In 1656 the Waring Estate was established by William Waring to fulfil many differing and varying roles. These roles were as important then as they are today to the present owner; William’s 7^th great grandson Michael Harnett.

On a physical level the estate now extends to approximately 500 acres of land situated in Ireland. Half of that land is represented by the Waring demesne established by William in 1656 and is situated in County Down. The layout of the demesne has changed little since the start of the 18th century when Samuel Waring forged the field structure interwoven by bands of trees as an extension of his house and gardens. These estate lands managed and farmed by the family not only yielded supplies and produce but they also acted as a ‘test bed’ and demonstration area for new crops and farming techniques. In the 17^th century it trialled and developed silviculture and flax (linen) and more recently it has reintroduced Hemp and Oilseed Rape and has trialled sunflowers and daffodils. Today as they have done for over 360 years people come to see the innovations developed on the estate.

Outside the demesne the estate once encompassed the village of Waringstown and many thousands of acres of land in the vicinity. With the settled land acts at the end of the 19^th century the majority of these farmed lands passed on from the estate to individual farmers. Significant pockets of land and properties remained however under the family control and these have and are being developed as commercial, domestic or social enterprises.

The concepts of ‘adding value’ and ‘good practice’ have always been paramount in all aspects of the estate’s operations. Starting in the 17^th century flax was grown and it’s husbandry perfected; the real value of the crop however was in the conversion to the much more valuable linen and in having that technique perfected. This thinking continues today, as within the last few decades, Oilseed Rape, Linseed and Hemp have not only been grown on the estate but the estate was the first in Ireland to commercially extract oil from these oilseeds. Last year Harnett’s Oils a company operating within the estate curtilage was the largest producer of Rapeseed oil for the food market in Ireland. Within the estate, another enterprise Bioil Ltd converts rapeseed oil into environmentally friendly lubricants.

Currently there is a pilot scheme underway to show that the estate could be independent of the national electricity grid. On successful completion of the pilot the estate will erect a 46-meter wind turbine and manage and store the energy produced to supply the farm, commercial properties, domestic properties and manufacturing plants with electricity and heat in a green and sustainable manner.

The operations of the Waring Estate have always put people and community first. William Waring’s house has and is primarily a home; notwithstanding it’s imposing façade the house is of modest proportions. While the gardens are private the Cricket Club and Church of Ireland were established and imbedded within the demesne. Both now have their independence and autonomy but association and shared history ensure continuing strong links.