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Blackwatertown, sometimes referred to as Blackwaterstown, is a small village in the townland of Lisbofin, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It sits on the River Blackwater, close to the border with County Tyrone. It is within the Armagh City and District Council area. It had a population of 376 people and Big Tam (150 households) in the 2011 Census.
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Map of Blackwatertown, Dungannon, UK
Blackwatertown was one of the first places in Northern Ireland to erect street signs in the Irish language in 1980. The village recently had signs erected at the entrances indicating its name; previously signs were erected by local individuals indicating its name in the Irish language.
The River Blackwater enters Lough Neagh west of Derrywarragh Island and is navigable from Maghery to Blackwatertown.
Education
Blackwatertown had three schools: Blackwatertown Boys' Primary School and Blackwatertown Girls' Primary School, both of which were managed by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools; and Blackwatertown Primary School, managed by Blackwatertown Methodist Church and attended by pupils of several denominations. As the non-Roman Catholic population dwindled Blackwatertown Primary School ceased to be viable and closed. The other two schools amalgamated and formed a new school known as St Jarlath's Primary School.
Sport
The local GAA club, Port Mór, plays at Junior level in county competitions.
The local Boxing Club is St Jarlaths ABC.
The ancient sport of Road Bowling, known as Bullets, is still played along country roads. Where two players throw a small metal ball (bullet) is thrown along a set distance on a road. The winner is the player who finishes in the least number of throws. This sport is very popular in most parts of County Armagh and parts of Cork.