Castlederg
Encyclopedia
Castlederg is a village
in County Tyrone
, Northern Ireland
. It lies on the River Derg and is close to the border with County Donegal
. The village has a ruined castle
and two ancient tomb
s known as the Druid's Altar and Todd's Den. It had a population of 2,758 people in the 2001 Census
.
The village plays host to several of the district's key events each year including the Derg Vintage Rally and the traditional Apple Fair which sees the apple growers of County Armagh
visit to sell their wares.
Traditionally, Castlederg was a traveller’s stop along the ancient pilgrimage route to Station Island on Lough Derg
. The town boasts ancient ruins, monastic settlements and as the stories go has connections to Davy Crockett
and Joe Sheridan, the creator of Irish coffee.
(although Strabane is a much larger town in which district council Castlederg is a part of) also trying to claim the title.
For more information see The Troubles in Castlederg
, which includes a list of incidents in Castlederg during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
was built in 1883, to link the village with the Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
at Victoria Bridge
. Castlederg railway station opened on 4 July 1884, but was finally closed on 17 April 1933.
(NISRA) (ie. with a population between 2,250 and 4,500 people).
On Census Day 29 April 2001 the resident population of Castlederg ward was 2,074. Of this population:
For more 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 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...
, 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 on the River Derg and is close to the border with County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The village has a ruined castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
and two ancient tomb
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
s known as the Druid's Altar and Todd's Den. It had a population of 2,758 people in 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....
.
The village plays host to several of the district's key events each year including the Derg Vintage Rally and the traditional Apple Fair which sees the apple growers of County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
visit to sell their wares.
Traditionally, Castlederg was a traveller’s stop along the ancient pilgrimage route to Station Island on Lough Derg
Lough Derg (Donegal)
Lough Derg is a small lake in County Donegal, Ireland, about seven kilometres north of the border village of Pettigoe...
. The town boasts ancient ruins, monastic settlements and as the stories go has connections to Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
David "Davy" Crockett was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S...
and Joe Sheridan, the creator of Irish coffee.
The Troubles
Castlederg is cited as "the most bombed small town" in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, though this dubious honour was disputed, with nearby StrabaneStrabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
(although Strabane is a much larger town in which district council Castlederg is a part of) also trying to claim the title.
For more information see The Troubles in Castlederg
The Troubles in Castlederg
The Troubles in Castlederg recounts incidents during, and the effects of the Troubles in Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.Incidents in Castlederg during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities:-1976:...
, which includes a list of incidents in Castlederg during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
Winter of 2010
Castlederg recorded a Northern Ireland record low temperature of -18.7 °C on the morning of 23rd December 2010.Transport
The narrow-gauge Castlederg and Victoria Bridge TramwayCastlederg and Victoria Bridge Tramway
The Castlederg and Victoria Bridge Tramway was a narrow gauge railway , operating in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland...
was built in 1883, to link the village with the Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
Great Northern Railway (Ireland)
The Great Northern Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The Great Northern was formed in 1876 by a merger of the Irish North Western Railway , Northern Railway of Ireland, and Ulster Railway. The Ulster Railway was the GNRI's oldest constituent, having opened between Belfast and...
at Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge, County Tyrone
Victoria Bridge is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is mostly within the townland of Breen , which is in the civil parish of Ardstraw, the barony of Strabane Lower, and Strabane District Council. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 318 people.- Housing :Four homes were...
. Castlederg railway station opened on 4 July 1884, but was finally closed on 17 April 1933.
Education
- Saint Patrick's Primary School
- Saint Eugene's High School
- Edwards Primary School
- Castlederg High School
- Erganagh primary school
- Drumnabey primary school
2001 Census
Castlederg is classified as an intermediate settlement by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research AgencyNorthern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency is an executive agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. The organisation is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics related to the economy, population and society of Northern Ireland...
(NISRA) (ie. with a population between 2,250 and 4,500 people).
On Census Day 29 April 2001 the resident population of Castlederg ward was 2,074. Of this population:
- 23.0% were under 16 years old and 22.7% were aged 60 and above;
- 48.2% of the population were male and 51.8% were female; and
- 59.0% were from a Catholic community background and 40.5% were from a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' community background.
- 6.2% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service