Waringsford

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

static_image_caption=
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.37445841687878
longitude= -6.110243797302246
belfast_distance= 21 miles
population= 129 (2001)
irish_grid_reference= J226489
unitary_northern_ireland= Banbridge District
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= DROMORE
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT25
dial_code= 028, +44 28
constituency_westminster= Lagan Valley
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Down
website=

Waringsford is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland, 6km south east of Dromore. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 129 people. It lies within the Banbridge District Council area. The village, despite the lack of services, has seen substantial property development in the last five years, helped by its rural setting, relative tranquility and close proximity to the A1.

History

The weaving village of Waringstown took its name from the Waring family who came to the place in 1659 and also gave their name to Waringsford village further east.

People

In the Irish Rebellion of 1798 it is said that Betsy Gray, mounted on a white horse, dressed in green and brandishing her sword, led the Hearts of Down in a ferocious and, for a time, victorious charge on the King’s forces at Ballynahinch. After battle she fled and was killed. Some writers put her birthplace as near Newtownards, but there is another tradition, in the area around Dromara, that she was born in Tullinisky, in a house which still stands on the outskirts of Waringsford village.

References

* [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Neighbourhood Information System]
* [http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/betsygray.asp Ulster Scots Agency - Betsy Gray]
* [http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/place_and_people_names_2.htm Ulster Place Names]

See also

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