Limavady
Encyclopedia
Limavady is a market town
in County Londonderry
, Northern Ireland
, with Binevenagh
as a backdrop. It lies 17 miles (27.4 km) east of Derry
and 14 miles (22.5 km) south west of Coleraine
. It had a population of 12,135 people in the 2001 Census
, an increase of some 17% compared to 1991. In the 30 years after 1971 Limavady’s population almost doubled.
. One of the distinctive features of the town’s growth has been the predominant southward and eastward expansion of its suburbs, with the River Roe flood plain continuing to contain the town to the west and north. From mid 1988 to mid 2004, a total of 1,332 dwellings were built in the town, mainly at Bovally along the south eastern edge of the town. The large industrial estate at Aghanloo is 3 km north of the town.
, who presided over a meeting of the Kings at Mullagh Hill near Limavady in 575 AD, a location which is now part of the Roe Park Golf Resort.
Celtic Ireland was divided into kingdoms, each ruled by their own family or clan. In the Limavady area, the predominate family was the O'Cahans. Their mark is found everywhere in the town and surrounding area. O'Cahan's Rock is one of Limavady's main historical points. This is where, according to local myth, a dog belonging to one of the Chiefs jumped the river to get help from nearby clans after a surprise enemy attack. This gave Limavady its name, Limavady being the anglicised version of Leim an Mhadaidh, which means leap of the dog. This rock, along with other relics of Limavady's history, can be seen at Roe Valley Country Park.
The town developed from a small Plantation
settlement founded in the early 17th century. It had an early association with the linen
industry, but did not benefit from subsequent expansion of linen manufacturing in the 19th century. as a result it remained a modest sized market town until the late 20th century.
During the troubles
in Northern Ireland, four people were killed in or near Limavady by the IRA
. Two were members of the security forces and two were civilians who were killed by a bomb as they drove past Limavady RUC
station.
of Rathbrady Beg in the parish
of Drumachose and was original known as Newtown Limavady. Over time, the urban area has expanded into the surrounding townlands. These include:
are based on Connell Street. Together with the neighbouring district of Coleraine
, it forms the East Londonderry
constituency for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly
.
collected by Jane Ross in the mid-19th century from a local fiddle player. The tune was later (ca 1913) used for the song Danny Boy
.
Between the 12th and 17th centuries the area was ruled by the O'Cahan
clan. World famous song Danny Boy is taken from a melody composed by O’Cahan bard Rory Dall O’Cahan. The original version concerns the passing of the Chief Cooey-na-Gall whose death brought an end to a long line of O’Cahan chiefs in Northern Ireland.
, 15 km to the west, and the port of Derry, 22 km to the west.
Gaelscoil Leim an mhadaidh
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
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...
, with Binevenagh
Binevenagh
Binevenagh or Benevenagh marks the western extent of the Antrim Plateau formed around 60 million years ago by molten lava. The plateau and steep cliffs extend for over 6 miles across the peninsula of Magilligan and dominating the skyline over the villages of Bellarena, Downhill, Castlerock and...
as a backdrop. It lies 17 miles (27.4 km) east of Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
and 14 miles (22.5 km) south west of Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
. It had a population of 12,135 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....
, an increase of some 17% compared to 1991. In the 30 years after 1971 Limavady’s population almost doubled.
Features
During the past 50 years the town has experienced sustained growth, related to significant development of modern industry and its perception as an attractive residential town. Limavady is a prosperous service centre for the Roe valley, but as a retail centre it is subject to increasing competition from Derry, Coleraine and to a lesser extent BallymenaBallymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
. One of the distinctive features of the town’s growth has been the predominant southward and eastward expansion of its suburbs, with the River Roe flood plain continuing to contain the town to the west and north. From mid 1988 to mid 2004, a total of 1,332 dwellings were built in the town, mainly at Bovally along the south eastern edge of the town. The large industrial estate at Aghanloo is 3 km north of the town.
History
Limavady and its surrounding settlements derive from Celtic roots, although no-one is sure about the exact date of Limavady's origins. Estimates date from around 5 AD. Early records tell of Saint ColumbaColumba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
, who presided over a meeting of the Kings at Mullagh Hill near Limavady in 575 AD, a location which is now part of the Roe Park Golf Resort.
Celtic Ireland was divided into kingdoms, each ruled by their own family or clan. In the Limavady area, the predominate family was the O'Cahans. Their mark is found everywhere in the town and surrounding area. O'Cahan's Rock is one of Limavady's main historical points. This is where, according to local myth, a dog belonging to one of the Chiefs jumped the river to get help from nearby clans after a surprise enemy attack. This gave Limavady its name, Limavady being the anglicised version of Leim an Mhadaidh, which means leap of the dog. This rock, along with other relics of Limavady's history, can be seen at Roe Valley Country Park.
The town developed from a small Plantation
Plantation 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...
settlement founded in the early 17th century. It had an early association with the linen
Linen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
industry, but did not benefit from subsequent expansion of linen manufacturing in the 19th century. as a result it remained a modest sized market town until the late 20th century.
During the troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in Northern Ireland, four people were killed in or near Limavady by the IRA
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
. Two were members of the security forces and two were civilians who were killed by a bomb as they drove past Limavady RUC
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...
station.
Townlands
Limavady sprang up within the townlandTownland
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...
of Rathbrady Beg in the parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of Drumachose and was original known as Newtown Limavady. Over time, the urban area has expanded into the surrounding townlands. These include:
- Bovally
- Coolessan
- Enagh
- Killane
- Rathbrady Beg
- Rathbrady More
Politics
The headquarters of Limavady Borough CouncilLimavady Borough Council
Limavady Borough Council is a Local Council in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Its headquarters is in the town of Limavady. The Borough has a population of over 32,000 with 63% of the population living in a rural setting. It covers an area of 586 square kilometres and includes the valley...
are based on Connell Street. Together with the neighbouring district of Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
, it forms the East Londonderry
East Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)
East Londonderry is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons.-Boundaries:The seat was created in boundary changes in 1983, as part of an expansion of Northern Ireland's constituencies from 12 to 17, and was predominantly made up from the old Londonderry constituency...
constituency for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
.
Places of interest
- Limavady lies in the scenic Roe Valley area and the Roe Valley Country ParkRoe Valley Country ParkThe Roe Valley Country Park is a forested area containing part of the River Roe, south west of Limavady in Northern Ireland. It is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which is part of the Department of the Environment of Northern Ireland....
on the River RoeRiver Roe (Northern Ireland)The River Roe flows north from Glenshane in the Sperrin Mountains to Lough Foyle, via the settlements of Dungiven, Burnfoot, Limavady and Myroe. The river is contained within County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.- Etymology :...
lies to the south west of the town. - The birthplace of New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
prime minister William MasseyWilliam MasseyWilliam Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
is on Irish Green Street. Nearby Massey Avenue is also named after him. - The archaeologically significant Broighter GoldBroighter GoldThe Broighter Gold or more correctly, the Broighter Hoard, is a hoard of gold artefacts from the Iron Age of the 1st century BC that were found in 1896 by Tom Nicholl on farmland near Limavady, Northern Ireland. The hoard includes a gold boat, a gold torc and bowl and some other jewellery...
collection was found nearby in 1896. It is currently in the National MuseumNational Museum of IrelandThe National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
in Dublin. - Jane Ross, who first transcribed Londonderry AirLondonderry AirLondonderry Air is an air that originated from County Londonderry in Ireland. It is popular among the Irish diaspora and is very well known throughout the world. The tune is played as the victory anthem of Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games. "Danny Boy" is a popular set of lyrics to the...
, was born and lived in Limavady. A plaque is shown above her old house on Main Street.
Danny Boy
Limavady is most famous for the tune Londonderry AirLondonderry Air
Londonderry Air is an air that originated from County Londonderry in Ireland. It is popular among the Irish diaspora and is very well known throughout the world. The tune is played as the victory anthem of Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games. "Danny Boy" is a popular set of lyrics to the...
collected by Jane Ross in the mid-19th century from a local fiddle player. The tune was later (ca 1913) used for the song Danny Boy
Danny Boy
-Background:The words to "Danny Boy" were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910. Although the lyrics were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit the "Londonderry Air" in 1913, after his sister-in-law in the U.S. sent him a copy. Ernestine...
.
Between the 12th and 17th centuries the area was ruled by the O'Cahan
O'Cahan
O'Cahan is the name of a significant clan in Ulster, a province of Ireland. It has been angiclized to O'Kane, Kane and variations including, O'Keane, O'Kean, O'Keen, O'Keene, Keen, Keene, Kain, O'Kaine, and similar variations thereof. They are descended from Eógan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
clan. World famous song Danny Boy is taken from a melody composed by O’Cahan bard Rory Dall O’Cahan. The original version concerns the passing of the Chief Cooey-na-Gall whose death brought an end to a long line of O’Cahan chiefs in Northern Ireland.
Events
The town hosts international events such as the Danny Boy Festival, the Limavady Jazz and Blues Festival and the Roe Valley Folk Festival.Transport
Limavady is in close proximity to City of Derry AirportCity of Derry Airport
City of Derry Airport is an airport located northeast of Derry, Northern Ireland. It is located on the south bank of Lough Foyle, a short distance from the village of Eglinton and from the city centre...
, 15 km to the west, and the port of Derry, 22 km to the west.
Road
- In 2003 a road bypass was completed to the north of Limavady at a cost of £11.5 million. This bypass aimed to reduce the time taken to travel on the A2 between DerryDerryDerry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
and ColeraineColeraineColeraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
.
Rail
- The Limavady RailwayLimavady railwayThe Limavady Railway link by means of a branch line to the main Derry - Belfast line was closed on 2 May 1955. The spur ran from Limavady Junction to Limavady Station. The line then continued a further 7 miles to Dungiven...
was a branch line to the main DerryDerryDerry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
– 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...
line. Limavady station opened on 29 December 1852, closed for passenger traffic on 3 July 1950 and finally closed altogether on 2 May 1955. Limavady Junction station opened on 1 March 1855 and finally closed on 17 October 1976. Limavady is no longer served by rail links – the nearest station is at BellarenaBellarenaBellarena is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is on the A2 coastal road between Limavady and Coleraine, 6 miles north of Limavady. It is sometimes referred to as Ballyscullion or Drumavalley. In the 2001 Census the population was 291...
, approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the town.
Canal
- The Broharris CanalBroharris CanalThe Broharris Canal is a canal situated in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was constructed in the 1820s when a cut, some 3.2 km long on the south shore of Lough Foyle near Ballykelly was made in the direction of Limavady...
was constructed in the 1820s when a cut, some 2 miles (3.2 km) long on the south shore of Lough FoyleLough FoyleLough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...
near Ballykelly was made in the direction of Limavady. The inhabitants of Limavady appealed for the building of a canal from Lough Foyle to the town but were turned down, and the Broharris Canal was the nearest they came to achieving such a navigable link.
Education
There are four primary schools, three secondary schools, a regional college and a special needs school in Limavady. Limavady's schools are closely located in an 'education circle'. The three secondary schools are all located along the same stretch of road (Ballyquin Road and Irish Green Street), with Limegrove Special School opposite Limavady Grammar School, Termoncanice Primary opposite Limavady High School and St. Mary's High School. Limavady Central Primary School is located a short distance from the other schools.Primary schools
- Termoncanice Primary School
- Roe Valley Integrated Primary
- Limavady Central Primary School
- Drumachose Primary School
Gaelscoil Leim an mhadaidh
Secondary schools
- St Mary's High SchoolSt Mary's High School (Limavady)St Mary's High School is a secondary school situated in Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is one of three secondary schools in Limavady, the others being, Limavady High School and Limavady Grammar School. St. Mary's however is predominantly Roman Catholic. St. Marys is the only...
- Limavady Grammar SchoolLimavady Grammar SchoolLimavady Grammar School, styled locally as the Grammar, is a secondary school in Limavady, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Situated on the Ballyquin Road, it is close to other schools in the town, including Limavady High School and St. Mary's High School...
- Limavady High SchoolLimavady High SchoolLimavady High School is a secondary school in the North-Western town of Limavady in Northern Ireland. It currently around 800 pupils enrolled. The school is part of the Limavady Learning Partnership.-History:...
Sport
- Limavady United F.C. football club
- Wolfhounds GACLimavady GACLimavady Wolfhounds GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for both Gaelic football, and Camogie....
is 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...
club - Newtown Y.F.C.
- Drummond Cricket Club
- Limavady Cricket ClubLimavady Cricket ClubLimavady Cricket Club is a cricket club in Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, playing in North West Senior League 1.The club amalgamated with Limavady Rugby Club in 1968.-Honours:*Irish Senior Cup: 3**1994, 1997, 2004*Ulster Cup:1**2008...
- Limavady Rugby Club
- Roe Valley F.C.Roe Valley F.C.Roe Valley Football Club, from Limavady, County Londonderry, is an intermediate-level football club playing in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League in Northern Ireland.-External links:...
2001 Census
Limavady is classified as a medium town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 12,135 people living in Limavady. Of these:- 25.4% were aged under 16 years and 14.3% were aged 60 and over
- 48.8% of the population were male and 51.2% were female
- 41.6% were from a 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"...
background and 56.5% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background - 5.1% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
People
Notable people who have come from or have been resident in the town and environs include:- John DeighanJohn DeighanJohn Deighan is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Derry, with whom he has won a National League title. He plays his club football for Limavady Wolfhounds GAC. He plays as goalkeeper for Derry.-Playing career:-Inter-county:...
– Current DerryDerry GAAThe Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er. - Victor GriffinVictor GriffinThe Very Reverend Victor Gilbert Benjamin Griffin , is a Church of Ireland priest, theologian and author. He served as Dean of St...
– formerly Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, DublinSt. Patrick's Cathedral, DublinSaint Patrick's Cathedral , or more formally, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Patrick is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Dublin, Ireland which was founded in 1191. The Church has designated it as The National Cathedral of Ireland... - Ruth KellyRuth KellyRuth Maria Kelly is a British Labour Party politician of Irish descent who was the Member of Parliament for Bolton West from 1997 until she stood down in 2010...
– Labour MP and former Cabinet Minister. - William Ferguson MasseyWilliam MasseyWilliam Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
– 19th Prime Minister of New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
(from 1912 to 1925) was born and educated in the town before migrating. - Gerry MullanGerry MullanGerry Mullan is a former Glentoran, Ballymena United, Everton and Coleraine footballer. He hails from Limavady. When Ronnie McFall signed Mullan for Glentoran in 1981 from Everton, he became the most expensive Irish League player, at £30,000. The striker scored 110 goals for Glentoran, and gained...
– Former Glentoran, EvertonEverton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern 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...
footballer. - Samuel Young (1822–1918) MP was Limavady breweryBreweryA brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
founder. - Paula Reed - Editor of GraziaGraziaGrazia is an Italian weekly women's fashion and celebrity gossip magazine, with international editions printed in France, Serbia, Australia, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Bulgaria and Germany....
magazine.
See also
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
External links
- Borough of Limavady
- Limavady and the Roe Valley by Jochen Lueg