Longkesh

Longkesh
County Down
Location
Grid reference:	J219611
Location:	54°29’1"N, 6°7’11"W
Data
Local Government
Council:	Lisburn and Castlereagh

Longkesh, otherwise known as The Long Kesh, is a small village in the very north of County Down, near Lisburn. The 2001 census recorded a population of just 201.

The village is spread along the long, straight Kesh Road, as it runs north of the bridge over the M2 motorway.

Places of interest/History

Longkesh is best known as the site of The Maze Prison, also known as Long Kesh. The site had been an airforce base, RAF Long Kesh, but in 1971 it was converted first into what was intended as a temporary camp for republican internees. Later, it was expanded into a maximum security prison, used to hold convicted prisoners from both sides of the communal divide during the long years of the Troubles.

References

• A Long History – Danny Morrison