John Gilbert – Taughmonagh Estate

I went to the estate on a number of occasions, first to identify environmental problems on the estate (I think again with Louis Boyle) Then when men from Sandy Row were dismantling a bungalow to re erect it as a ‘community hall’ (UDA drinking Den) in Sandy Row. I found the construction fascinating, all the aluminium trusses were so light, had not rusted and were held together with aluminium nuts and bolts. Only the outer sheets had corroded at the base.

I also went to Taughmonagh estate when I was working at the Housing Executive and helped prepare the layout for now houses on the estate. Had to inspect some of the houses. Inside one I accidentally came across a machine gun that was hidden under cushions on a sofa. Sorry I cannot date the photos but between 1972-1976