Moneyneany

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Moneyneany mostly referred to as Moneyneena, (Irish: Magh na nIongnadh; meaning Plain of the wonders) is a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 162 people. It is situated in the Magherafelt District Council area.

Locally significant buildings include St. Eugenes (Roman Catholic) Church, which is a listed building, and a fort, which is an historic monument and an important feature in the local landscape. The Altalacky River and the Douglas River are nearby.

[edit] History

In the parish of Ballynascreen there was a holy well near the Catholic chapel of Moneyneany, and this well was defended by a magician known as Sir Volvet. The magician was so possessive of the well’s properties that he kept an earless dog, chained to the well to prevent other inhabitants of the area from benefiting from the water. Through time this well became known as Tobarawathymeel or ‘The Earless Dog’s Well’. Magical powers were not restricted to this individual, tradition says that the townland of Moneyneany derived its name from the fact that its valleys were a favourite place with the old Irish warriors to learn their exercises and also to perform great exploits and tricks by magic. It was consequently called Meen-na-neenthus or ‘The plain of wonders’.