Moira, County Down
Encyclopedia
Moira is a village in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It is in the northwest of the county, near the borders with counties Antrim
and Armagh
. The M1 motorway
and Dublin–Belfast railway line are nearby. The settlement has existed since time immemorial
. In a 2008 estimate the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
approximated the population of Moira to be 4,221.
of Moira is somewhat uncertain. It seems to be an anglicisation
of the Irish Maigh Rath, which may mean either 'plain of the wheels' or 'plain of the ringforts'. Another Irish form of the name is Mag Rath. The change most probably occurred during or before the Plantation of Ulster
. Regardless Moira has now evolved to become both the official name and the one in everyday use.
The existence of these primitive defences, coupled with the good-view afforded from the top of Moira hill, made the settlement strategically valuable. Proximity to Lough Neagh
enhanced this value. Accordingly during the repeated power struggles of the first millennium the area was often fought over, and eventually witnessed the largest battle in the history of Ireland when three tribal kings contested the area to determine supremacy in Ulster
and beyond. This was the Battle of Moira
. Its impact on Moira is still felt; two townlands still bear battle names, Aughnafosker (meaning field of slaughter) and Carnalbanagh (meaning the Scotsman's grave). After the battle a Bishop by the name of Ronan Finn (who was later canonized
) was alleged to have created a monastery in the area.
The medieval period itself remains shrouded in mystery. It is known that the town and its hinterland were under the control of the O'Lavery Clan for a considerable period. They were Catholic families who held sway in large parts of Armagh. Indeed prior to the Nine Years War Ulster was the most gaelic
part of Ireland. There were few towns, few roads and much of the country was thickly wooded. However the subjugation of Ulster by the victorious armies of Elizabeth I greatly reduced the clout of gaelic hierarchs, the O'Laverys included. But it was their participation in the Irish Rebellion of 1641
doomed their dominance. The English authorities crushed the rebellion and confiscated vast amounts of rebel property, in Moira as in the rest of Ireland. As a direct result of this the Protestant
plantations of Ulster (which began in 1606) were accelerated, and helped transform Moira into a primarily Protestant settlement, a situation which has never been reversed.
, settled in Moira. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641
he and 200 English soldiers helped destroy the army of Sir Phelim O'Neill (which had earlier massacred thousands of Protestant settlers), and re-secure Moira and its environs for the Crown
. In 1651 an officer by the name of Major de Burgh purchased a small estate and built a brick house in Moira. This house, the forerunner of Moira Castle, was subsequently purchased by Rawdon. Following his actions in putting down rebellion Rawdon subsequently purchased vast amounts of land in the area (most probably financed by confiscations from the dead or subjugated Catholic rebels), and was said to have developed it greatly. In 1665 he was created a baronet
by Charles II
. At some point in his life he became a Member of Parliament
. Somewhat unfortunately he was nicknamed the 'Great Highwayman' for his development of roads infrastructure in and around Moira. Sir George Rawdon died in 1983, and was succeeded in his title by his son Sir Arthur Rawdon.
during the Jacobite War in Ireland. He was quickly besieged in Derry
, but managed to escape. After the war, with the Protestant Ascendancy
of which he was a part yet again restored, Sir Arthur (who had presumably profited greatly from the war) returned to Moira. Having inherited the brick mahor house his father had purchased he decided to expand it greatly, and it became one of the largest residences in the whole island, to be called Moira Castle. The castle, which in fact was a mansion, was also accompanied by vast gardens. These gardens became world famous. In 1690 Sir Arthur utilised his friendship with fellow Downshire-born botanist Sir Hans Sloane, and acquired from him the seeds of 400 exotic plants, and instructions in how to grow them. To fit his ends Sir Arthur also constructed in Moira the first hothouse
in Europe.
The subsequent baronets maintained the gardens (though the hothouse did not survive) for generations. In 1723 Sir John Rawdon, 3rd Baronet helped fund the construction of the Anglican Moira Parish Church, dedicated to St. John.
by King George II
as the Baron Rawdon of Moira. He subsequently flirted with Methodism
, and invited John Wesley
to speak at Moira Church. This caused a major religious rift in the town. And though Wesley did speak, he did so from the grounds of Moira Castle, not the church for which the Rawdons had largely paid. He was also granted a higher title in 1762 by King George III, when he was made Earl of Moira.
In addition to flirting with Methodism Lord Rawdon also flirted with Irish self government (albeit under the Ascendancy), opposing the efforts of William Pitt
to forge closer links with Great Britain
in the first decade of his Ministry
. His death in 1793 was significant in Moira history, in that it marked the largest funeral in the history of Ireland, a testament to his extensive political connections. Over four hundred carriages were in procession. This Lord Rawdon is buried in the family crypt in the church.
Upon his death his son Francis Rawdon-Hastings became the Earl of Moira. A respected general and politician with significant clout in London, his time as head of the family was nevertheless negative for the town of Moira, which had risen greatly in prestige as a result of his predecessors. He neglected the once world-famous gardens in the Moira estate, which subsequently declined into decay. He also spent the vast majority of his time in England.
, subordinating the Moira title.
Lord Hastings would be the last member of the Rawdon family to reside in Moira Castle (which he had always used as a secondary residence in any case). In 1805 he sold it to Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet
, who also did not use it as a primary residence. The status of Moira thus declined considerably. The Rawdons' legacy would linger, however, with several streets and housing developments bearing their name centuries later.
Fortunately for the denizens of Moira the Acts of Union had reduced the power of the Ascendency, and Moira was now directly governed by London
instead of Dublin. In addition the Great Reform Act had reduced the ability of landowners in general and lords in particular to control Moira.
Moira itself continued to develop during this period. A canal was built to the north (which became the boundary between Counties Antrim and Down), and a Market Hall completed at the expense of the Bateson family in about 1810. It was considered to have market the completion of the village. In 1841 Moira railway station
was completed, and is now the oldest such structure on the island of Ireland. Moira Castle itself was vacated by the Batesons, and was demolished during the Victorian Era
. A few gate stumps remain, as does some stepping for the famous gardens, and the dug-out cellar.
During the Second World War the grounds of Moira Demesne (as the Castle had become known) were used by the army as a medical centre.
. On February 20, 1998 a 500 lb car bomb
exploded outside the police station, injuring 11 people. The bomb was intended to kill police officers due to do a shift change. It is believed the bombing was the work of a dissident republican organisation, the Real IRA. The blast was so loud that it could be heard fully twenty miles away in Belfast
. The bomb caused extensive damage, resulting in the police station and several nearby buildings having to be rebuilt. The bombing also threatened to derail the peace process
at the time.
, and is therefore subject to the local government authority of Lisburn City Council. Both the overall council and the electoral area (Killultagh) for Moira are dominated by unionist
parties. During the 2011 council elections the members elected for Killultagh were, in order of preference, as follows:
At a national level Moira is part of the Lagan Valley
constituency, represented by DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson
. At a provincial level the identically named and districted Lagan Valley
includes Moira. This multi-member constituency is also dominated by unionists.
The population of Moira on Census day (29 April 2001) was 3682 people. The demographic characteristics of the people living in Moira were as follows:
On Census Day 2001 there were 1372 households in Moira. Statistics relating to Moira households include:
, which is a stop along the Newry
to Bangor
line. It is also located conveniently close to the M1 motorway
, with Moira Roundabout serving as a major junction. The proximity of Moira to both Belfast
and Lisburn has meant that it has become something of a dormitory town in recent decades. Unfortunately Moira is also situation directly along the main road to Lurgan
, which creates considerable traffic jams, particularly during rush hour. The 51 bus service runs from Portadown to Belfast regularly, with several stops in the town.
Moira is located approximately twenty miles from Belfast International Airport
.
, serves as the main point of education for the first two key stages. Moira has no secondary education, with most children commuting into Lurgan
, Lisburn or Belfast to attend schools such as Friends', Wallace
, RBAI
, Hunterhouse
or Lurgan Junior High School
. The town also has a small library positioned behind the school.
affairs, several places in the world are named after Moira, County Down, usually via the noble title. These include;
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 in the northwest of the county, near the borders with counties Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
. The M1 motorway
M1 motorway (Northern Ireland)
The M1 is a motorway in Northern Ireland. It is the longest motorway in Northern Ireland and runs for from Belfast to Dungannon through County Down and County Armagh...
and Dublin–Belfast railway line are nearby. The settlement has existed since time immemorial
Time immemorial
Time immemorial is a phrase meaning time extending beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition, indefinitely ancient, "ancient beyond memory or record"...
. In a 2008 estimate the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
Northern 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...
approximated the population of Moira to be 4,221.
Toponymy
The etymologyEtymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
of Moira is somewhat uncertain. It seems to be an anglicisation
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
of the Irish Maigh Rath, which may mean either 'plain of the wheels' or 'plain of the ringforts'. Another Irish form of the name is Mag Rath. The change most probably occurred during or before the Plantation of Ulster
Plantation of Ulster
The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation of Ulster—a province of Ireland—by people from Great Britain. Private plantation by wealthy landowners began in 1606, while official plantation controlled by King James I of England and VI of Scotland began in 1609...
. Regardless Moira has now evolved to become both the official name and the one in everyday use.
Prehistory to Early Modern Period
Moira has been a settlement for at least 1,500 years. For the period it consisted most probably only of small dwellings surrounded by several earthen ringforts. Evidence of three such forts still remain. The best known of these is the so called "Rough Fort", situated on the Old Kilmore Road. However the remains of "Pretty Mary's Fort" exist behind the Waringfield residential area. Finally evidence of a third ringfort can be found near Claremont.The existence of these primitive defences, coupled with the good-view afforded from the top of Moira hill, made the settlement strategically valuable. Proximity to Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
enhanced this value. Accordingly during the repeated power struggles of the first millennium the area was often fought over, and eventually witnessed the largest battle in the history of Ireland when three tribal kings contested the area to determine supremacy in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
and beyond. This was the Battle of Moira
Battle of Moira
The Battle of Moira, known archaically as the Battle of Mag Rath, was fought in the summer of 637 by the Gaelic High King of Ireland Domnall II against his foster son King Congal of Ulster, supported by his ally Domnall the Freckled of Dalriada.The battle was fought near the Woods of Killultagh,...
. Its impact on Moira is still felt; two townlands still bear battle names, Aughnafosker (meaning field of slaughter) and Carnalbanagh (meaning the Scotsman's grave). After the battle a Bishop by the name of Ronan Finn (who was later canonized
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
) was alleged to have created a monastery in the area.
The medieval period itself remains shrouded in mystery. It is known that the town and its hinterland were under the control of the O'Lavery Clan for a considerable period. They were Catholic families who held sway in large parts of Armagh. Indeed prior to the Nine Years War Ulster was the most gaelic
Gaels
The Gaels or Goidels are speakers of one of the Goidelic Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Goidelic speech originated in Ireland and subsequently spread to western and northern Scotland and the Isle of Man....
part of Ireland. There were few towns, few roads and much of the country was thickly wooded. However the subjugation of Ulster by the victorious armies of Elizabeth I greatly reduced the clout of gaelic hierarchs, the O'Laverys included. But it was their participation in the Irish Rebellion of 1641
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
doomed their dominance. The English authorities crushed the rebellion and confiscated vast amounts of rebel property, in Moira as in the rest of Ireland. As a direct result of this the Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism 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...
plantations of Ulster (which began in 1606) were accelerated, and helped transform Moira into a primarily Protestant settlement, a situation which has never been reversed.
The Arrival of the Rawdon Family
In 1631 Major George Rawdon, a wealthy man from the village of Rawdon in YorkshireYorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, settled in Moira. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
he and 200 English soldiers helped destroy the army of Sir Phelim O'Neill (which had earlier massacred thousands of Protestant settlers), and re-secure Moira and its environs for the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
. In 1651 an officer by the name of Major de Burgh purchased a small estate and built a brick house in Moira. This house, the forerunner of Moira Castle, was subsequently purchased by Rawdon. Following his actions in putting down rebellion Rawdon subsequently purchased vast amounts of land in the area (most probably financed by confiscations from the dead or subjugated Catholic rebels), and was said to have developed it greatly. In 1665 he was created a baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
by Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
. At some point in his life he became a Member of Parliament
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
. Somewhat unfortunately he was nicknamed the 'Great Highwayman' for his development of roads infrastructure in and around Moira. Sir George Rawdon died in 1983, and was succeeded in his title by his son Sir Arthur Rawdon.
Later Rawdon Baronets
Sir Arthur (who would also become an Irish MP) became a General in the armies of King William IIIWilliam III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
during the Jacobite War in Ireland. He was quickly besieged in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, but managed to escape. After the war, with the Protestant Ascendancy
Protestant Ascendancy
The Protestant Ascendancy, usually known in Ireland simply as the Ascendancy, is a phrase used when referring to the political, economic, and social domination of Ireland by a minority of great landowners, Protestant clergy, and professionals, all members of the Established Church during the 17th...
of which he was a part yet again restored, Sir Arthur (who had presumably profited greatly from the war) returned to Moira. Having inherited the brick mahor house his father had purchased he decided to expand it greatly, and it became one of the largest residences in the whole island, to be called Moira Castle. The castle, which in fact was a mansion, was also accompanied by vast gardens. These gardens became world famous. In 1690 Sir Arthur utilised his friendship with fellow Downshire-born botanist Sir Hans Sloane, and acquired from him the seeds of 400 exotic plants, and instructions in how to grow them. To fit his ends Sir Arthur also constructed in Moira the first hothouse
Hothouse
Hothouse or Hot House or Hot house may refer to:* A heated greenhouse* "Hot House" , a jazz standard* Hot House , a 1995 album by musician Bruce Hornsby* Hot House...
in Europe.
The subsequent baronets maintained the gardens (though the hothouse did not survive) for generations. In 1723 Sir John Rawdon, 3rd Baronet helped fund the construction of the Anglican Moira Parish Church, dedicated to St. John.
The Lords Rawdon
In 1750 Sir John Rawdon, 4th Baronet was raised to the peeragePeerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
by King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
as the Baron Rawdon of Moira. He subsequently flirted with Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, and invited John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
to speak at Moira Church. This caused a major religious rift in the town. And though Wesley did speak, he did so from the grounds of Moira Castle, not the church for which the Rawdons had largely paid. He was also granted a higher title in 1762 by King George III, when he was made Earl of Moira.
In addition to flirting with Methodism Lord Rawdon also flirted with Irish self government (albeit under the Ascendancy), opposing the efforts of William Pitt
William Pitt
William Pitt is most likely to refer to:* William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , Prime Minister of Great Britain 1766–1768; often known as William Pitt the Elder...
to forge closer links with Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
in the first decade of his Ministry
First Pitt the Younger Ministry
-The initial ministry:For the first several days of the ministry, Lord Temple held both the secretaryships of state.-Changes:*March, 1784 - The Duke of Rutland becomes Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, remaining also Lord Privy Seal....
. His death in 1793 was significant in Moira history, in that it marked the largest funeral in the history of Ireland, a testament to his extensive political connections. Over four hundred carriages were in procession. This Lord Rawdon is buried in the family crypt in the church.
Upon his death his son Francis Rawdon-Hastings became the Earl of Moira. A respected general and politician with significant clout in London, his time as head of the family was nevertheless negative for the town of Moira, which had risen greatly in prestige as a result of his predecessors. He neglected the once world-famous gardens in the Moira estate, which subsequently declined into decay. He also spent the vast majority of his time in England.
Moira 1800-Present
The 2nd Earl was raised to a yet-higher rank of the peerage in 1816, when he was created Marquess of HastingsMarquess of Hastings
Marquess of Hastings was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 6 December 1816 for Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Earl of Moira. The Rawdon family descended from Francis Rawdon , of Rawdon, Yorkshire. His son George Rawdon settled in the village of Moira in Downshire, and...
, subordinating the Moira title.
Lord Hastings would be the last member of the Rawdon family to reside in Moira Castle (which he had always used as a secondary residence in any case). In 1805 he sold it to Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet
Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet
Sir Robert Bateson, 1st Baronet DL was an Irish baronet, landowner and Conservative politician.He was the only son of Thomas Bateson and his wife Elizabeth, youngest daughter of George Lloyd....
, who also did not use it as a primary residence. The status of Moira thus declined considerably. The Rawdons' legacy would linger, however, with several streets and housing developments bearing their name centuries later.
Fortunately for the denizens of Moira the Acts of Union had reduced the power of the Ascendency, and Moira was now directly governed by London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
instead of Dublin. In addition the Great Reform Act had reduced the ability of landowners in general and lords in particular to control Moira.
Moira itself continued to develop during this period. A canal was built to the north (which became the boundary between Counties Antrim and Down), and a Market Hall completed at the expense of the Bateson family in about 1810. It was considered to have market the completion of the village. In 1841 Moira railway station
Moira railway station
Moira railway station serves Moira in County Down, Northern Ireland. Despite the station serving the County Down town, the station itself is located in County Antrim, the neighbouring Lagan Canal being the boundary. Moira station is the oldest building on the NIR network today having been opened on...
was completed, and is now the oldest such structure on the island of Ireland. Moira Castle itself was vacated by the Batesons, and was demolished during the Victorian Era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. A few gate stumps remain, as does some stepping for the famous gardens, and the dug-out cellar.
During the Second World War the grounds of Moira Demesne (as the Castle had become known) were used by the army as a medical centre.
1998 Bombing
Moira remained relatively uneventful for most of the 20th century, but did not escape The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. On February 20, 1998 a 500 lb car bomb
Car bomb
A car bomb, or truck bomb also known as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device , is an improvised explosive device placed in a car or other vehicle and then detonated. It is commonly used as a weapon of assassination, terrorism, or guerrilla warfare, to kill the occupants of the vehicle,...
exploded outside the police station, injuring 11 people. The bomb was intended to kill police officers due to do a shift change. It is believed the bombing was the work of a dissident republican organisation, the Real IRA. The blast was so loud that it could be heard fully twenty miles away in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. The bomb caused extensive damage, resulting in the police station and several nearby buildings having to be rebuilt. The bombing also threatened to derail the peace process
Northern Ireland peace process
The peace process, when discussing the history of Northern Ireland, is often considered to cover the events leading up to the 1994 Provisional Irish Republican Army ceasefire, the end of most of the violence of the Troubles, the Belfast Agreement, and subsequent political developments.-Towards a...
at the time.
Government and Politics
Moira is at the very edge of the boundaries of the City of LisburnLisburn
DemographicsLisburn Urban Area is within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and is classified as a Large Town by the . On census day there were 71,465 people living in Lisburn...
, and is therefore subject to the local government authority of Lisburn City Council. Both the overall council and the electoral area (Killultagh) for Moira are dominated by unionist
Unionism in Ireland
Unionism in Ireland is an ideology that favours the continuation of some form of political union between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain...
parties. During the 2011 council elections the members elected for Killultagh were, in order of preference, as follows:
- Thomas Beckett - Democratic Unionist PartyDemocratic Unionist PartyThe Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
- Jim Tinsley - Democratic Unionist Party
- Pat Catney - Social Democratic and Labour PartySocial Democratic and Labour PartyThe Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
- Jim Dillon - Ulster Unionist PartyUlster Unionist PartyThe Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
- John Palmer - Democratic Unionist Party
At a national level Moira is part of the Lagan Valley
Lagan Valley (UK Parliament constituency)
Lagan Valley is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.- Boundaries :The seat was created in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from parts of South Antrim and North Down. In their original...
constituency, represented by DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson
Jeffrey Donaldson
Jeffrey Mark Donaldson, MP is a Northern Irish politician and Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley belonging to the Democratic Unionist Party...
. At a provincial level the identically named and districted Lagan Valley
Lagan Valley (Assembly constituency)
Lagan Valley is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996. Since 1998, it has elected members to the current Assembly....
includes Moira. This multi-member constituency is also dominated by unionists.
Demography of Moira
Moira is classified as an intermediate settlement by NISRA (i.e. with population between 2,250 and 4,500 people).| Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 853 | - |
| 1981 | 1,453 | 40.7% |
| 1991 | 2,772 | 47.6% |
| 2001 | 3,669 | 24.4% |
| 2008 | 4,221 | 13.1% |
The population of Moira on Census day (29 April 2001) was 3682 people. The demographic characteristics of the people living in Moira were as follows:
- 24.3% were aged under 16 years;
- 13.8% were aged 60 and over;
- the average age was 34.8 years (NI average age 35.8 years);
- 48.8% of the population were male and 51.2% were female;
- 13.0% were from a Catholic Community Background;
- 82.6% were from a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' Community Background;
- 9.4% were born outside Northern Ireland; and
- 0.9% were from an ethnic group other than white.
On Census Day 2001 there were 1372 households in Moira. Statistics relating to Moira households include:
- average household size was 2.63 persons per household (NI level 2.65 persons per household);
- 73.7% of households were one family households;
- 4.6% were lone-parent households with dependent children.
Transport
Moira is well located in terms of infrastructure. It is served by Moira railway stationMoira railway station
Moira railway station serves Moira in County Down, Northern Ireland. Despite the station serving the County Down town, the station itself is located in County Antrim, the neighbouring Lagan Canal being the boundary. Moira station is the oldest building on the NIR network today having been opened on...
, which is a stop along the 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...
to Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
line. It is also located conveniently close to the M1 motorway
M1 motorway (Northern Ireland)
The M1 is a motorway in Northern Ireland. It is the longest motorway in Northern Ireland and runs for from Belfast to Dungannon through County Down and County Armagh...
, with Moira Roundabout serving as a major junction. The proximity of Moira to both Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and Lisburn has meant that it has become something of a dormitory town in recent decades. Unfortunately Moira is also situation directly along the main road to Lurgan
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
, which creates considerable traffic jams, particularly during rush hour. The 51 bus service runs from Portadown to Belfast regularly, with several stops in the town.
Moira is located approximately twenty miles from Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is a major airport located northwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was formerly known and is still referred to as Aldergrove Airport, after the village of the same name lying immediately to the west of the airport. Belfast International shares its runways with...
.
Commerce
The village primarily exists as a commuter town, however, such jobs as there are tend to be in the services sector, with much replication. Moira is also famed for McCartney's of Moira, a 140 year old family butchers. The firm has repeatedly won national awards for food, including the Northern Irish and National Sausage Competition. In 2011 they also became Great Taste Awards 2011 Supreme Champion, among other accolades.Education
Moira Primary School, reopened by The Princess RoyalAnne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, serves as the main point of education for the first two key stages. Moira has no secondary education, with most children commuting into Lurgan
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
, Lisburn or Belfast to attend schools such as Friends', Wallace
Wallace High School
Wallace is a name for several high schools in the English-speaking world, including:*Wallace High School , Wallace, Idaho*Wallace High School , Wallace, Nebraska*Wallace High School *Wallace High School, Stirling...
, RBAI
Royal Belfast Academical Institution
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, is a Grammar School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Locally referred to as Inst, the school educates boys from ages 11–18...
, Hunterhouse
Hunterhouse College
Hunterhouse College is a cross community all girls grammar school based in Finaghy, Belfast, Northern Ireland.It was formed from the amalgamation of two local schools – Ashleigh House School and Princess Gardens School....
or Lurgan Junior High School
Lurgan Junior High School
Lurgan Junior High School is a school situated in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It caters to around 700 pupils aged 11 to 14....
. The town also has a small library positioned behind the school.
Sport
Moira plays host to Moira Albion, an amateur football club who host two teams, and play in the Mid Ulster League, Division Two.Namesakes
Due to the prevalence of the Rawdon family in British ImperialBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
affairs, several places in the world are named after Moira, County Down, usually via the noble title. These include;
- MoiraMoira, LeicestershireMoira is a former mining village about west of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in North West Leicestershire, England. The village is about miles south of the Derbyshire town of Swadlincote and is close to the county boundary....
, LeicestershireLeicestershireLeicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, a former mining village largely built by the Rawdons. - Moira, OntarioMoira, OntarioMoira, Ontario is an unincorporated area in the municipality of Centre Hastings, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. Moira is also the name of a signpost on the Canadian National Railway main line which passes through Hastings County, although it is not a passenger stop.Moira is not a valid locality...
, an area in Canada. - The Moira RiverMoira RiverThe Moira River is a river in Hastings County in eastern Ontario, Canada. It travels from its source in the centre of the county to the county seat Belleville and is named after Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Earl of Moira.-Course:...
, and by extension the Moira LakeMoira LakeMoira Lake is a lake in Hastings County in Ontario, Canada. Located on Highway 62 south of Madoc and Highway 7, it is a recreational lake with cottage development along much of the shoreline. The lake is fed by the Moira River. There is a boat launch and a trail that runs past the lake following an...
, also in OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada.
List of Persons from Moira
- Sir Robert Bateson
- Thomas Bateson, 1st Baron DeramoreThomas Bateson, 1st Baron DeramoreThomas Bateson, 1st Baron Deramore , known as Sir Thomas Bateson, 2nd Bt from 1863 until 1885, was a British peer and Conservative Party politician.-Biography:...
- Sir Arthur Rawdon
- Sir George Rawdon
- Sir John Rawdon
- John Rawdon, 1st Earl of Moira
- Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings
- William Butler Yeats, grandfather to the poet WB YeatsWilliam Butler YeatsWilliam Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms...
See also
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- Market Houses in Northern IrelandMarket Houses in Northern IrelandMarket houses are a notable feature of many Northern Ireland towns with varying styles of architecture, size and ornamentation making for a most interesting feature of the streetscape. Originally there were three, four or even five bays on the ground floor which were an open arcade. An upper...