Brookeborough
Encyclopedia
Brookeborough is a village
in County Fermanagh
, Northern Ireland
. It lies between Enniskillen
and Belfast
just off the A4 trunk road
, about five miles from the County Tyrone
boundary.
According to the 2001 Census
, Brookeborough had a population of 517. The economy is heavily dependent on cattle and sheep farming. The village is in the parish of Aghavea, which is part of the Diocese of Clogher
. There are five places of Christian worship; a Roman Catholic chapel, a Methodist
church (built in 1839), an Elim Pentecostal
church, a Church of Ireland
church and a Baptist
church; three public houses; and two primary (elementary) schools.
The Boer War
memorial at the head of the town was carved by a local man named Harte in 1901. Behind it is the Lady Brooke Memorial Hall of the same date, a period building preserving all its original features including a clocktower and transverse stained glass window panels.
the area of Brookeborough was known as Achadh Lon (anglicised Aghalun); the townland in which it lies. It is believed that the Irish name refers to a "field of blackbirds". Aghalun was in the hands of the Maguire clann until the 1641 rebellion
when it was given to the Brooke family. The village was then named after Sir Henry Brooke who was granted the village in 1666 and settled in Colebrooke Park nearby.
On 1 January 1957 there was a well-known attack on Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary
barracks by the IRA during its 1950s Border Campaign
. This attack was led by Seán Garland
, and included Seán South
and Fergal O'Hanlon
, both the subjects of well-known Irish republican ballads, who were shot dead during the attack.
In 2002, the Brookeborough Community Development Association in conjunction with a similar organisation in Riverstown
, County Sligo, Republic of Ireland
launched the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative linking the two villages in a programme of cross-community/cross-border working.
On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 517 people living in Brookeborough. Of these:
For further details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
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...
in County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
, 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...
. It lies between Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
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...
just off the A4 trunk road
A4 road (Northern Ireland)
The A4 is a major road in Northern Ireland. It travels through County Armagh, County Tyrone and County Fermanagh and continues to Sligo in the Republic of Ireland as the N16....
, about five miles from the County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
boundary.
According to the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, Brookeborough had a population of 517. The economy is heavily dependent on cattle and sheep farming. The village is in the parish of Aghavea, which is part of the Diocese of Clogher
Diocese of Clogher
The Diocese of Clogher is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction recognized by the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Church:*Diocese of Clogher *Diocese of Clogher See also...
. There are five places of Christian worship; a Roman Catholic chapel, a Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
church (built in 1839), an Elim Pentecostal
Elim Pentecostal Church
The Elim Pentecostal Church is a UK-based Pentecostal Christian denomination.-History:George Jeffreys , a Welshman, founded the Elim Pentecostal Church in Monaghan, Ireland in 1915. Jeffreys was an evangelist with a Welsh Congregational church background. He was converted at age 15 during the...
church, a Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
church and a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
church; three public houses; and two primary (elementary) schools.
The Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
memorial at the head of the town was carved by a local man named Harte in 1901. Behind it is the Lady Brooke Memorial Hall of the same date, a period building preserving all its original features including a clocktower and transverse stained glass window panels.
History
Before the Plantation of UlsterPlantation of Ulster
The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation of Ulster—a province of Ireland—by people from Great Britain. Private plantation by wealthy landowners began in 1606, while official plantation controlled by King James I of England and VI of Scotland began in 1609...
the area of Brookeborough was known as Achadh Lon (anglicised Aghalun); the townland in which it lies. It is believed that the Irish name refers to a "field of blackbirds". Aghalun was in the hands of the Maguire clann until the 1641 rebellion
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
when it was given to the Brooke family. The village was then named after Sir Henry Brooke who was granted the village in 1666 and settled in Colebrooke Park nearby.
On 1 January 1957 there was a well-known attack on Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
barracks by the IRA during its 1950s Border Campaign
Border Campaign (IRA)
The Border Campaign was a campaign of guerrilla warfare carried out by the Irish Republican Army against targets in Northern Ireland, with the aim of overthrowing British rule there and creating a united Ireland.Popularly referred to as the Border Campaign, it was also referred to as the...
. This attack was led by Seán Garland
Seán Garland
Seán Garland is a former President of the Workers' Party in Ireland.-Early Life:Born at Belvedere Place, off Mountjoy Square in Dublin, Garland joined the Irish Republican Army in 1953. In 1954, he briefly joined the British Army as an IRA agent and collected intelligence on Gough Barracks in...
, and included Seán South
Seán South
Seán South was a member of an IRA military column led by Sean Garland on a raid against a Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on New Year's Day, 1957...
and Fergal O'Hanlon
Fergal O'Hanlon
Feargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon (Irish: Feargal Ó hAnnluain (b. 2 February 1936, Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland – d. 1 January 1957, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) was a member/volunteer in the Pearse Column of the Irish Republican Army....
, both the subjects of well-known Irish republican ballads, who were shot dead during the attack.
In 2002, the Brookeborough Community Development Association in conjunction with a similar organisation in Riverstown
Riverstown
Riverstown, historically called Ballyederdaowen , is a village in County Sligo, Ireland. It is located at a bridging point of the River Unshin , about 19 km south of Sligo town and 4 km east of the N4....
, County Sligo, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
launched the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative linking the two villages in a programme of cross-community/cross-border working.
Places of interest
- Colebrooke Park was recently renovated and refurbished by the present Viscount Brookeborough and his wife, Viscountess Brookeborough.
- Memorial to Seán SouthSeán SouthSeán South was a member of an IRA military column led by Sean Garland on a raid against a Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on New Year's Day, 1957...
and Fergal O'HanlonFergal O'HanlonFeargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon (Irish: Feargal Ó hAnnluain (b. 2 February 1936, Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland – d. 1 January 1957, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) was a member/volunteer in the Pearse Column of the Irish Republican Army....
at Altawalk Cross. - Brookeborough Railway Station House (Formerly on the Clogher Valley railway)
People
- John Armstrong - American Congressman and revolutionary
- Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount AlanbrookeAlan Brooke, 1st Viscount AlanbrookeField Marshal The Rt. Hon. Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO & Bar , was a senior commander in the British Army. He was the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1944...
- Soldier - Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount BrookeboroughBasil Brooke, 1st Viscount BrookeboroughBasil Stanlake Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, Bt, KG, CBE, MC, PC, HML was an Ulster Unionist politician who became the third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1943 and held office until 1963....
- Prime Minister of Northern IrelandPrime Minister of Northern IrelandThe Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
from 1943 until 1963 - Sir Victor Brooke, 3rd BaronetVictor BrookeSir Victor Alexander Brooke, 3rd Baronet , was an Anglo-Irish naturalist and baronet. He was the father of Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, and grandfather of Sir Basil Brooke, 1st Viscount Brookeborough, third Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.Brooke, whose family were...
- Naturalist - Bobbie HanveyBobbie HanveyBobbie Hanvey is a Northern Ireland photographer. In 1985, 1986, and 1987 he won the Northern Ireland Provincial Press Photographer of the Year Award for himself and the Down Recorder newspaper of Downpatrick. In 1985 and 1987 he also won the Northern Ireland overall award for ‘Best People...
- Photographer & Radio Broadcaster - Fergal O'HanlonFergal O'HanlonFeargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon Feargal O'Hanlon (Irish: Feargal Ó hAnnluain (b. 2 February 1936, Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland – d. 1 January 1957, Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland) was a member/volunteer in the Pearse Column of the Irish Republican Army....
- IRA member killed in the Brookeborough Raid - Charitie Lees SmithCharitie Lees SmithCharitie Lees Smith also known as Charitie Lees Bancroft was an Anglican Irish American hymnwriter.-Life:Charitie was born on 21 June 1841, at Bloomfield, County Dublin, the fourth child of Rev George Sidney and Charlotte Lees...
- Hymn writer - Seán SouthSeán SouthSeán South was a member of an IRA military column led by Sean Garland on a raid against a Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on New Year's Day, 1957...
- IRA member killed in the Brookeborough Raid - Sir Evelyn WrenchEvelyn WrenchSir John Evelyn Leslie Wrench, CMG, LL.D was born on 29 October 1882, in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland, the son of Frederick Stringer Wrench , an Irish Land Commissioner, and Charlotte Mary Bellingham .At the age of five years, his favorite literature...
- Editor of The SpectatorThe SpectatorThe Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
Transport
- The Clogher Valley RailwayClogher Valley RailwayThe Clogher Valley Railway was a 37 mile long narrow gauge railway in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It opened in May 1887 and closed on 1 January 1942 .-Route:...
, ran through the village from 1887 (Brookeborough station opened on 2 May 1887) until its closure on 1 January 1942. Its route started in MaguiresbridgeMaguiresbridgeMaguiresbridge is a small village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The village is named after the bridge over the Colebrooke River, first built by the local Maguire family about 1760. The village is 8 miles from Enniskillen and 3 miles from Lisnaskea....
, passing through Brookebrough, FivemiletownFivemiletownFivemiletown is a village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 16 miles east of Enniskillen and 26 miles west-south-west of Dungannon, on the A4 Enniskillen-to-Dungannon road. Its population as of 2009 is estimated to be 1,128. The village is most famous for its creamery, which...
, ClogherClogherClogher is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Blackwater, south of Omagh. The United Kingdom Census of 2001 recorded a population of 309.-History:...
, AugherAugherAugher is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 18 miles southwest of Dungannon, on the A4 Dungannon to Enniskillen road, halfway between Ballygawley and Clogher. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 399....
, BallygawleyBallygawleyBallygawley or Ballygawly is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is about southwest of Dungannon, near the meeting of the A5 Omagh–Monaghan and A4 Dungannon–Enniskillen roads....
, AughnacloyAughnacloyAughnacloy, sometimes spelt Auchnacloy , is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Close to the border with County Monaghan, the village is about southwest of Dungannon, and southeast of Ballygawley. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 801....
before eventually terminating at TynanTynanTynan is a village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies within the civil parish of Tynan and barony of Tiranny.- History :Tynan won the status as the most well preserved rural Irish village in 1993...
near CaledonCaledon, County TyroneCaledon , historically known as Kinnaird , is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is in the Clogher Valley on the banks of the River Blackwater, 7 miles from Armagh. It lies in the southeast of Tyrone and near the borders of County Armagh and County Monaghan. In the...
. - The main road to BelfastBelfastBelfast 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...
bypassed the village in the mid 1960s.
2001 Census
Brookeborough is classified as a small village or hamlet by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with a population of between 500 and 1,000 people).On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 517 people living in Brookeborough. Of these:
- 25.5% were aged under 16 years
- 16.8% were aged 60 and over
- the average age was 34.7 years (NI average age 35.8 years)
- 50.3% of the population were male and 49.7% were female
- 50.2% were from a Catholic community background
- 48.1% were from a Protestant and other Christian
- 8.2% were born outside Northern Ireland
For further details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Sport
- In his youth Roy CarrollRoy CarrollRoy Eric Carroll is a Northern Irish footballer who is currently playing for Greek Superleague club OFI Crete. He is a goalkeeper and is best known for his spells at Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, where he won the 2004 FA Cup...
, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football teamThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international goalkeeper played for the Brookeborough football team. - The local Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe 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...
team is known as Brookeborough Heber McMahon's Gaelic Football Club named after an Irish CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. The team has never won honours at Senior Championship level but has won a number of Junior, Under-age and Intermediate Level competitions.
See also
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- Market Houses in Northern IrelandMarket Houses in Northern IrelandMarket houses are a notable feature of many Northern Ireland towns with varying styles of architecture, size and ornamentation making for a most interesting feature of the streetscape. Originally there were three, four or even five bays on the ground floor which were an open arcade. An upper...