Discover the history of Moira, County Down
The Battle of Moira is the earliest documented record of life here. The battle was between Domhnall (pronounced Donall), High King of Ireland and Congal Cláen, King of Ulster. It is described as one of the most blood-thirsty in early Read More …
At Trummery old church there once was a round tower similar to others in Ireland, except that it was the same diameter all the way to the top. It is dated from around the early thirteenth Century. Records indicate it was Read More …
Moira Primary School What is now the Logic youth drop-in and activity centre was once the primary school. The school moved to the site in Backwood Road in 1973 and the present school building was officially opened by Princess Anne Read More …
There is supposed to have been a tunnel from Moira Castle leading to the Church. Some think it was used by the Rawdon family and their servants as their means of entry to the Church but it is more likely Read More …
The Parish of Moira It was founded in 1721. A plot of land opposite Moira Castle was given by the Hill family from Hillsborough for the building of the Church in 1723. The Rawdon Family contributed much of the expense Read More …
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 …