Ballygowan period, and subsequent to the introduction of the Belfast & County Down Railway in 1850, that the village began to grow. Ballygowan railway station opened on 10 September 1858, but finally closed on 16 January 1950. After the railway closed in 1950 the village became an attractive "dormitory" town and the ensuing 50 years have seen rapid growth. On Monday, 15 September 2014, the remains of The Baron Bannside (better known as The Rev. Ian Paisley) were buried in the graveyard attached to Ballygowan Free Presbyterian Church. Lord Bannside was a former First Minister of Northern Ireland and a former
Stephen Green, Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint He has a sister, Elizabeth, who lives in the USA and a brother, George Francis Green, who is Professor of Labour Economics and Skills Development at the Institute of Education, University of London. Stephen Green, Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint Stephen Keith Green, Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint (born 7 November 1948) is a British Conservative politician, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, former Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc, and Anglican priest. Stephen Green was born on 7 November 1948 to Dudley Keith Green and Dorothy Rosamund Mary Green (née Wickham). After a private education at Lancing College, near