Katesbridge

For the hamlet in England, see Kate's Bridge.

Katesbridge is a small hamlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Shannaghan, just off the main route from Castlewellan to Banbridge, and 4.3 miles (7km) north of Rathfriland. The River Bann flows by the hamlet. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 135 people. It lies within the Banbridge District.

The hamlet is named after Kate McKay, who was born in Ballyroney in 1691 then went to live with her grandmother who is said to have owned the house where the workmen lodged when building the 18th-century bridge. It is because of Kate's kindness the workmen named the bridge after her, and the hamlet became known as Katesbridge.

Transport

Katesbridge railway station, on the Great Northern Railway, was opened on 14 December 1880 and finally closed on 2 May 1955.

File:Entering Katesbridge - geograph.org.uk - 1559666.jpg

Crossing over the GNR bridge into Katesbridge.

Climate

Climate data for Katesbridge
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	7.4 (45.3)	7.8 (46)	9.7 (49.5)	12.1 (53.8)	14.7 (58.5)	17.3 (63.1)	18.9 (66)	18.7 (65.7)	16.5 (61.7)	13.2 (55.8)	10.2 (50.4)	7.7 (45.9)	12.85 (55.14)
Average low °C (°F)	0.7 (33.3)	0.6 (33.1)	1.9 (35.4)	2.8 (37)	5.2 (41.4)	8.0 (46.4)	10.1 (50.2)	9.5 (49.1)	7.9 (46.2)	5.4 (41.7)	2.7 (36.9)	0.9 (33.6)	4.64 (40.36)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	83.6 (3.291)	62.9 (2.476)	69.4 (2.732)	61.3 (2.413)	60.0 (2.362)	64.5 (2.539)	64.5 (2.539)	84.9 (3.343)	71.7 (2.823)	92.2 (3.63)	90.6 (3.567)	82.6 (3.252)	888.2 (34.967)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm)	14.8	12.0	13.5	11.1	11.7	11.0	12.6	12.6	12.3	14.4	14.2	13.9	154.1
Source: Met Office

References

• NI Neighbourhood Information System
• Culture Northern Ireland
• Katesbridge
• Katesbridge Railway Station

See also

• List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland