Waringstown Street © Ulster Museum - Magni 2004 Reproduced with the kind permission of the Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. This image must not be copied or reproduced in any form without the permission of the Ulster Museum

Origins

Waringstown is situated 2 ¾ miles south-east of Lurgan in the parish of Donaghcloney which is in the barony of Lower Iveagh. The area was originally called Clanconnell but its name became anglicised when it changed ownership. The land was in the ownership of Glasney McAgholy Magennis who held his lands by patent from King James I on the condition that his lands would be forfeited if he entered into hostile action against the King. The sons of Magennis joined forces with the native Irish during the civil war of 1641 and so their lands were confiscated. The land was distributed between Cromwellian soldiers in Lord Deputy Fleetwood's Troop of Horse and Regiment of Foot, in lieu of pay. The soldiers sold their newly acquired lands to the commander of the Regiment of Foot, Colonel Barrett. It was in this way that the area came into the possession of William Waring, a General of Cromwell's army. According to census records, he was in ownership of the lands by 1659. He built a large house on his estate in 1667, known as Waringstown House which still stands today. The house, which is in the Jacobean style and shows Huguenot influence in the detailing, was one of the first unfortified country houses in Ireland. Around it sprang up the village with many thatched single storey dwellings, incorporating distinctive Huguenot detailing.

Waringstown Linen