Saintfield
Encyclopedia
- See also: Saintfield, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada
Saintfield (historically called Tawnaghneeve) is a village
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...
, situated roughly halfway between 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 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...
on the A7 road
A7 road (Northern Ireland)
In Northern Ireland, the A7 is a major trunk road running some 16 miles from Downpatrick, through Crossgar and Saintfield, to Carryduff...
. It had a population of 2,959 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....
. The village proper is considered predominantly a middle or upper-middle class town and of both Catholic and Protestant tradition. A proliferation of large housing developments is found here, but it is most commonly known for its antique shops attesting to the town's affluence and higher-than-average GDP per household, compared to the surrounding areas. Saintfield's population is largely made up of commuters, working in both south and central 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...
, which is approximately eleven miles away. The population of the surrounding countryside is predominantly involved in agriculture.
Running east to west across the A7 is the B6 road, and to the west of this crossroads is Main Street, which takes one towards Lisburn
Lisburn
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 Ballynahinch, and to the east is Station Road which takes one towards Killyleagh
Killyleagh
Killyleagh is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the A22 road from Downpatrick, on the western side of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,483 people in the 2001 Census. It is best known for its 12th century Killyleagh Castle...
.
History
Saintfield was originally an early 17th century settlement, from which the parish church survives. The present town form of Saintfield dates back to the early 18th century and the establishment of linen manufacturing and other trades by the Price family. The village had a number of corn, flour and flax mills, the remains of which are visible today, and has retained a tradition of textile manufacture through Saintfield Yarns. The architectural and historic significance of the town centre is reflected in its designation as a Conservation AreaConservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
in 1997.
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
, which began in Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
and quickly spread to 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...
. The United Irishmen had been founded in 1791 by liberal Protestants 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...
. Its goal was to unite Catholics and Protestants and make Ireland an independent republic
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. Although its membership was mainly Catholic, many of its leaders and members in northeast Ulster were Protestant Presbyterians. On 9 June 1798, a British force was ambushed in a wood near Saintfield
Battle of Saintfield
The Battle of Saintfield was a short but bloody clash in County Down, in Northern Ireland. The battle was the first major conflict of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 in Down. The battle took took place on Saturday, 9 June 1798.-Background:...
. About 100 men were killed altogether, and the United Irishmen emerged victorious. The headstones of men who were killed in this battle can be seen near the river at the bottom of the 1st Presbyterian Church graveyard.
During "The Troubles
The 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...
", a great many people from south 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...
, Malone
Malone
Malone is a family name. From the Irish "Mael Eòin", the name means a servant or a disciple of Saint John.- People with the surname :* Gilla Críst Ua Máel Eóin, historian and Abbot of Clonmacnoise, died 1127...
and Stranmillis
Stranmillis
Stranmillis is an area in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is also an electoral ward for Belfast City Council, part of the Laganbank district electoral area. As part of the Queen's Quarter, it is the location for prominent attractions such as the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens and is popular...
left the city due to social unrest and re-settled in Saintfield and the surrounding areas. Many people from west 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...
also left the city, re-settling in the town of 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...
.
Places of interest
- The Rowallane GardenRowallane GardenRowallane Garden is a National Trust property located just outside the small town of Saintfield, County Down, Northern Ireland. Rowallane Garden is noted for its collection of azaleas and rhododendrons...
is situated just outside the village. The exotic gardens were started over 100 years ago, and are now in the care of the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural BeautyThe National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. - The old White Horse Inn also sits on the main street. Many of the buildings on the main street have old stables and courtyards behind them.
From Lewis Topographical Dictionary (1837):
The proprietor and lord of the manor, N. Price, Esq., improved the town in 1802, when he erected a large market-house and hotel, since which time Saintfield has been rapidly improving, and is now one of the most flourishing towns in the county.
- The Market House (now an Orange Hall) and the Hotel (now a private house) can be seen on Main Street.
- 1st Presbyterian Church on Main Street was built in 1777, but a community of Presbyterian Christians had been worshipping there since the 1600s. It is thus the earliest religious settlement in the town.
- The Assumption Youth Hall opposite the above church was initially the village's Roman Catholic church and was built at around the same time as the renovated Presbyterian Church in 1777. At the time of its consecration, it was known as the Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of MaryImmaculate Heart of MaryThe Immaculate Heart of Mary originally The Sacred Heart of Mary is a devotional name used to refer to the interior life of Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God, her maternal love for her Son, Jesus, and her compassionate love for...
. However, the Catholic Chapel was later moved down the road to a bigger site, where the Chapel of Mary, Mother of the Church was constructed in the 19th century. Today, the former Immaculate Heart Chapel is the Assumption Youth Hall, where local Gaelic cultural activities take place.
Demographics
Saintfield is classified as an intermediate settlement by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 2,250 and 4,500 people).On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 2,959 people living in Saintfield. Of these:
- 25.6% were aged under 16 years and 16.3% were aged 60 and over,
- 47.8% of the population were male and 52.2% were female,
- 23.8% 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 71.4% 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, - 1.9% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details on Saintfield's demographics see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
- In 1837 the population of Saintfield area was 7,154 of whom 1,053 lived in the town .
People
- Thomas Beattie MPThomas BeattieThomas Beattie was a Canadian politician.Born in Saintfield, County Down, Ireland, Beattie emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1848. A businessman, he was a Major with the 7th Fusiliers of London, Ontario and served during the North-West Rebellion...
, Member of the Canadian House of Commons, born in Saintfield - Lord FaulknerBrian FaulknerArthur Brian Deane Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick, PC was the sixth and last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland from March 1971 until his resignation in March 1972...
, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, died in a hunting accident near Saintfield - Francis HutchesonFrancis Hutcheson (philosopher)Francis Hutcheson was a philosopher born in Ireland to a family of Scottish Presbyterians who became one of the founding fathers of the Scottish Enlightenment....
, philosopher & teacher born at Drumalig - William David KennyWilliam David KennyWilliam David Kenny VC born Saintfield, County Down on 1 February 1899 was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, born in 1899 in Saintfield, was awarded the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for gallantry in IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1918. - Ewan McHenry, Folk singer-song writer, from Saintfield
- Bishop Daniel MageeanBishop Daniel MageeanBishop Daniel Mageean D.D. 6 May 1882 - 17 January 1962 was an Irish Roman Catholic Prelate and until 1962 he held the title Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.-Ministry:Daniel Mageean was born in the townland of Darragh Cross in the parish of Saintfield, Co...
, Bishop of Down & Connor, born at Darragh Cross - Rev. Coslett Herbert Waddell, Vicar of Saintfield, botanist
- Lynda BryansLynda BryansLynda Bryans is a television presenter and journalist from Northern Ireland. She is married to former broadcaster Mike Nesbitt.-Television:Bryans began her career in the media industry in 1981...
, Television Presenter, from Saintfield - Sir Jonathan McCully OBE MBE
Religion
Despite being a relatively small town, Saintfield is served by five well-attended churches: the local Church of Ireland, two Presbyterian churches, Saintfield Baptist Church and Mary, Mother of the Church Roman Catholic Church.Education
Saintfield contains two primary schools 'Saintfield Academy Primary' and 'St. Marys' and one secondary school 'Saintfield High School', with a large amount of its under-18 population travelling to schools in DownpatrickDownpatrick
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...
,
Ballynahinch or Malone
Malone
Malone is a family name. From the Irish "Mael Eòin", the name means a servant or a disciple of Saint John.- People with the surname :* Gilla Críst Ua Máel Eóin, historian and Abbot of Clonmacnoise, died 1127...
.
Primary
- Academy Primary School
- Ballycloughan Primary School (on the road to BallygowanBallygowanBallygowan is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Borough of Ards. The town of Comber is a short distance to the north-east, the town of Saintfield to the south, and the city of Belfast a further distance to the north-west. It had a population of 2,671 people...
) - Darragh Cross Primary School
- Millennium Integrated Primary School
- St. Mary's Primary School
Sport
- Saintfield AYC Football Club
- Saintfield Bowling Club
- Saintfield Cricket ClubSaintfield Cricket ClubSaintfield Cricket Club is a cricket club in Saintfield, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in Section 1 of the NCU Senior League....
- 2nd Saintfield Badminton Club
- Saintfield Hockey Club
- Saintfield United Football ClubSaintfield Utd F.C.Saintfield United Football Club is a Northern Irish football club based in Saintfield, County Down, Northern Ireland playing in Division 1A of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club started in the Newcastle & District League before joining the Amateur League junior section in 1986...
- Fishing at Carrickmannon Lake
Groups
- 1st Saintfield Scouts is based in Saintfield Parish hall with a great attendance. They celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2011 just 4years after the Scouts was founded.
Transport
Saintfield railway station opened on 10 September 1858 and finally closed on 16 January 1950.The current main mode of transport is from the end of the main street on the A21/A7 which a Translink service, Ulsterbus operates frequently to and from Belfast/Downpatrick.