One of the earliest references to Temple dates back to 1858, when the name was first applied to a public house in the townland of Carricknaveagh. It was called "The Temple" because it was the meeting place for a freemasons' lodge. The village is within the historic barony of
Castlereagh Upper and the civil parish of
Killaney. First held in 1921, the Temple 100 were a series of road races which took place within Temple and the surrounding area. The circuit was updated over the years, but they were predominantly held between Temple and
Carryduff, and then ultimately between Temple and
Saintfield. The final race took place in 1999. It was the first ever and longest running pure road race in
Ireland, and one of the oldest road races in the world. == Places of interest ==