Coordinates: 54°44′46″N 6°18′22″W / 54.746°N 6.306°W
| Randalstown | |
| Irish: Baile Raghnail | |
  Randalstown
Randalstown shown within Northern Ireland |
|
| Population | 4,956 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| District | Antrim Borough |
| County | County Antrim |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ANTRIM |
| Postcode district | BT41 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | South Antrim |
| List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • Antrim | |
Randalstown (Irish: Baile Raghnail) is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the towns of Antrim and Toome. It had a population of 4,956 people in the 2001 Census. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town.
Contents |
History
The settlement sprang up within the townland of an Dún Mór (meaning "the great fort"), anglicised as Dunmore. Randalstown was named after the 2nd Earl and 1st Marquis of Antrim, Randal MacDonnell (1609–1683) and has strong links to the Hastings family. The original stronghold of Edenduffcarrick was built in the 16th century and changed ownership repeatedly until it was renamed Shane's Castle after the new owner, Shane Mc Brian O'Neill. The O'Neill family still reside in the estate.
Randalstown has a strong history of linen and iron industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney from the Old Bleach factory can be seen from most parts of the town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory which operated from a neighbouring site closed down in 2002.
Places of interest
- The Tudor style gateway to the Shane's Castle estate is in the town.
- Around the corner from the gateway is the seven-piered, viaduct built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the River Maine. This has had a new bridge installed and a walk path created as part of the local healthy walking areas.[1]
- Craigmore Fishery, a Fly Fishing facility is located on the outskirts of the town.
Demographics
Randalstown is classified as a Small Town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)[2] (ie with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 4,956 people living in Randalstown. Of these:
- 25.7% were aged under 16 years and 15.5% were aged 60 and over
- 48.0% of the population were male and 52.0% were female
- 70.1% were from a Catholic and 27.7% were from a Protestant background
- 3.0% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed
For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service[3]
Notable Residents
- Suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams, was born in Randalstown on 21 January 1899. He became a general practitioner and worked in Eastbourne from 1922. He was charged in 1957 with the murder of two patients but was acquitted. He was, however, suspected of causing the death of 163 other patients.[4]
- James MacCauley, founder of the Yosemite Firefall event in the United States' Yosemite National Park. Was born here in 1840 and was an off and on resident until age 17.[citation needed]
- Laurence McKeown is an author, playwright, screenwriter, and former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who took part in the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
- Michael McKay, twice winner of British Wedding Photographer of the year[5], is from Randalstown.
- Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, spent his childhood in Randalstown.
- David Neill, former Irish League footballer is from Randalstown.
- Randal Reid, currently playing for Ballymena United is from Randalstown.
- Generations of the paternal Ayre family of the Baron of Kilmarnock[6] are from Randalstown.
Education
- Mount St. Michael's Primary School
- Randalstown Central Primary School
- Maine Integrated Primary School
- St Benedicts High School formally St Olcan's High School
References
- ^ http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/news/ARCHES-begins-consultation-on-how.5144598.jp
- ^ NI Statistics and Research Agency website.
- ^ Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service website.
- ^ Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9
- ^ Michael McKay Photography
- ^ [1]
External links
See also
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