Newtownards

History

Irish settlement

In 540 AD, St. Finian founded Movilla Abbey, a monastery, on a hill overlooking Strangford Lough about a mile northeast of present-day Newtownards town centre. "Movilla" (Magh Bhile) means "the plain of the sacred tree" in Irish, which suggests that the land had previously been a sacred pagan site. It became a significant Christian settlement – a centre for worship, study, mission and commercial trade, well known throughout Ireland. It was sacked by the Vikings sometime after AD 824, though survived for a thousand years as a monastic settlement (becoming part of the Augustinian Order in 1135), until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1542.

The Normans conquered east Ulster in the 1170s, founding the Earldom of Ulster. Around 1226, they established a new town around Movilla, which became known as the "New Town of Blathewic", after the Irish territory of Uí Blathmhaic. A Dominican priory was built in 1244 by Walter de Burgh and was also dissolved in 1542.

In 1572, both monasteries were burned by the Clannaboy O'Neills under Sir Brian McPhelim O'Neill to deny buildings to the English, who were attempting to colonize the Ards. After this the urban settlement at Movilla disappeared and the area around it became known as "Ballylisnevin" ("the town of Nevin's fort").

The Scottish town

In 1605 (prior to the official Plantation of Ulster in 1610), Hugh Montgomery was granted the lands and set about rebuilding what was by then known as Newtown, later expanded to Newtownards. Official records show the town was established in 1606. Montgomery built a residence in the ruins of the old priory, the tower of which remains. Scottish Protestant settlers, particularly from Ayr, and to a lesser extent Irvine, in Ayrshire, arrived in large numbers and the town grew quickly.

Due to the shallow mud of Strangford Lough, Newtown never developed as a port, with goods instead transported from the nearby town of Donaghadee on the Irish Sea coast of the Ards Peninsula. Instead, it became a market town, with the Market House in Conway Square constructed in 1771.

United Irishmen rebellion

North Down and the Ards were briefly held by United Irish insurgents in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. On the morning of 9 June, "Pike Sunday", United Irishmen, mainly from Bangor, Donaghadee, Greyabbey and Ballywalter, under the command of the Presbyterian licentiate (later American diplomat) David Bailie Warden, marched on the town. They were driven off with musket fire from the Market House, but the garrison, consisting of troops from the York Fencible Regiment of Foot subsequently withdrew, allowing the rebels to establish a French revolutionary-style Committee of Public Safety. The "Republic" in Newtownards did not survive the rout two days later of the main rebel force at Ballynahinch.

The Great Famine

During the Great Famine, which resulted from the dependence of small tenants and cottiers on a blighted potato crop, the largest local landowner, Lord Londonderry, rejected rent reductions on grounds of "personal inconvenience". By 1847 the 800 inhabitants of the town were witness to "emaciated and half-famished souls" queuing at soup kitchens and overflowing the newly built workhouse. Despite Lord Londonderry's objection, with the upgrading of the road to Donaghadee several public works programs for famine relief were instigated. In general, conditions on the land, not as acutely subdivided as in western districts of Ireland, and the availability of weaving and other employments, saved the town from the worst.

Victorian growth

The early 19th century saw the reclamation of the marshlands south of the town. At the same time, its growth was accelerated by integration into the Belfast and Lagan Valley industrial region and market. The Belfast and County Down Railway connected Newtownards to Belfast, via Comber and Dundonald, in 1850, and to Donaghadee in 1861. By the same year, the town's population had risen to 9,500. (This rail line was closed in 1950.) On 12 July 1867, despite the Party Processions Acts, the Orange Order paraded from Bangor to Newtownards. The parade was organised by William Johnston (sentenced to a short term in prison the next year for his actions) and about 30,000 took part.

As the nineteenth century progressed the economy became increasingly tied to the growing city of Belfast and the town continued to prosper and by the 20th century had increasingly become a commuter town. Newtownards' population reached 13,100 in 1961 and had doubled to 28,000 by 2011.

The Troubles

During the Troubles, Newtownards was the scene of a car bomb attack on 5 July 1993, when Roma's Bar in Regent Street was targeted. The pub was destroyed, but has since been rebuilt. The attack was carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) with a 700 kg (1,500 lb) device. There were no fatalities. Police said the 10-minute warning, telephoned to a local radio station, was "totally inadequate." The warning said the bomb contained 1,500 pounds of explosives.

Recent times

On 1 November 2021, a bus in the town was hijacked and set on fire by two masked assailants allegedly protesting the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Places of interest

Scrabo Tower

Main article: Scrabo Tower

The town of Newtownards is overlooked by the 100 ft high Scrabo Tower. The tower is 41 metres high, and was erected on Scrabo Hill as a memorial to Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry in 1857. Those loyal to the Stewart family suggested the inspiration lay in the gratitude of his tenantry for his solicitude during the famine. Given the popular criticism the Marquess in those years, this seems doubtful. In 1847 he and his wife made contributions of £20 and £10 to their local relief committees. The following year they expended £15,000 renovating their home in Mount Stewart. Only 450 subscribers were connected to the estate on which there were 1,200 tenants farmers and many associated employees. Two-thirds of the cost was met by 98 subscribers (on a list headed by Emperor Napoleon III of France), most of whom were fellow gentry.

The Scottish baronial-style tower is open to the public and houses a historical and local environment exhibition. The basalt-topped sandstone hill at Scrabo is one of the dominant features of north Down. The tower now stands in Scrabo Country Park with its woodland walks and parkland through Killynether Wood.

Movilla Abbey

The ancient ruins of Movilla Abbey, monastic settlement are situated within the grounds of Movilla Cemetery. Nothing visible remains today of Finnian's original Celtic Abbey, but the 15th Century Augustinian ruins still stand, and are worth seeing. They are a part of the St Patrick's Trail Tourist Route.

Somme Heritage Centre

The Somme Heritage Centre, which is situated a little north of the town, is the Somme Association's flagship project. Situated adjacent to the Clandeboye Estate outside Newtownards, the centre is a unique visitor attraction of international significance showing the reality of the Great War and its effects on the community at home. The centre commemorates the involvement of the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) divisions in the Battle of the Somme, the 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli, Salonika and Palestine, and provides displays and information on the entire Irish contribution to the First World War.

Mount Stewart

On the east shore of Strangford Lough, a few miles outside Newtownards and near Greyabbey, stands Mount Stewart, an 18th-century house and garden – the home of the Londonderry family. The house and its contents reflect the history of the Londonderrys who played a leading role in British social and political life. The ninety-eight acre garden at Mount Stewart has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Demography

|1821|3332 |1831|4442 |1841|6721 |1851|9566 |1861|9542 |1871|9562 |1881|8676 |1891|9197 |1901|9110 |1911|9587 |1926|10149 |1937|19546 |1951|12243 |1961|13083 |1966|12929 |1971|15484 |1981|20531 |1991|24301 |2001|27821 |2011|28050 |2021|29677

2021 Census

On Census Day (21 March 2021) the usually resident population of Newtownards was 29,677. Of these:

• 8.70% belong to or were brought up Catholic Christian and 70.97% belong to or were brought up 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'.
• 72.17% indicated that they had a British national identity, 5.91% had an Irish national identity and 39.29% had a Northern Irish national identity. Respondents could indicate more than one national identity

2011 Census

On Census Day (27 March 2011) the usually resident population of Newtownards was 28,050 accounting for 1.55% of the NI total. Of these:

• 98.67% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group.
• 8.32% belong to or were brought up Catholic Christian and 79.35% belong to or were brought up 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'.
• 76.37% indicated that they had a British national identity, 4.86% had an Irish national identity and 31.39% had a Northern Irish national identity. Respondents could indicate more than one national identity

Sport

;Rugby Ards Rugby Football Club plays at Lansdowne Road, south of the town along the main Comber road.

;Cricket Ards and Donaghadee Cricket Club currently plays its home games at Londonderry Park, which is on Portaferry Road.

;Football There are two local football teams: Ards F.C., who play in the NIFL's Danske Bank Premiership, and Ards Rangers F.C., who play in the Northern Amateur Football League.

;Ards motor racing Circuit Main article: Ards Circuit

The Ards Circuit through Newtownards was a motorsport street circuit used for RAC Tourist Trophy sports car races from 1928 until 1936. At the time it was Northern Ireland's premier sporting event, regularly attracting crowds in excess of a quarter of a million people.

On 5 September 1936, in appallingly wet conditions, local driver Jack Chambers lost control of his Riley approaching the Strangford Arms in Newtownards at the Newtownards rail bridge and crashed into the crowd, killing eight spectators. This tragedy brought an end to nine years of racing over the Ards street circuit. At the time it was Northern Ireland's premier sporting event, regularly attracting crowds in excess of a quarter of a million people. Although it was a speed event, the entries were handicapped to allow cars of very different sizes and capabilities to race against each other on supposedly even terms over 30 laps (35 laps from 1933) of the 13.7-mile circuit. On 5 September 1936, in wet conditions, local driver Jack Chambers lost control of his Riley beneath the railway bridge coming into Newtownards, and crashed into the crowd killing eight spectators. This tragedy brought an end to nine years of racing over the Ards road circuit. --

Notable natives/residents

• Christine Bleakley (born 1979), television presenter known for her work on ITV, was raised in Newtownards
• Harry Cavan (1916-2000), senior VP of FIFA (1980–90), and president of the Irish Football Association from 1958 to 1994.
• Sir Robert Colville (1625-1697), politician and landowner, owned much property in and near Newtownards.
• Jason Dunkerley (born 1977), Canadian five-time paralympic medalist, was born and raised in Newtownards. His family emigrated to Canada when he was 14.
• Nick Earls (born 1963), a novelist born in the area; he later moved to Brisbane, Australia.
• Celia de Fréine (born 1948), dramatist and poet, was born in the town before later moving to Dublin and Galway.
• Eddie Irvine (born 1965), racing driver and runner-up in the 1999 Formula One World Championship for Ferrari, was born and lived in Conlig, near Newtownards.
• William Jackson (1737–1795), political journalist, secret contact between the United Irishmen and the French Republic.
• Martyn Irvine (born 1985), former World Cycling Champion and two-time silver medalist, is from the town.
• Steven Kane (born 1980), racing driver
• Michael Legge (born 1968), stand-up comedian, was born and raised in the town.
• Alex Lightbody (born 1966), former Northern Ireland, Irish and British open lawn bowls singles champion
• Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne (1915-1955), SAS co-founder, was born and lived in Newtownards and attended Regent House Grammar School. A bronze statue of him stands outside the town hall. He played rugby for Ireland and for the Lions in the 1938 British Lions tour to South Africa.
• Barry McClements (born 2001), Commonwealth Games para swimming medallist
• Rhys McClenaghan (born 1999), Irish international gymnast, 2020 Tokyo Olympic pommel horse finalist, 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist, was born and lives in Newtownards.
• Colin Nixon (born 1978), former football player who managed Ards, is from Newtownards.
• Ricky Warwick (born 1966), best known as the frontman for the Scottish band The Almighty, is from the town.
• Thomas Watters (1840-1901), British diplomat and scholar

References

References

1. "Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann".
2. "Home | Department of the Environment".
3. "North-South Ministerial Council: 2002 Annual Report in Ulster Scots".
4. "Newtownards".
5. "Movilla Abbey".
6. "Newtownards, Co Down". Place Names NI.
7. {{cite EB1911
8. (2 February 2009). "Newtownards Priory – one of the great Ulster-Scots churches".
9. "Newtownards Priory".
10. Creedon, John. (2020). "That Place We Call Home: A Journey Through the Place Names of Ireland". Gill Books.
11. Bardon, Jonathan. (2012). "The Plantation of Ulster". Gill Books.
12. "The Market House". Newtownards Historical Series.
13. [[ATQ Stewart. Stewart, A.T.Q.]] (1995), ''The Summer Soldiers: The 1798 Rebellion in Antrim and Down'' Belfast, Blackstaff Press, 1995,{{ISBN. 9780856405587.
14. (26 September 2015). "Irish Famine: How Ulster was devastated by its impact". BBC News.
15. (1994). "Newtown: a History of Newtownards". Gatefold Paperback.
16. "Parades and Marches – Chronology 2: Historical Dates and Events". Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN).
17. "2017 Mid-year Population Estimates for District Electoral Areas". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
18. "CAIN: Chronology of the Conflict 1993".
19. "IRA car bomb injures 17".
20. (2021-11-01). "Newtownards: Bus hijacked by masked men and set on fire". BBC News.
21. (2013). "Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland: The Kindness of Strangers". Bloomsbury.
22. McCavery, pp. 140–141
23. "Scrabo Country Park – Historic Sites, Houses, Castles & Buildings in Newtownards, Newtownards – Discover Northern Ireland".
24. "Saint Patrick's Trail".
25. "The Somme Association".
26. "Mount Stewart's world-class gardens".
27. "Settlement 2015".
28. "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Newtownards Settlement". [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA).
29. "Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) – Table view". [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA).
30. "Histpop – The Online Historical Population Reports Website".
31. For post 1821 figures, 1813 estimate from Mason's Statistical Survey For a discussion on the accuracy of [[Great Famine (Ireland). pre-famine]] census returns see [[J. J. Lee (historian). J. J. Lee]] "On the accuracy of the pre-famine Irish censuses Irish Population, Economy and Society edited by JM Goldstrom and LA Clarkson (1981) p.54, in and also New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 by Joel Mokyr and [[Cormac Ó Gráda]] in ''The Economic History Review, New Series'', Vol. 37, No. 4 (Nov 1984), pp. 473–88.
32. "Religion or religion brought up in".
33. "National Identity (British)".
34. "National Identity (Irish)".
35. "National Identity (Northern Irish)".
36. (28 May 2015). "Ards rugby club to redevelop grounds with social enterprise fund loan". Belfast Telegraph.
37. (18 February 2022). "Ards and Donaghadee cricket clubs merge". The Newtownards Chronicle.
38. "Ards Rangers". Northern Amateur Football League.
39. Ireland, Culture Northern. (2005-12-23). "The Tourist Trophy Races".
40. (18 August 2008). "Memorial revives Ards TT memories". BBC.
41. Lightfoot, Henry. (2011). "Presenting Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley: The True Story of the Hottest Team on Television". John Blake.
42. "Cavan, Harry (Henry Hartrick)". Dictionary of Irish Biography.
43. "Colville, Sir Robert". Dictionary of Irish Biography.
44. (30 December 2010). "About | WinningTrack".
45. "Nick Earls". Prague Writers' Festival.
46. Callaghan, Mary Rose. (2000). "Jumping the Bus Queue: The Older Women's Network Poetry Collection". Older Women's Network.
47. (18 December 2013). "Eddie Irvine: Formula 1 is now embarrassing". Belfast Telegraph.
48. (1 November 2017). "Martyn Irvine retires from competitive cycling to take up new role". Belfast Telegraph.
49. (3 January 2014). "Legge gets helping hand with some alternative comic moments". Belfast Telegraph.
50. "Singles Winners". British Isles Bowls Council.
51. "Lt Col. Robert Blair 'Paddy' Mayne DSO Freemason".
52. (26 March 2016). "Co Down teenager Barry McClements chasing Paralympic glory after "never letting his disability hold him back"". Belfast Live.
53. (31 May 2022). "Commonwealth Games: NI secretary calls for ban on gymnasts to be lifted". BBC News.
54. (21 February 2019). "Billy Weir: Colin Nixon's dismissal from Ards was a classless way to end the reign of an Irish League class act". Belfast Telegraph.
55. (5 February 2021). "Newtownards musician Ricky Warwick releases new single". News Letter.