Local time Tuesday 8:14 AM | Province Ulster | |
![]() | ||
Weather 2°C, Wind SE at 11 km/h, 97% Humidity |
Desertmartin ([ˈdɛzərtˈmartn], from Irish Díseart Máirtín, meaning 'hermitage of St. Martin') is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is four miles from Magherafelt, at the foot of Slieve Gallion. In the 2001 Census Desertmartin greater area had a population of 1,276. It had a population of 2257 in 1837 and 3101 in 1910. It lies within Desertmartin parish, Mid-Ulster District, and the historic barony of Loughinsholin. Neighbouring settlements include Draperstown, Magherafelt, Moneymore, and Tobermore.
Contents
- Map of Desertmartin Magherafelt UK
- History
- Religious buildings
- Schools
- Slieve Gallion
- Transport
- People
- Sport
- References
Map of Desertmartin, Magherafelt, UK
History
When County Coleraine was created in 1585, its administration was meant to be carried out in the town of Coleraine. However, the jail and courthouse were built in Desertmartin, the middle of the Barony of Loughinsholin, which then lay in neighbouring County Tyrone. After the Flight of the Earls the escheated land was transferred to County Coleraine. The enlarged county was renamed County Londonderry.
Religious buildings
Schools
Slieve Gallion
Desertmartin lies on the foot of Slieve Gallion, on the eastern edge of the Sperrin Mountains. It has two peaks: the southwestern peak at Glenarudda Mountain and Tintagh Mountain reaches a height of 528 metres (1,730 ft), and is the 397th highest peak in Ireland; the northeastern peak reaches a height of 496 metres (1,630 ft), and is the 469th highest peak in Ireland; it is also the easternmost mountain-top in the Sperrins.
Transport
Desertmartin railway station between Magherafelt and Draperstown opened on 20 July 1883, shut for passengers on 1 October 1930, and shut altogether on 3 July 1950.
there are many other forms of transport available, such as buses and cars.
People
The parents of Declan Donnelly from the Ant & Dec duo were from the Desertmartin area before moving to Newcastle in the 1950s
Tom Paulin (b. 1949) is a major Northern Irish poet, essayist, editor and lecturer, who has written a poem entitled Desertmartin.