THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Raising of the first sod of the Belfast and Ballymena railway

For a few hours the pretty village of Whitehouse “which lies on the Carrickfergus road” presented a “very gay appearance”.

Multitudes flocked to the village with a large number “conveyed from Belfast by vehicles of every description, from the coroneted coach to the humble hack-car”.

The occasion that lead to such an assemblage was the formal commencement of the works on the Belfast and Ballymena Railway.

The spot chosen for the “turning of the first sod” on the railway line was in a field which adjoined the Church at Whitehouse.

Entertainment for the day was provided by the band of the Cameronian regiment whose services help to heighten the excitement of the occasion.

A number of flags had been hoisted on poles along part of the intended line, while a white band was draped between two poles on which were emblazoned the words “BELFAST AND BALLYMENA RAILWAY”.

Precisely at one o’clock the carriage of the Lord Viscount of Masserene and Ferrard arrived carrying the nobleman on who responsibility had fallen to lift the first sod of the new railway line.

The News Letter’s correspondent reported: “His Lordship in a really ‘workmanlike manner’ delved out a few spadesfull of the sod, with which he filled the barrow [a ‘handsome mahogany’ wheel barrow had been laid on for the occasion]” amid repeated cheers and waving of hats of those gathered.