Dromara
{{short description|Village in County Down, Northern Ireland}}
{{distinguish|Dromore, County Down}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
|official_name= Dromara
|irish_name= Droim mBearach
|scots_name=
|local_name=
|static_image_name=Parish Church of St. John the Evangelist Dromara - geograph.org.uk - 70815.jpg
|static_image_caption=St John's Church, Dromara
|map_type= Northern Ireland
|label_position= none
|coordinates = {{coord|54.379858|-6.017976|display=inline,title}}
|belfast_distance_mi= 20
| population = 1,006
| population_ref = (2011 census)
|irish_grid_reference= J287497
|unitary_northern_ireland= Lisburn and Castlereagh
|country= Northern Ireland
|historic_county=
|post_town= DROMORE
|postcode_area= BT
|postcode_district= BT25
|dial_code= 028
|constituency_westminster= Lagan Valley
|constituency_ni_assembly= Lagan Valley
|lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Down
|website=
|hide_services=yes
}}
Dromara ({{Irish derived place name|Droim mBearach|ridge of heifers}})[http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=11549 Placenames NI] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331201558/http://www.placenamesni.org/resultsdetail.phtml?entry=11549 |date=31 March 2012 }} is a village, townland (of 242 acres) and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies {{convert|10|km}} to the southwest of Ballynahinch on the northern slopes of Slieve Croob, with the River Lagan flowing through it. It is situated in Dromara (civil parish) and the historic barony of Iveagh Lower, Lower Half.{{cite web|title=Dromara|url=http://www.thecore.com/seanruad/|website=IreAtlas Townlands Database|access-date=19 May 2015}} In the 2011 census it had a population of 1,006 people.{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Dromara@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Dromara@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Dromara Settlement | publisher = Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) | access-date = 23 April 2021}}30px This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.
History
There have been references to a church at Dromara since about 1306. Earlier anglicised names for the church and townland include Drummeragh, Drumaragh and Drumara—these are likely derived from Druim mBearach (modern Irish Droim mBearach) meaning "ridge of heifers". Saint John's Church now occupies the site of the original church. Dromara eventually became a small mill village and although many of its buildings date from the early 19th century, the street pattern suggests that the settlement has a much earlier history. It used to have its own court and market house and a market place at the road junction in the middle of the village.
Facilities
Facilities in the village include Dromara Primary School, two churches (St John's Church of Ireland and Dromara Second Presbyterian Church).
Places of interest
- Legannany Dolmen, a prehistoric three legged 'giants grave' is just outside the village.
- Binder's Cove – a rediscovered souterrain near Finnis, Dromara. Finnis Souterrain (a scheduled ancient monument) is known locally as 'Binders Cove'. Although the first recorded discovery of Binder's Cove was in the 18th century, it actually dates back to the 9th century. Souterrains were "underground stone lined tunnels". Because there was much clann feuding and raiding from foreign invaders such as the Vikings in the Early Christian period, souterrains are thought to have been places of refuge for the occupants of the monastery or its attached enclosure. They may also have been 'safes' where valuable gold and silver religious artefacts were kept. As they were dark, cold and dry, food might also have been stored in them.
Sport
People
- Eileen Bell CBE, 2nd Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, MLA for North Down and former Alliance deputy leader, born in Dromara in 1943.{{Cite web |title=The Assembly – Speaker's CV |url=https://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/theassembly/speakers_cv3.htm |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=archive.niassembly.gov.uk}}
- Harry Ferguson, inventor of the modern gearbox and the 'Ferguson' Tractor, was born near Dromara.
- Hugh Hanna, nicknamed 'Roaring Hanna', Presbyterian minister, born in Dromara in 1821.{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/52699|last= Holmes |first=Finlay |date=2004 |title=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |chapter=Hannah, Hugh|isbn=019861411X}}
Demography
On census day (27 March 2011) there were 1,006 people living in Dromara. Of these:
- 25.45% were aged under 16 years and 12.03 were aged 65 and over
- 48.01% of the population were male and 51.99% were female
- 21.77% were from a Catholic background and 68.99% were from a Protestant and Other Christian background
- 4.45% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed
See also
References
External links
- [https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/historical-walk-through-dromore-p710911 Historical Walk Through Dromore]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311025533/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=7&to=141&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]
{{County Down}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Villages in County Down