Ballyronan
Encyclopedia
Ballyronan is a village
and townland
in County Londonderry
, Northern Ireland
, on the shores of Lough Neagh
. The village is 5 miles (8 km) from Magherafelt
and 12 miles (19 km) from Cookstown
, and is within the Cookstown District
close to its border with Magherafelt District
.
for manufacturing spades and soon afterwards erected stores. This led to the building of quays and the formation of a port, which greatly benefited the surrounding countryside. A large distillery was erected in 1824, and a brewery in 1830, by Messrs. Gaussen and Sons. Vessels of about 50 tons burden plyed regularly between the village and Belfast
, exporting wheat, fruit, spirits, ale, and freestone, and bringing back barley, timber, slate, iron, wine and groceries.
The village was well situated for trade as besides being on Lough Neagh
, several roads diverge from it. The village was situated on the estate of the Salters Company of London. Near it are the ruins of Salterstown Castle.
(1919-1922) an RIC sergeant, Frederick Frizelle and two Special Constables, Edward Hegarty and Thomas Hunter were returning from patrol when they were ambushed and all three killed. Three Catholics were killed in reprisals in neighbouring villages. Two of those killed were John Carolan and his nephew, Michael Kilmartin. Within a week of these killings three young Catholic brothers were killed in Desertmartin
, County Londonderry and a number of Catholic houses burned after an attack by loyalists.
More recently, Eugene Martin, a Catholic civilian was murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on 2 February 1993.
Winston Finlay, a Protestant, shot in front of his wife , by the IRA , as he arrived at his home in Ballyronan. The gunmen opened fire as he got out of the car to open the garage door to allow his wife to drive in. He had previously been a fulltime UDR soldier serving in the Intelligence Cell in Magherafelt
, County Londonderry and had also served in the RAF for 14 years. He was a member of the Ballyronan Orange Lodge and was a serving member of the RUCR when he was murdered.
. This ward elects six councillors to the 16-person council. At the 2005 election, there were two Social Democratic and Labour Party
and two Sinn Féin
members chosen to represent this ward, as well as one Ulster Unionist
and one Democratic Unionist
. Notably, this ward did not see an election, as the number of candidates standing for office was the same as the number of seats available. Ballyronan is within the Mid Ulster Northern Ireland Assembly constituency
and UK Parliament constituency
.
, The Loup
, Magherafelt
and Toome
.
and Moneymore
. The main advantage of this route is that it incorporates the Dual Carriageway between Moneymore and Cookstown, however the B18 from The Loup to Moneymore has dangerous hairpins. A more sensible route is through Ballinderry
and Coagh
.
. At the marina, a community centre was built, housing businesses and community groups. The facilities also include slipway
s, a safe harbour with 72 berth
s, a boat park, a play park, and picnic areas.
when first called into the Irish squad. Lord Chichester was the inaugural president of the Irish FA, and Moyola Park
the first ever winners of the Irish Cup
.
Arthur Gaussen won his first two caps while with Moyola Park, and the remaining four later in the decade while playing for Magharafelt F.C. Gaussen would later become a Justice of the Peace and Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry. Gaussen Villas in Ballyronan is named in recognition to his family. Representative Honours: Ireland: 6 Full Caps (1884–1889).
Gaelic Football
is a popular sport in the area, with The Loup being the local Gaelic Athletic Association
club. Other neighbouring clubs are Ballymaguigan
, Ardboe
and Ballinderry
.
Since 2001 the village has hosted the Lough Neagh Triathlon each summer. The event has also doubled as the Irish Triathlon Championships. Fishing and sailing are also popular in and around Ballyronan.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
in County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, on the shores of Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
. The village is 5 miles (8 km) from Magherafelt
Magherafelt
Magherafelt is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 people recorded in the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of County Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the area...
and 12 miles (19 km) from Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
, and is within the Cookstown District
Cookstown District Council
Cookstown District Council is a district council covering an area largely in County Tyrone and partly in County Londonderry. Council headquarters are in Cookstown. Small towns in the council area include Pomeroy, Moneymore, Coagh and Stewartstown and in the east the area is bounded by Lough Neagh...
close to its border with Magherafelt District
Magherafelt District Council
Magherafelt District Council is a district council in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Council headquarters are in Magherafelt. The Council area stretches from Lough Neagh and the River Bann in the east and into the Sperrin Mountains in the west and is divided by the Moyola River. It covers...
.
History
The village was founded by Daniel Gaussen in 1788. He built a forge on the shore of Lough NeaghLough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
for manufacturing spades and soon afterwards erected stores. This led to the building of quays and the formation of a port, which greatly benefited the surrounding countryside. A large distillery was erected in 1824, and a brewery in 1830, by Messrs. Gaussen and Sons. Vessels of about 50 tons burden plyed regularly between the village and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, exporting wheat, fruit, spirits, ale, and freestone, and bringing back barley, timber, slate, iron, wine and groceries.
The village was well situated for trade as besides being on Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
, several roads diverge from it. The village was situated on the estate of the Salters Company of London. Near it are the ruins of Salterstown Castle.
The Troubles
During the Irish War of IndependenceIrish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
(1919-1922) an RIC sergeant, Frederick Frizelle and two Special Constables, Edward Hegarty and Thomas Hunter were returning from patrol when they were ambushed and all three killed. Three Catholics were killed in reprisals in neighbouring villages. Two of those killed were John Carolan and his nephew, Michael Kilmartin. Within a week of these killings three young Catholic brothers were killed in Desertmartin
Desertmartin
Desertmartin 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...
, County Londonderry and a number of Catholic houses burned after an attack by loyalists.
More recently, Eugene Martin, a Catholic civilian was murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on 2 February 1993.
Winston Finlay, a Protestant, shot in front of his wife , by the IRA , as he arrived at his home in Ballyronan. The gunmen opened fire as he got out of the car to open the garage door to allow his wife to drive in. He had previously been a fulltime UDR soldier serving in the Intelligence Cell in Magherafelt
Magherafelt
Magherafelt is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 people recorded in the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of County Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the area...
, County Londonderry and had also served in the RAF for 14 years. He was a member of the Ballyronan Orange Lodge and was a serving member of the RUCR when he was murdered.
Governance
Ballyronan constitutes part of the Ballinderry ward (named after the Ballinderry River) of Cookstown District CouncilCookstown District Council
Cookstown District Council is a district council covering an area largely in County Tyrone and partly in County Londonderry. Council headquarters are in Cookstown. Small towns in the council area include Pomeroy, Moneymore, Coagh and Stewartstown and in the east the area is bounded by Lough Neagh...
. This ward elects six councillors to the 16-person council. At the 2005 election, there were two Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
and two Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
members chosen to represent this ward, as well as one Ulster Unionist
Ulster Unionist Party
The Ulster Unionist Party – sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or, in a historic sense, simply the Unionist Party – is the more moderate of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland...
and one Democratic Unionist
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
. Notably, this ward did not see an election, as the number of candidates standing for office was the same as the number of seats available. Ballyronan is within the Mid Ulster Northern Ireland Assembly constituency
Mid Ulster (Assembly constituency)
Mid Ulster is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland-only election for the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1973...
and UK Parliament constituency
Mid Ulster (UK Parliament constituency)
Mid Ulster is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons.-Boundaries:The constituency was created in 1950 when the old two-seat constituency of Fermanagh and Tyrone was abolished as part of the final move to single member seats...
.
Geography
The village is a cluster settlement, built around the junction of four roads which pass through the village. These roads go to CoaghCoagh
Coagh is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, situated five miles east of Cookstown. Part of the village also extends into County Londonderry. It had a population of 545 people in the 2001 Census...
, The Loup
The Loup
Loup or The Loup is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies near the western shore of Lough Neagh between Moneymore, Magherafelt, Ballyronan and Coagh...
, Magherafelt
Magherafelt
Magherafelt is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 people recorded in the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of County Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the area...
and Toome
Toome
Toome or Toom is a small village and townland on the northwest corner of Lough Neagh in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 722.-History:...
.
Places in Ballyronan
- Lindsayville
- Lovedale
- Gaussen Villas
- Ashleigh Park
- Ronan Manor
- Quay Court
- Cove Close
- The Moorings (consisting of Lough Way, Lough Drive and Lough Grove)
- The Marina Complex (consisting of a Caravan and Camping Park, A Woodland Area, Two play parks, A small beach and births for boats)
Road to Cookstown
There are two different routes to Cookstown, each of equal distnace and duration. Most people in the village travel via The LoupThe Loup
Loup or The Loup is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies near the western shore of Lough Neagh between Moneymore, Magherafelt, Ballyronan and Coagh...
and Moneymore
Moneymore
Moneymore is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 1,369 in the 2001 Census.It is an example of a Plantation village in Mid-Ulster. It was the first town in Ulster to have piped water.-Geography:...
. The main advantage of this route is that it incorporates the Dual Carriageway between Moneymore and Cookstown, however the B18 from The Loup to Moneymore has dangerous hairpins. A more sensible route is through Ballinderry
Ballinderry
Ballinderry is a small civil and ecclesiastical parish on both sides of the County Londonderry / County Tyrone border in Northern Ireland. It is a rural parish of about 350 houses and lies on the western shores of Lough Neagh....
and Coagh
Coagh
Coagh is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, situated five miles east of Cookstown. Part of the village also extends into County Londonderry. It had a population of 545 people in the 2001 Census...
.
Amenities
The village centre contains a shop and pubs. There is a marina on the shores of Lough NeaghLough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
. At the marina, a community centre was built, housing businesses and community groups. The facilities also include slipway
Slipway
A slipway, boat slip or just a slip, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers and flying boats on their undercarriage. The...
s, a safe harbour with 72 berth
Berth (moorings)
A berth is a location in a port or harbour used specifically for mooring vessels while not at sea.-Locations in a port:Berth is the term used in ports and harbors to define a specific location where a vessel may be berthed, usually for the purposes of loading and unloading.Most berths will be...
s, a boat park, a play park, and picnic areas.
Sport
Arthur David Ash Gaussen was the first and so far only internationally capped person from the village. Playing for Moyola Park on the grounds of Lord Spencer Chichester's estate in CastledawsonCastledawson
Castledawson is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is mostly within the townland of Shanemullagh , about four miles from the north-western shore of Lough Neagh, and close to the market town of Magherafelt...
when first called into the Irish squad. Lord Chichester was the inaugural president of the Irish FA, and Moyola Park
Moyola Park
Moyola Park Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course set in 130 acres of mature wooded parkland in the Shanemullagh Estate at Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1977 by James Chichester-Clark and his wife on family land at Moyola Park...
the first ever winners of the Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
.
Arthur Gaussen won his first two caps while with Moyola Park, and the remaining four later in the decade while playing for Magharafelt F.C. Gaussen would later become a Justice of the Peace and Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry. Gaussen Villas in Ballyronan is named in recognition to his family. Representative Honours: Ireland: 6 Full Caps (1884–1889).
Gaelic Football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
is a popular sport in the area, with The Loup being the local Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club. Other neighbouring clubs are Ballymaguigan
Ballymaguigan GAC
St. Trea's Ballymaguigan GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballymaguigan, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They play in the Derry league and championships. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football....
, Ardboe
Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa GAC
Ard Bó Uí Dhonnabhain Rossa Cuman Lúthchleas Gael are a club based in east County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, close to the shores of Lough Neagh. It and Moortown St. Malachy's both draw players from the same parish, Ardboe...
and Ballinderry
Ballinderry Shamrocks
Ballinderry Shamrocks GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballinderry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
.
Since 2001 the village has hosted the Lough Neagh Triathlon each summer. The event has also doubled as the Irish Triathlon Championships. Fishing and sailing are also popular in and around Ballyronan.