". (7th May 1907).