Puneet Varma (Editor)

Magherafelt

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Population
  
8,372 (2001 Census)

County
  
County Londonderry

Sovereign state
  
United Kingdom

Local time
  
Friday 10:23 PM

Dialling code
  
028

District
  
Mid-Ulster

Country
  
Northern Ireland

Post town
  
MAGHERAFELT

Province
  
Ulster

Magherafelt

Weather
  
11°C, Wind W at 40 km/h, 95% Humidity

University
  
Northern Regional College, Magherafelt

Magherafelt (from Irish: Machaire Fíolta, meaning "plain of Fíolta") is a small town and civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 at the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of the county and is the social, economic and political hub of the area. It is part of Mid-Ulster District.

Contents

Map of Magherafelt, UK

History

Magherafelt has been documented as a town since 1425. Following the Plantation of Ulster, a central diamond has formed the heart of the town. During The Troubles in the late 20th century, 11 people were killed in or near Magherafelt in connection with the troubles.

Transport

Magherafelt railway station opened on 10 November 1856, shut for passenger traffic on 28 August 1950 and shut altogether on 1 October 1959.

Schools

Primary Schools:

  • Holy Family Primary School
  • Kilronan Special School
  • Gaelscoil an tSeanchaí
  • Naíscoil an tSeanchaí
  • Magherafelt Controlled Primary School
  • Magherafelt Primary
  • Spires Integrated Primary School

    • Secondary Schools:

  • St. Mary's Grammar School
  • Saint Pius X College
  • Rainey Endowed School
  • Sperrin Integrated College
  • Magherafelt High School

    • Sport

    Magherafelt has several sporting teams, including Magherafelt Reds, O'Donovan Rossa Magherafelt GAC, the Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club and Magherafelt Sky Blues F.C.. There is also the Mid Ulster Athletic Club,Spires CC Cycling Club. the Mid Ulster Swimming Club and the Magherafelt District Motorclub.

    2001 Census

    Magherafelt is classified as a small town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 8,372 people living in Magherafelt. Of these:

  • 27.1% were aged under 16 years and 13.7% were aged 60 and over
  • 48.7% of the population were male and 51.3% were female
  • 56.2% were from a Catholic background and 41.8% were from a Protestant background
  • 3.4% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.

    • For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service

    People

  • Joseph Burns – an Ulster Unionist member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland from 1960 – 1973
  • Paul Charles – novelist, music promoter and talent agent
  • Peter Doherty – former footballer and manager of Northern Ireland
  • Richard Ferguson – barrister and politician
  • General Fiasco – indie rock band
  • Barry Gillis – current Derry Gaelic footballer
  • Monsignor Laurence Higgins – former Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and founder of St. Lawrence Catholic Parish in Tampa, Florida
  • Harry Gregg – former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper
  • Aaron Hughes – current professional Association Footballer
  • Willie McCrea – politician and a member of the Democratic Unionist Party
  • Terry McFlynn – a current football player for Sydney FC and former Northern Ireland Under 21 player
  • Colm McGurk- All Ireland medalist in gaelic and hurling played for Derry along with brother Johnny McGurk man of the match 1993
  • Mickey Niblock – former Derry Gaelic footballer
  • Laura Pyper – actress (Hex, Reign of Fire and Headrush)
  • Dean Shiels – professional association football player
  • Kenny Shiels – current manager of Derry City
  • Sir James Starritt, KCVO – Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 1972–75

    • References

    Magherafelt Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA