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Banbridge
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Banbridge situated in
the beautiful heart of County Down, between the meandering River
Bann and rugged Slieve Croob. Banbridge grew up around the site
where the main road from Belfast to Dublin crossed the Bann over an
Old Bridge, which was situated where the present bridge now stands.
Banbridge grew as a coaching stop and also from linen manufacturing
and was home to the Star of the County Down. The town owed its
success to flax and the linen industry, becoming by 1772 the
principal linen producing district in Ireland with a total of 26
bleachgreens along the Bann. This industry has almost completely
disappeared now.
The town’s best known feature is the underpass constructed in 1834
known as The Cut. It is thought that this was the first underpass
ever built, and was done so to allow horses to pass through the
centre of the town without fainting before they reach the top of the
hill.
Banbridge is an area steeped in ancient history. Legananny Dolmen
dates from 4000-2000BC and sits on the southern fringe of the Slieve
Croob mountain range.. The Crannog in Loughbrickland Lake is an
ancient lake dwelling (500AD) which was built to give the occupants
protection from invaders. The history of linen is very prevalent in
this area. Thomas Ferguson and Co is still recognised as one of the
leading linen producers in the world. Banford Bleachworks is also
still in existence and is thought to have been built on the site of
one of the first bleachworks on the River Bann.
Banbridge Golf Club is conveniently situated 25 miles south of
Belfast, with easy access from the main Belfast to Dublin Road. Its
excellent facilities include a challenging 18 hole course, well
stocked golf shop, superb luxurious clubhouse, restaurant and
conference room.
Since 2004, Banbridge has staged an annual BuskFest busking
competition and music festival.
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Banbridge Holiday Homes - County Down, Ireland