NEWTON-ARDS, a seaport-town of Ireland, in the county of Down, situated at the head of Lough Strangford, 10 miles E. of Belfast. It is regularly laid out and well built, having a market-place, and a principal street lined with many good houses. The old church, now used as a court-house, though somewhat dilapidated, is a fine building, entered by a beautifully-carved Norman doorway. It was completed in 1632, though it probably existed before that time, and was then only repaired. The present church, an elegant building, was erected in 1817. There are numerous other churches, belonging to Presbyterians, Methodists, Roman
Catholics, and Unitarians. Newton has also a large town-hall, with assembly-rooms in connection with it; several Makerfield schools; a fever hospital, dispensary, and workhouse. The weaving and embroidery of damask muslins is the principal branch of industry carried on here; but there is also an extensive brewery in the town. In the neighbourhood there are some good stone quarries and lead mines. Pop. (1851) 9567.