BANBRIDGE

Irish Droichead Na Banna town, seat, and district (established 1973), formerly within County Down, N.Ire. Located on the River Bann, the town of Banbridge came into existence following the building of a stone bridge across the river in 1712. It is the main agricultural and population centre of the region; manufactures include linen, light footwear, and motor vehicle components. Much of the land in the surrounding area is utilized for crops, including oats, potatoes, and barley, or as pasture for livestock (mostly pigs). Primary roads connect the town of Banbridge with the towns of Lisburn to the north and Newry to the south. Banbridge district has an area of 172 square miles (445 square km) and is bordered by the districts of Armagh to the west, Craigavon and Lisburn to the north, Down to the east, and Newry and Mourne to the south. Reaching an altitude of 1,745 feet (532 m) at Slieve Croob in eastern Banbridge district, the Legananny Hills slope gradually southwestward to rolling lowlands that are dissected by the River Bann and its tributaries in central Banbridge and then to Newry Canal valley in the western part of the district. Limestone is quarried in the northwest. Pop. (1981) town, 9,650; (1990 est.) district, 32,100.