MOIRA
is a Georgian village situated eight miles outside the City
of Lisburn, just off the M1 motorway as you head west from Belfast.
The historic village is full of character. There is a
market house built about 1800. (now a church). The wide main
street is lined with red berried Rowans and eighteenth century
black-stone houses divided by carriage archways. A feature over
the years was the group of four lime trees in the village centre.
Sadly the passing of time and modern traffic has necessitated
these being replaced with smaller trees. Built mostly by Sir
Arthur Rawdon, whose famous formal gardens have vanished, the
town has a habit of winning civic flower awards. For most of
the year the place is a mass of flowering shrubs, roses, flowerbeds
and hanging baskets.
It
is a place you must visit, to admire the floral displays, browse
the antique shops and art gallery, sip refreshments in one of
the many quiet outlets and soak up the local atmosphere.
Moira today is a growing community of around 4,000 people.
Many have settled here because of the character of the place
and because of its proximity to Belfast and other major centres
of employment.
