The Borough - Past to Present circa 1975 +

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Introduction

The Borough of Lisburn is a much enlarged area since October 1973 when local government was re-organised. The present Borough includes the old Borough of Lisburn and a number of villages, including Moira, Dromara, Glenavy and Dunmurry (see map, centre pages). The Borough has a population of approximately 81,000 and is one of the fastest growing areas in Northern Ireland.

The old Lisburn Borough was an unincorporated Borough until 1885 and an Urban District from 1899 until 1964,when a Royal Charter of Incorporation was granted elevating Lisburn to Borough Status. On the 30th September 1973, the Borough of Lisburn as then constituted ceased to exist and a new Council was established, the members having been elected in May 1973, in accordance with the Provisions of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to administer the new enlarged Borough of Lisburn.

The area is a region of contrasts from the up-and-down drumlin country of Down and the hills around Dromara to the calm of the Lough Neagh shore at Sandy Bay with its potential for fishing, boating and bathing to the hustle and bustle of the urban area of the Lagan Valley. Beautiful views across Lough Neagh to the Sperrins can be seen from the countryside above Dundrod (Bohill) and Glenavy's Crew Hill, a place where the ancient kings of Eastern Ulster were crowned.

As a residential area Lisburn Borough is most conveniently situated being on the outskirts of Belfast and yet right in the middle of the Lagan Valley straddling the main routes North and South and to the centre of the province. The area is also adjacent to Aldergrove Airport, the main airport in Northern Ireland.

GENERAL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The land of Ulster, in common with other regions of the British Isles, has been occupied by man for many thousands of years, and the present landscape bears the stamp of that long occupancy. The natural scene of prehistoric times has been profoundly transformed, for the cultivated countryside and bare hills we see to-day have replaced a forested lake strewn land. From the time when, over forty centuries ago, simple farming skills began to be practised in Ireland, there has been continuous interaction between human groups and their environment, and not all the changes flowing from man's activities have been to his ultimate benefit.

Archaeology and legend tell of a succession of invasions during the last millennium B.C. which brought a Celtic culture and a Celtic tongue to the island. The Celticising process was not completed until early Christian times, but ultimately a Celtic hierarchy was established in all parts of the country. The gradual adoption of Iron cutting tools from about 300 B.C. onwards allowed new adjustments to be made between man and his environment. Cattle became the chief source of wealth, and the need to protect them from raiders including wolves helps to explain the earth or stone-ringed farmsteads (raths and cashels) which survive in their thousands among the cultivated fields of to-day. These constructions belonged to substantial farmers who claimed the rights to freedom and who were descended, it is thought, from one branch or another of the conquering Celts.

The struggle between Ulster and Elizabethan England, which ended with the Flight of the Earls in 1607, was a clash between two civilisations. The ancient culture of the Gael, with the clan providing the social base and farming providing the economic base was finally broken by superior force, by wholesale devastation, by the destruction of forests and the building of roads and fortresses to isolate and divide the various districts of the province. For all its archaisms, however, the Gaelic way of life, with its aristocratic traditions, its ancient laws and oral literature was far removed from the barbaric nomandism which contemporary English writers, and following them many later historians, have read into it.

There is a further aspect of the Ulster heritage which stems indirectly from the pastoral way of life of earlier times.

The Plantations of the early 17th century were necessarily concerned with the establishment of market towns, for the Gaelic order had not needed urban centres, and in 1600 AD the only settlements with any pretensions to urban status were the small post towns such as Carrickfergus and Ardglass which had been founded by the Angle-Normans. The new towns, although they remained small, acted as centres of administration and of urban influences as well as being market towns, enjoying regular fairs which took the place of the native gatherings which had been held regularly on some lonely hallowed fair green. The new towns helped the Ulster plantation to succeed and become the chief instruments through which a consciousness of the Angle-Scottish Protestant tradition was fostered.

The period of independence (1782-18001 was a time of prosperity, bath for landlords and for the rising urban populations. There was much expenditure on public works and roads. Market towns expanded and were in many cases re-planned and some new towns, typically with wide main streets, were established. It will generally be found that the oldest surviving houses and inns in the Ulster towns date from this period; the extreme rarity of any pre-Georgian secular buildings must strike the English visitor. Many country mansions and farm houses were built or reconstructed either just before or soon after 1800. The town of Lisburn and the villages of the Borough can be looked at with this background.

The Town of Lisburn

Lisburn was originally laid out by Sir Fulke Conway, from Wiles, in 1609, when it was called Lisnagarvey. Its revival after the great fire of 1707 was due chiefly to the Huguenots, and names of French origin are still fairly common in the district. It was a Lisburn linen. merchant, Henry Munro, who led the United Irish insurgents in County Down. In 1798 he was hanged in Market Square.

Lisburn is a busy industrial town on the River Lagan (which forms the S. boundary of County Antrim) 13 km. south of Belfast at the intersection of the M1 motorway with other main roads. The town, including the cathedral and the former castle, was almost completely destroyed by an accidental fire in 1707, so that modern Lisburn has few ancient structures.

There is an open-air market at Smithfield Square on Tuesday mornings, a golf course at Blaris on the south outskirts, a modern swimming pool at the centre of the town and good coarse fishing in the River Lagan, lakes and streams.

The centre of the town suffers from planning blight and substantial redevelopment is scheduled. The first section of a through-pass road is complete and the second phase now under construction will link Bridge Street with Seymour Street.

Perhaps the most interesting building, in the town, is Christ Church (C. of I.) almost concealed behind houses to the east of the Market Square. It is a characteristic example of 'Planters' Gothic, built originally in 1623 and reconstructed in 1708. The slim octagonal spire was added in 1804. The original church was given cathedral status by King Charles II in 1662, when he raised Rev. Jeremy Taylor to be Bishop of Down and Connor as a reward for his services in the Royalist cause. Bishop Taylor died in Lisburn in 1667 and was buried in Dromore Cathedral.

Conspicuous in the middle of the Market Square is a vigorous bronze statue of Gen. Nicholson (by F. W. Pomeroy, R. A.) with a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other as he led the attack on Delhi, where he was killed at the age of 35. Nicholson, born in Dublin, was brought up in Lisburn. Awe of him in India was so great that a sect came into being that thought him a god, 'Nikkul Weyn'.

The Assembly Rooms, in the square, have a domed clock and a handsome interior. A plaque in an external wall was rescued from the first house rebuilt after the great fire and dated 1708.

Castle Gardens, on a slope between the cathedral and the river, retain part of the gateway of the former castle.

Wallace Park is a well-wooded 25 acre recreation area on the north side of the town, with playing fields and an ornamental pond. It was presented to Lisburn by Sir Richard Wallace, who lived in a house in Castle Street, now forming part of the Technical College.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Linen under the industrious Huguenots made Lisburn and just as the man-made fibres have to a large extent taken over the role of linen, diversification into other industries is now taking place to ensure continuing employment for an expanding population. The Queen of textiles is, however, not dead, and linen still continues to be processed as thread at Hilden, as are the newer terylene and nylon products. Hilden has been producing linen thread, twines and cordages since the war with Napoleon.

Another of the newer industries in Lisburn is cabinet-making. All modern items of furniture are made both for the home market and for export. Many of the more recently established manufacturing plants are working mainly for export. Ball bearings are made almost entirely for export by a world-famous firm. A subsidiary plant of a large American firm manufactures tyre valves and accessories for sale in all corners of the Globe.

The economy of the old town of Lisburn was based on agriculture and to-day many of the industries are still based on the oldest industry of all. Near the town is one of the country's biggest plants for the manufacture of animal feeding stuffs and in the Borough area there are two farm by-product factories. Another factory exports eggs, and manufactures jam and cans all sorts of farm produce and fruit for home and overseas consumption. Other factories process poultry, hatch chickens and deal with all other types of farm produce and vegetables.

Employment is also provided by plants which manufacture tape recorders, wire ropes, clothing, pressure lamps and cookers and life saving equipment.

The development of industrial Lisburn still continues and many newer industries are likely to move to the new industrial estates adjacent to the town.

Progressive industrial development and an increasingly prosperous population demand the services of a highly organised system of retail distribution. Although many of the national multiple firms are represented 'in the area it is a significant feature of the local commercial scene that the majority of large business houses are family concerns with records of service to the public going back for two or more generations.

Industrial development demands basic technical skills and technical education has progressed to meet the needs of local industry. The textile, engineering, building and furniture industries depend on the excellent educational and training facilities provided in the area. The business fraternity of the town find expression in the local industrial scene through an active and progressive Chamber of Commerce.

Guide to further reading
Lisburn Cathedral and its Past Rectors, by Very Rev. W. P. Carmody.
The Lagan Valley (1800-1850), by E. E. R. Green.
A Concise History of Lisburn and Neighbourhood, published by T. H. Jordan, Belfast, 1906.

AGHALEE

Aghalee is a pretty little village lying in the centre of the low lying agricultural area that borders Lough Neagh. On the road from Lurgan toCrumlin it has grown somewhat in recent years and apart with its local agricultural connection is a dormitory village for Lurgan and Lisburn. The old Lagan Navigation Canal runs close to the village. Aghalee was the birthplace of Sir John Lavery the famous portrait painter.

Approval has been given in Aghalee for the construction of approximately 50 houses and about six of these have been built. The Housing Executive has permission to build 16 houses in the village.



BALLINDERRY & LOUGH NEAGH

Ballinderry has been referred to as Ulster's Garden of Eden. At Portmore there is the old ruin of the original site of the Church of St. Loo where Jeremy Taylor delivered his gentle exhortations which have been immortalized in his books "Holy Living" and "Holy Dying". The Middle Church was planned by Jeremy Taylor but he did not live to see it consecrated. Inside it breathes the spirit of the Spartan period of the middle 17th century with its three-decked pulpit and high backed pews.

The Moravian Church was founded in 1750 by English born John Cennick he was of Bohemian ancestry and a great preacher.

The whole Ballinderry area is most attractive and Lough Neagh adds to the attractions of the area. The Rev. George Hill wrote of the scene many years ago and of the thoughts of immigrants forced to leave the area:

 

Apart from being the largest fresh water lake in the British Isles Lough Neagh waters are supposed to have the power of petrifying wood. However, more important is the fish produced in the Lough. Pollan, which could be described as a fresh-water herring, is found in large numbers, as are other members of coarse fish such as pike, roach and perch. Eels are also plentiful.

The most important settlement, however, in the Ballinderry area was the area around Portmore Lough (or Lough Beg) where Lord Conway erected a castle in 1664. The stables, which were 140 ft. long and 35 ft. broad and 40 ft. high, afforded accommodation for two troops of horse. After the death of Conway Portmore was neglected, the castle and other buildings were removed in 1761 and the Deerpark, which had been stocked with deer and wildlife of all kinds, was given over to farming.

In Lower Ballinderry ten Housing Executive bungalows have just been completed and a controlled Primary School is under construction.

GLENAVY

Until the 17th century was called Lanaway - "Lamn-Allaich" ("The church of the Dwarf"). The dwarf was a priest who was installed by St. Patrick to look after the local parish. The village is on the Glenavy river which enters Lough Neagh opposite Ram's Island. Adjacent to Glenavy is Crew Hill (629 ft.) where the ancient kings of Ulidia or Eastern Ulster were crowned. Brian Boru and his Munstermen visited the site to exchange gifts with his Ulster counterparts.