Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Comber is a market town, lying at the confluence of the Enler River and the Glen River, close to the north-western end of Stangford Lough in County Down. It is within the townland of Town Parks, Ballyhenry, Mount Alexander, Carnasure and Ballyaltikilligan, in the civil parish of Comber. A Cistercian Abbey was built in the area in 1199 and flourished until dissolved in 1543. Around 1610, the landowner Sir Hugh Montgomery had a new church built on the site. The town was largely developed by the Andrews family during the 18th century. By the late 18th century John Andrews had established a linen bleach green, corn mills and a flour mill. Whiskey distilling was a prominent industry by the mid 19th century, though ceased in 1952. The town has seen large-scale suburban expansion since the mid 20th century. The statue of Major General Rollo Gillespie, war hero in India, in the town square dates from 1845. The present St Mary's Church (C of I) dates from 1840, replacing Montgomery's 1610 church. Comber was the birthplace of Thomas Andrews (1873-1912), the naval architect in charge of the plans for the Titanic. The town is within the council area of Ards and North Down.

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Down
Lat, Long: 54.550565,-5.745816
Grid Reference: J 4590 6925
Townland: Town Parks TD
Civil Parish: Comber CP
Council Area: Ards and North Down CA
Police Area: Northern Ireland PA
Devolved Legislature:  Northern Ireland Assembly

GBPN ID: 321849
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Comber,_Down_321849

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