Donaghmore, County Tyrone

All you want to know about Donaghmore, County Tyrone

Donaghmore (Domhnach Mor in Irish) is a village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, about five kilometres (3 mi) northwest of the town of Dungannon. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 947 people.

1 History
- 1.1 The Troubles
2 Demographics
3 Places of interest
4 Education
5 Sport
6 References
7 See also
8 External links

History

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Donaghmore, which includes a list of incidents in Donaghmore during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Demographics

Donaghmore is classified as a Small Village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 500 and 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 947 people living in Donaghmore. Of these:

26.0% were aged under 16 years and 14.3% were aged 60 and over
46.6% of the population were male and 53.4% were female
89.2% were from a Catholic background and 10.4% were from a Protestant background

For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service

Places of interest

Donaghmore Heritage Centre is a converted National School (1885) which preserves photographs, old school roll books, land registration ledgers, documents and artefacts of local interest.

The village also features a High Cross which is six metres tall and is one of Ulster's finest Early Christian monuments. Donaghmore High Cross probably dates from the 10th century and is said to have been thrown down in the 17th century and re-erected in the 18th century.

A new primary school has been built in Donaghmore in memory of the old Sinn Féin leader, Thomas Byrne.

A stone pillar stands in the old churchyard to the memory of Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone, erected by one of his descendants.

The Bardic Theatre was formed in 1982 and after a number of years on the drama festival circuit, the group now stages classic plays, major musicals, comedies, experimental work and new writing at its own theatre on the edge of the village. Other unofficial performances are held routinely in Kieran McCauslands low public bar.

Annaghbeg Park is seen as the "Beverly Hills" of Donaghmore, with the more affluent parts of society residing there. All areas of Donaghmore are serviced by two exclusive member only Nite Clubs, known affectionly as the Top Shed and the Bunker.

The Rotharlann is unused currently, but it was busy in its heyday in the mid 1980s. Used mainly by the local cyclists, it also hosted discos that attracted youngsters from all over the country and was a local hot spot for "other" activities. A small campaign is gathering momentum to get the hall restored to its former glories.

Education

Donaghmore Primary School
St Joseph's Grammar School
St. Patrick's Primary School

The village is also mentioned in the unofficial history of rock band Led Zeppelin,The Hammer of The Gods.Bass guitarist John Paul Jones was able to trace his gynaecology on his mothers side.He claimed that his great great grand father lived close to where the bus shelter now stands.