In 1833 consisted only of an iron foundry and eight houses, one of which was the residence of Rev. Josias Wilson, minister of Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, built in 1833. The street took its name from being on the outskirts of the town (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 19/02/1941).
Townsend Street named as the then end of the urban town. “Mary’s Market” was in Townsend Street, later became known as “The Bullring”. It is included in the list of streets in the Belfast Directory 1835-1836 with a reference to the Falls Road as an adjoining street.
Townsend Street is first recorded on the Ordnance Survey map of Belfast, c. 1830.
The Irish language form only applies to part of the street. Dual language street sign (English and Irish) approved under the Gaeltacht Quarter Project.