Tamhnaigh Naomh

Saintfield derives from Irish Tamhnaigh Naomh, meaning 'Field of Saints', combining tamhnach (arable field) with naomh (saint). The place was originally held by the O'Neill clan but confiscated after 1602 and granted to Sir James Hamilton in 1605, who established the first English and Scottish settlers. The townland remained relatively undeveloped until Major General Nicholas Price purchased th...