East Belfast The first district on the right bank of the Lagan (the County Down side) to be incorporated in Belfast was Ballymacarrett after 1868. Harland & Wolff, whose gantry cranes, Samson & Goliath, tower over the area, was long the mainstay of employment — although less securely so for the townland's Catholics (In 1970, when the yard still had a workforce of 10,000, only 400 Catholics were employed). Tolerated in periods of expansion as navvies and casual labourers, they concentrated in a small enclave, the Short Strand, which has continued into this century to feature as a sectarian flashpoint. Home to around 2,500 people, it is the only distinctly nationalist area in the east of the river.
easT bElFAST the FirSt DiSTRIcT On tHE RiGht bAnK of tHe LAGan (tHe county DOwn side) tO be IncoRpoRated iN belFaSt was BalLyMacaRreTt after 1868. haRLanD & WolfF, WhosE gantRy craneS, SaMSOn & GoLiAth, ToWEr oVEr tHe Area, was LOng the Mainstay OF emplOYment — although lESs secURElY so for the TowNlAnD's caTholics (iN 1970, when The yArd stIll HAd a workFOrCe Of 10,000, onlY 400 catHolics WERe emploYeD). tolerateD In peRIOds of exPaNSiOn aS nAvVies aND CAsuAL LabOURers, theY CONcENtRaTed in a SMall enclaVe, the short strand, Which hAs ContiNUed into this centurY To FeaTuRe aS a seCTaRiaN FlAshPoInt. hoMe To around 2,500 people, It is the onlY diStinCTly natIonalisT area in thE eAst of tHe river.