Coordinates: 54°58′00″N 6°35′00″W / 54.966667°N 6.583333°W
| Kilrea | |
| Irish: Cill Ria | |
 |
|
  Kilrea
Kilrea shown within Northern Ireland |
|
| Population | 1,513 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| District | Coleraine |
| County | County Londonderry |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLERAINE |
| Postcode district | BT51 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | East Londonderry |
| NI Assembly | East Londonderry |
| List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • County Londonderry | |
Kilrea (from the Irish: Cill Ria meaning "church on the hill") is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, close to the boundary with County Antrim. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,513 people.[1] It is situated high up the Bann Valley on a vantage point above the river.
Contents |
History
There is a tradition that St Patrick visited the area during the fifth century, a story repeated recently in the book 'The Fairy Thorn' produced by Kilrea local historians. During the Plantation of Ulster Kilrea and the surrounding townlands were gifted to the Worshipful Company of Mercers by Queen Elizabeth I.[2] Their headquarters in Ulster were at nearby Movanagher on the banks of the River Bann. Today Kilrea is a market town and commercial centre of the surrounding district. The village is centred around 'The Diamond' which includes the town's War Memorial errected in honour of Kilrea men killed in the Great War.[3]. The village is featured in the Loyalist song, Sprig of Kilrea.
The Troubles
During the Troubles, seven people were murdered by paramilitaries in Kilrea. Five were security force members killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and two were former IRA members killed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
Festival of the Fairy Thorn
A feature of Kilrea is its 'Fairy Thorn' tree in the grounds of First Kilrea Presbyterian Church. It is the focal point of the annual summer cross-community festival in the town.[4]
Kilrea Pipe Band
Kilrea Pipe Band dates from 1921. Today it participates in competitions in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland, events including those organised by local charities and community groups, and the Fairy Thorn Festival in Kilrea.[5]
People
- Martin O'Neill
- Hannah Shields, first Northern Irish woman to climb Mount Everest.[6]
- John Dallat
- Monica McWilliams
Sport
- Kilrea Angling Club
- Kilrea Camogie Club
- Kilrea Golf Club
- Kilrea Pádraig Pearses GAC
- Kilrea United Football Club
- Manor Golf and Sports Club
Education
- Kilrea Primary School
- St Columba's Primary School
- St Paul's College
- Crossroads Primary School
Religion
- Boveedy Presbyterian Church
- First Kilrea Presbyterian Church
- Kilrea Baptist Church
- Second Kilrea Presbyterian Church
- St Anne's Roman Catholic Church[7]
- St Patrick's Church of Ireland
- Drumagarner Roman Catholic Church
2001 Census
Kilrea is classified as a village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e., with population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,513 people living in Kilrea. Of these:
- 27.0% were aged under 16 years and 16.7% were aged 60 and over
- 49.0% of the population were male and 51.0% were female
- 69.3% were from a Catholic background and 29.8% were from a Protestant background
- 5.2% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed
For more details see the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service
References
- ^ River Bann, Ireland
- ^ Lewis's Topographical Directory of Ireland, 1837
- ^ Ulster War Memorials
- ^ Kilrea, Coleraine Northern Ireland Tourist Board website
- ^ Kilrea Pipe Band website
- ^ Everest climber is welcomed home - BBC News
- ^ Kilrea Parish - Derry Diocese, Ireland
See also
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
- List of towns in Northern Ireland
- Kitty the Rose of Kilrea is the title of a song by The Irish Rovers.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
