Annsborough
Encyclopedia
Annsborough is a small village
in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It is situated on the A25 road between Downpatrick
and Newry
, approximately 0.8 kilometres to the east of Castlewellan
and 17 kilometres to the south west of Downpatrick. It had a population of 593 people in the 2001 Census
.
It originally developed as a mill village in the valley of the Clarkhill and Ballybannon rivers. Most people look beyond the village to neighbouring Castlewellan for the majority of their local services. The village contains a Post Office and shop and a playing field. Annsborough Primary School first opened in 1835, making it one of the oldest functional schools in the country. It officially became integrated in 1997, although after many years of unofficial integrated education. A variety of light industrial and commercial units provide small scale local employment within former textile mill buildings in the centre of the village. The village has a separate history and identity to Castlewellan and its distinctive character derives from its natural valley setting within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the well landscaped former mill complex in the centre of the village. In addition to a listed bridge, there are seven listed buildings within the village, a number of which are in need of restoration and repair.
, the band has had success within the last four years, including two World Championships (in 2004 and 2005).
(NISRA) (ie with population of less than 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 593 people living in Annsborough. Of these:
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It is situated on the A25 road between Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
and Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, approximately 0.8 kilometres to the east of Castlewellan
Castlewellan
Castlewellan is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Castlewellan Lake and Slievenaslat mountain, southwest of Downpatrick. It lies between the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob. It had a population of 2,392 people in the 2001 Census....
and 17 kilometres to the south west of Downpatrick. It had a population of 593 people in the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
.
It originally developed as a mill village in the valley of the Clarkhill and Ballybannon rivers. Most people look beyond the village to neighbouring Castlewellan for the majority of their local services. The village contains a Post Office and shop and a playing field. Annsborough Primary School first opened in 1835, making it one of the oldest functional schools in the country. It officially became integrated in 1997, although after many years of unofficial integrated education. A variety of light industrial and commercial units provide small scale local employment within former textile mill buildings in the centre of the village. The village has a separate history and identity to Castlewellan and its distinctive character derives from its natural valley setting within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the well landscaped former mill complex in the centre of the village. In addition to a listed bridge, there are seven listed buildings within the village, a number of which are in need of restoration and repair.
Culture
The village is the home of the Annsborough Pipe Band. Currently competing in Grade 3A of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band AssociationRoyal Scottish Pipe Band Association
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association was founded in 1930 as a governing body to oversee pipe band competition and to promote and encourage the development of pipe band culture throughout the world....
, the band has had success within the last four years, including two World Championships (in 2004 and 2005).
Demographics
Annsborough is classified as a small Village or hamlet by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research AgencyNorthern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency is an executive agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics related to the economy, population and society of Northern Ireland...
(NISRA) (ie with population of less than 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 593 people living in Annsborough. Of these:
- 29.4% were aged under 16 years and 13.6% were aged 60 and over
- 48.7% of the population were male and 51.3% were female
- 93.6% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 5.1% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background - 5.8% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed
See also
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- List of towns in Northern Ireland