I've seen the reference to Hugh Casey. Oh, how I have poured over those street directories and old maps!
The Griffiths Valuation of Ireland from 1862 lists Margaret Gribben living at Shield’s Entry, Shankill. The Belfast Street Directory of 1863 lists her living at ‘14 Shield’s Entry, off Carrick Hill’ and the 1865 directory records her at 14 Shield’s Court.
In 1861, ‘Sheal’s Entry’ contained ‘five small houses’ and a directory from 1843 records that Sheal’s Entry was at 43 Carrick Hill – the address given in John Edward Keith’s birth record.
There was a pub at 41 Carrick Hill.
I have newspaper references to a Margaret Gribben being involved in various brawls in this area. At the time, this part of Belfast is described as 'comprising mainly of two-up, two-down terraces. It was poverty-stricken and characterised by poor housing, over-crowding, high crime, domestic quarrels and violence, alcoholism and drunkenness, illegitimacy and infanticide. Brothels and bars populated the area.'
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