Skegoneill Drive is located in the townland of Skegoneill, from the Ir. Sceitheog an Iarla 'the little thorn-tree of the earl'. According to James O'Laverty, the thorn-tree in question marked the spot where William de Burgo, Earl of Ulster, was assassinated in 1333, but this is uncertain and the connection may be with another earl. The name has been anglicised as if the qualifying element were the surname O'Neill, which is definitely not supported by the historical forms. A similar thing has occurred with Ligoniel, which has no etymological link with the O'Neills.
Like the older Skegoneill Avenue, Skegoneill Drive is probably not simply named after the townland itself but rather after a house of the same name, marked on the 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey six-inch map (1832-46). For further details see Skegoneill Avenue.
Street Names on Housing Sites
Read the following resolution of the Housing Committee of 29th ult.:
"Street Names"
"The City Surveyor suggested, for the approval of the Committee, the names Whitewell Parade, Whitewell Crescent, and Whitewell Drive for the new streets on the Whitewell Housing Site.
He also submitted suggested names for the new streets on the Skegoneil Site as follows: Glandore Drive, Glandore Parade, and Skegoneil Drive.
Resolved — That the names now submitted by the City Surveyor be approved of and the Improvement Committee recommended to adopt them accordingly.
Resolved — That the recommendation of the Housing Committee be adopted." (11th March 1924).