Groomsport (in Irish: Port an Ghiolla Ghruama, Port of the gloomy fellow or gloomy servant) is a village two miles north east of Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the south shore of Belfast Lough and on the north coast of the Ards Peninsula. It had a population of 873 people in the 2001 Census. It is part of the North Down Borough Council region. A village is a human residential settlement commonly found in rural areas. ... Bangor (in Irish Beannchor) is a town of approximately 80,000 population in County Down, Northern Ireland. ... Statistics Province: Ulster County Town: Downpatrick Area: 2,448 km² Population (est. ... Dieu et mon droit (motto) (French for God and my right)2 Northern Irelands location within the UK Official Languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP Area  - Total Ranked 4th UK 13,843... Belfast Lough (Loch Lao in Irish) is a large intertidal sea lough situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on the east coast of Northern Ireland. ... The Ards peninsula is a peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland which separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel on Irelands northeast coast. ... Census 2001 is the name by which the national census conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 is known. ... North Down Borough Council is a Local Council in County Down in Northern Ireland. ...

Groomsport is a dormitory seaside and holiday village. Originally it was a small fishing village with the focus of development being the harbour and Main Street. Groomsport has developed as a centre for water and shore-based recreation with improved facilities for activities such as sailing and power boating.

The village developed beside the natural sheltered harbour, between the shore, Ballymacormick Point and the rocky outcrop known as Cockle Island. The harbour is reputed to be of Viking origin and the beginnings of the small settlement can be traced to the ninth or tenth century. Groomsport remained a fishing village through the Victorian and Edwardian periods until the 1920s. Groomsport still retains the identity and character of a small harbour village with its pier and sheltered anchorage together with its historic street pattern. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Social issues of the 1920s. ...

History

By the 17th century the village was known as ‘Gilgroomsport’ and at this time, before Donaghadee became the main port for embarkation for Scotland, Groomsport’s harbour was significant enough to have its own Customs House. Indeed, Groomsport narrowly missed out on New World fame when the ship Eagle Wing set out from the port, with 140 men, women and children, to attempt an early trip to North America in 1636 only to be defeated by bad weather after eight weeks at sea. (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Donaghadee Harbour and lighthouse Donaghadee (in Irish: Domhnach Daoi, ie Daoi’s Church) is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, situated on the east coast, about 18 miles from Belfast and about eight miles north east of Newtownards. ... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within Europe Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Events February 24 - King Christian of Denmark gives an order that all beggars that are able to work must be sent to Brinholmen Island to build ships or as galley rowers March 26 - Utrecht University founded in The Netherlands. ...

By the mid 1800s Groomsport had a relatively large fishing fleet and housed a lifeboat station in its sheltered bay. The population of the village was employed mainly in agriculture, fishing and loom weaving. Whilst living conditions were hard, the coming of the railway from Holywood to Bangor in 1865 made the village much more accessible and the standard of living improved. Groomsport had its own halt on the Newtownards to Donaghadee line and the village became a popular destination for visitors. Events and Trends Beginning of the Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815). ... Holywood Location Holywood (Sanctus Boscus in Latin, Ard Mhic Nasca in Irish) is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the shores of Belfast Lough. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ...

The population was only 360 in the 1951 Census but this has increased substantially in the last few years with the construction of new housing developments. The harbour has found new popularity, with a sailing club and a collection of pleasure craft. Two former fishermen's cottages by the harbour have been restored as an attraction for visitors. 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

2001 Census

Groomsport is classified as a settlement within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA) by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 873 people living in Groomsport. Of these: April 29 is the 119th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (120th in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

• 11.7% were aged under 16 years and 41.6% were aged 60 and over
• 45.7% of the population were male and 54.3% were female
• 7.9% were from a Catholic background and 88.9% were from a Protestant background
• 2.6% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.

For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service Protestantism is one of three primary branches of Christianity. ...

References

• Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
• Culture Northern Ireland

External links

• Bangor FM - Bangor's Radio Station
• Groomsport Village website
• North Down Borough Council - Groomsport

See also

• List of villages in Northern Ireland
• List of towns in Northern Ireland