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Legend says St Patrick came up the Lagan but of course there are so many legends surrounding the man. There is no way of knowing if he did come to Moira, though some believe he founded a church in nearby Read More …
Discover the history of Moira, County Down
Legend says St Patrick came up the Lagan but of course there are so many legends surrounding the man. There is no way of knowing if he did come to Moira, though some believe he founded a church in nearby Read More …
Roads The beginning of the road network we have today is due to Sir George Rawdon. He was known as the “best Highwayman in Ireland.” All the roads he constructed in his district were described as “very good.” (Dobbs) New Read More …
Moira played its part in both World Wars. The War Memorial lists 9 residents of Moira Parish who fell in the service of King and Country in1914-18 and 5 who died in the 1939-45 conflict. During the last War, troops Read More …
Life was very difficult for the ordinary people of Moira. They could only survive if they worked very hard every day for long hours. The rich people in the Castle helped provide some employment and income for the villagers and Read More …
Moira today still has many buildings that give us a flavour of our village nearly 300 years ago. The earliest Moira building that still exists is Berwick Hall, the two storey “Planters” thatched house on the Hillsborough Road. This dates Read More …
Major George Rawdon, (1604-1684) came to the area in 1631 to manage the Estate of Viscount Conway at Killultagh. He built the Garrison for soldiers at Aghalee. We call the place Soldierstown. The garrison was close to the site Read More …
The north wind blew up Main Street in Moira. It was a cold Wednesday in March 1834. Trading was drawing to a close and most people were ready for home. Tethered horses whinnied softly as they waited impatiently to be Read More …
Extracts from a forthcoming History of Moira: We are fortunate to have several word pictures of the Castle grounds. One writer in 1774 is described as writing “with luxurious fancy upon the vegetable wealth, the horticultural beauty, the botanical attractions Read More …
An extract from the forthcoming book on the History of Moira: Waringfield House and Pretty Mary’s Fort As one travelled out of the village in the direction of Magheralin, there stood Waringfield House, another notable Georgian building. It was the Read More …
In 1651, Major de Burgh built a brick house at Moira. But soon after, George Rawdon became the new owner of the house and estate. His son Arthur Rawdon, (1662-1695) was born and grew up here. When he inherited the Read More …