Mazetown
| Mazetown | |
| County Down | |
|---|---|
 Maze Presbyterian Church and Hall | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | J217616 |
| Location: | 54°29’17"N, 6°7’23"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 363 (2001) |
| Post town: | Lisburn |
| Postcode: | BT28 |
| Dialling code: | 028 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Lisburn and Castlereagh |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Lagan Valley |
Mazetown or Maze is a small village in the very north of County Down. It is named after the townland of Maze. The village stands on the southern bank of the River Lagan, which marks the border with County Antrim, and across which stands Lurganure in the latter county.
The 2001 Census recorded just 363 residents.
About the village
Maze was the site of HM Prison Maze, formerly a Royal Air Force station (RAF Long Kesh), named after neighbouring Long Kesh. The prison was opened as an internment camp in the 1970s at the beginning of the Troubles, but was later converted into a maximum security prison and was the main prison in Northern Ireland for convicted terrorists during that time. The prison and its "H-blocks" became notorious in the headlines for the many dangerous men held here.
The prison closed in 2000. The site is to be redeveloped and there are plans to provide a new national stadium for Northern Ireland, which caused inevitable controversy, and an equestrian facility. Proposals to retain some of the former prison buildings have also provoked controversy.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Maze, County Down) |