Newtown, Cardiff facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newtown
Newtown Memorial Garden, Tyndall Street
Newtown Location in Cardiff
Country	Wales
City	Cardiff
Established	1840s

Newtown was a neighborhood in Cardiff, Wales. It was often called 'Little Ireland' because many Irish families lived there. This area had six streets and about 200 houses. It existed from the mid-1800s until 1970, when the houses were taken down. Newtown was one of Cardiff's "five towns," along with Butetown, Crockherbtown, Grangetown, and Temperance Town.

The Story of Newtown

How Newtown Began

In the early 1800s, areas like Newtown and Adamsdown were some of the first places where many houses were built outside Cardiff's old city walls. This was clear by the 1830s. After the Irish Potato Famine in 1845, hundreds of Irish families started coming to Cardiff. They often traveled as 'ballast' (extra weight) in ships from Cork and Waterford.

Many of these families found homes in Newtown. The Marquess of Bute had purposely expanded Newtown. He wanted to house the workers who were building Cardiff's new docks. In 1850, the South Wales Railway opened, which separated Adamsdown from Newtown. Newtown then had six streets: Ellen Street, North Williams Street, Pendoylan Street, Pendoylan Place, Roland Street, and Rosemary Street. These streets were just south of the railway and north of Tyndall Street. A footbridge allowed people to cross over the railway tracks.

Life in Little Ireland

Newtown became well-known as 'Little Ireland'. In 1848, an event caused tension in Newtown. A Welshman, Thomas Lewis, was killed by an Irishman, John Connors. Some local groups went to Newtown to find the person responsible. At Lewis's funeral, Irishmen had to stand guard to prevent further trouble.

By the 1930s, the living conditions in Newtown had become very poor. The houses were old and rundown.

What Happened to Newtown?

Eventually, in 1966, the houses in Newtown were bought by the city. This was done to prepare for new building projects in the old dock areas. In 1970, all the houses were taken down.

The land where Newtown once stood became a trading estate. This is an area with many businesses and factories. By 2010, this trading estate had also been demolished. The plan was to build new homes and offices there.

One of the very last original buildings from Newtown was The Vulcan pub. It was on Adam Street, which was originally called Whitmore Lane in Newtown. The pub was taken down in 2012. However, there are plans to rebuild it at St Fagans National History Museum, so its history can be preserved.

Famous People from Newtown

• 'Peerless' Jim Driscoll was a very famous Welsh boxer. He was born in Newtown in 1880.

Remembering Newtown

In 1999, the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation gave £10,000 to help create a special place to remember the Newtown community. This place is called the Newtown Memorial Garden. It was officially opened on March 20, 2005. The garden features a large stone sculpture with 'knotwork' designs, created by a local artist named David Mackie.