Spa, County Down
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Spa is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland, close to Ballynahinch. It is situated in the Down District Council area.
Recently the village has grown significantly with the addition of many housing estates including Carnglave Manor and Marcevin Grove. Spa also has a small primary school which, in recent years, has had to expand to accommodate the increasing number of pupils resulting from the development of the new housing estates. It also has an Orange Hall. There is a lake just outside the village.
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[edit] History
The village takes its name from the three sulphur and iron spa well on its south west edge, which were in use as a spa resort since the early 18th century (mentioned by writer Walter Harris in the 1740s). In 1810 two pumps were put in by David Ker, local landlord and owner of the nearby Montalto estate, and in 1840 Assembly Rooms (including a ballroom) were built by his son. There was also a hotel and a maze for visitors, who came by train to Ballynahinch and then to Spa by jaunting car. While operational in the 1920s, the wells and hotel closed later in the 20th century.[1][2]
[edit] Religion
Spa Presbyterian Church is situated at the main crossroads in the village. It was designed by architects Young and Mackenzie of Belfast and the builder was John Russell of Newcastle. The foundation stone was laid in 1871 and the church opened in July 1872.[3]
[edit] Sport
Spa Golf Club is situated between Spa and Ballynahinch on the Grove Road. The Golf Club has held qualifying matches for the British Senior Open Championship in recent years.
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[edit] References
- ^ "The Spa, near Ballynahinch". Ros Davies' Co. Down. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/PHOTOSwords/MagheradroolAll.htm#spab. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "Spa Wells, Ballynahinch". BBC, Your Place and Mine. http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/down/bhinch_spa.shtml. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ "Presbyterian Church in Spa". Ros Davies' Co. Down. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/PHOTOSwords/MagheradroolAll.htm#spa. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
