Waringstown

Waringstown () is a large village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies southeast of Lurgan and north of Banbridge, within the parish of Donaghcloney, and the barony of Iveagh Lower, Lower Half. In the 2021 census it had a population of 3,787 people. Over the years, the village has been bestowed numerous awards, including "Best Kept Small Town" for its floral displays and pleasant appearance.

==History== The area of Waringstown was formerly part of the district of Clanconnell, which was within the Gaelic territory of Iveagh. After the Irish Confederate Wars, in which the sons of Glasney McAgholy Magennis of Clanconnell took part, their lands were confiscated by the English and shared among the Cromwellian soldiers in lieu of pay. By 1659, the area had been sold to Englishman William Waring, who built a fortified house on the site of an old fort. 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.