placenamesSunnylands
Fearann na Gréine
A school opened in 1953 became a meeting place for the growing Sunnylands community in Carrickfergus.
The name
These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
- Fearann na Gréine · Irish · main form · validated name
- Sunnylands · English · main form
Place & story
A new primary school
Sunnylands Primary School began teaching on 24 August 1953, with 365 pupils and eight teachers. It followed the closure of Victoria Temporary Primary School and Carrickfergus Parochial Primary School during a reorganisation of the town’s schools. J McFadden became principal, with H S Gorman as vice-principal. The date above the main entrance recalls that opening year. [2]
From a school meeting to a church
In 1969 a Sunnylands platoon of the 3rd Carrickfergus Boys’ Brigade was formed, with John Black in charge. Its company and junior sections met in the primary school for eight years. Contacts made through the brigade led to church services in a local hall and then to Woodlands Presbyterian Church on Burleigh Drive. The platoon became the 5th Carrickfergus Company in 1977. [3]
Geographic information
Sources & further reading
- Logainm.ie — Sunnylands. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- History of Sunnylands · Sunnylands Primary School
- 5th Carrickfergus Boys’ Brigade: 40th Annual Display booklet · 5th Carrickfergus Boys’ Brigade / Woodlands Presbyterian Church
Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2021-05-26. How this page was prepared.