Waringstown

Infobox UK place
official_name= Waringstown
irish_name=
scots_name=
local_name=
static_

static_image_caption=
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.43363494150725
longitude= -6.2990498542785645
belfast_distance= 23 miles
population= 2,523 (2001)
irish_grid_reference= J103552
unitary_northern_ireland= Craigavon Borough
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= CRAIGAVON
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT66
dial_code= 028, +44 28
constituency_westminster= Upper Bann
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Down
website=

Waringstown is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, situated two miles south-east of Lurgan. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 2,523 people. It lies within the Craigavon Borough Council area and the Upper Bann parliamentary constituency. Over the years, the village has been the recipient of numerous awards, including "Best Kept Small Town" for its floral displays and pleasant appearance. Waringstown is typical of small Ulster Plantation settlements.

History

The village is named after William Waring, who built Waring House in the centre of the village in 1667 [cite web | title= Waringstown | work=Craigavon Museum Service | url=http://www.craigavon.gov.uk/museum/townsbody2.htm | accessdate=2007-10-26] . It is a three storey gentleman's house and is the oldest unfortified mansion house in Ireland. A third storey facade was added in 1680. The weaving village of Waringstown developed under the auspices of William Waring and his descendants. Waring's son, Samuel, brought Flemish weavers to the village, building Huguenot style cottages for them, some of which survive today. In the past, the village was renowned for its handloom damask weaving. The industrial focus was at the southern end of the town, where brewing, linen-weaving, and cambric and clothing manufacture were formerly carried out and where some substantial 18th century and ­19th century industrial buildings still exist.competitions [cite web | title=Waringstown | work=Culture Northern Ireland | url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=7&to=176&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 | accessdate=2007-10-26] .

Cricket

The village has, over the years, been associated with the sport of cricket, something that has been attributed to the area's planters being predominantly from the north of England. The local team, Waringstown Cricket Club, have achieved some success in the Northern Cricket Union Premier League, playing their home matches at "The Lawn".The club was established in 1851, by a member of the Waring family, and their ground was donated by them also. The popularity of the sport in the village and its influence elsewhere has led to it being dubbed "The Home of Cricket in Ulster". [cite web | title=Waringstown Cricket Club - The First 150 Years | work=Michael Maultsaid/Waringstown Cricket Club | url=http://www.peterjane.plus.com/history.htm | accessdate=2008-07-26] . The neighbouring village of Donaghcloney has a similar heritage in the sport.

Education

*Waringstown Primary School

2001 Census

Waringstown is classified as an intermediate settlement by the [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)] (ie with a population between 2,250 and 4,500 people).On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 2,523 people living in Waringstown. Of these:
*26.8% were aged under 16 years and 14.6% were aged 60 and over
*49.0% of the population were male and 51.1% were female
*5.4% were from a Catholic background and 92.2% were from a Protestant background
*1.7% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed [cite web | title=Waringstown | work=NI Neighbourhood Information Service Towns and Villages | url=http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ | accessdate=2007-10-26]

References

*Craigavon Area Plan 2010
* [http://www.countydown.com/ County Down.com]

External links

* [http://www.waringstowncc.com/ Waringstown Cricket Club]
* [http://www.geocities.com/craigavonhs/rev/clendinningwaringstown.html Waringstown House]

See also

*List of villages in Northern Ireland
*List of towns in Northern Ireland