The name Willowbank features in the OSNI Historical First Edition (1832 -1846) map. In the 1863-1864 BPUD the name Patrick Kinnear occurs - he is described as a linen yarn merchant and living at Willow Bank, Antrim Road. The surmise is that the street name comes from this property. The minutes of the Town Improvement Committee of Belfast Corporation on 23 May 1894 indicate the naming of Marsden Street and Willowbank Gardens off the Cavehill Road.
Further Information
Dean refers to Willowbank Cottage pre 1832 which was according to him direclty opposite the old entrance and lodge to Beechmount porter's accommodation built by Sharman Moore.