Drumaness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Drumaness (in Irish: Droim an Easa, ie ridge of the waterfall) is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, 5 kilometres to the south of Ballynahinch, beside the main A24 Belfast to Newcastle road. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,280 people. It is situated in the Down District Council area. The Village, along with Ballynahinch is twinned with Lamorlaye, France.
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[edit] History and Development
Drumaness developed as a mill village in 1850, with the opening of a spinning mill on the banks of the River Cumber. The village lost its employment role in 1968 following the closure of the mill and today it is largely a commuter settlement. It contains a limited range of services and shops. Drumaness Primary School and the Church of Christ the King are situated on the Drumsnade Road on the opposite side of the Newcastle Road, approximately 0.5 kilometres south west of the village.
The centre of the village has a distinctive appearance with listed terraces of mill buildings, alleyways, courtyards and a millpond. The Dan Rice Memorial Hall, now used as a community centre, is a listed building. The area behind this building and within the vicinity of the playground are currently under construction (May 2007)
Drumaness features two main Social Clubs, Drumaness Gaelic and Drumaness Mills Soccer Club. The later being more central to the village. The village also recently opened its first off-licence "Bottles and Drinks" alongside Drumaness Filling Station.
A recent application for the opening of a pharmacy in Drumaness has been curtailed due to opposition by several competing pharmacies in Ballynahnich, who believe that the addition of a such a public service in a village 3 miles away would constitute unfair competition.
[edit] Demographics
Drumaness is classified as a Village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,280 people living in Drumaness. Of these:
- 30.4% were aged under 16 years and 11.1% were aged 60 and over
- 47.7% of the population were male and 52.3% were female
- 91.7% were from a Catholic background and 7.4% were from a Protestant background
- 5.2% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
[edit] Gaelic Team
Drumaness along with Ballynahinch, and Dunmore form the Parish of Magheradroll. There is evidence of Gaelic football being played in the parish as far back as 1889 when a club was in existence in Glassdrumrnond, on the Belfast side of Ballynahinch. A club was formed in Ballynahinch in 1935 and continued until it moved to Drumaness Village in February 1957 where it has remained ever since.
As the Drumaness club led a nomadic life with regards to playing facilities it was agreed by the committee in the late 70s that a disused building should be rented to start a social club. The funds generated from this venture could then be used to purchase a playing field which would then give the club a permanent base. This venture was pursued and the social club was officially opened by the East Down Chairman Harry MeEvoy on the 28th August, 1981.
The social club flourished and in June 1982 a field adjacent to the old soccer club was purchased to develop as a playing field. After much hard work by a few dedicated club members and enormous expense the magnificent new playing pitch was officially opened on 10th May, 1987 by the Ulster President, Peter Quinn. Games between Down v. Clare camogie, Down v. Cork, football and Down v. Antrim, hurling followed.
Probably their most famous playing member was Peter Withnell whose goals in the All-Ireland semi-final v Kerry in 1991 will live long in the memory. Peter went on to win an All-Ireland medal that year.
Drumaness now currently have 3 All-Ireland medal winners at the club. Damien Laverty with St Patrick's Grammar School, Peter Withnell with Down and Scott Little with St Malachy's High School.
Drumaness are currently in Division 3 making and making good progress.
[edit] Soccer Team
Drumaness F.C. are a Northern Irish football club playing in the NAFL Premier Division of the Northern Amateur Football league.
Drumaness Mills Football Club have been members of the Northern Ireland Amateur League since its formation in 1929. The Club Started in the second division finishing runners up in 1931/32. They are in fact one of the oldest clubs in the league.
Due to the war, the team left the league in 1941, but re-joined in 1950 for a short period, but were to return for good in 1954.
Today, the team has one of the best grounds and facilities in the league, with the newly developed club house situated behind the pitch.
James Desmond "Dinkster" Smyth currently is the most frequent user to the club, visiting no less than 7 nights a week! Everything from left over guinness from peoples unfinished pints to sweeties from the floor, Dinky can always guarantee you, he'll be there to clear up :)
[edit] Religious and Educational Facilities
Drumaness has one school, "Drumaness Primary". This is situated on the Drumsnade Road on the opposite side of the Newcastle Road, approximately 0.5 kilometres south west of the village. Much like Drumaness' Chapel, "Christ the King" it is not actually situated within the Village, but just outside.
Residents are expected to travel to nearby Ballynahinch (St. Coleman's, Assumption), Downpatrick (St. Patrick's Grammar, De La Salle High School, Down Academy, St. Mary's High School) or to a lesser extent Newcastle (Shimna Integrated College).
[edit] Trivia
- Amanda McKittrick Ros, the writer, was born in Drumaness (b. 1860 - d. 1939).
[edit] References
- Draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015
- Culture Northern Ireland
