Ardboe
Ardboe (from Irish: Ard Bó meaning "height of the cows"[1]) is a Loughshore village in the north east of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is near the western shore of Lough Neagh and lies within the Cookstown District Council area. The village has recently been in the news due to extensive local objections to British military activity in the area,[2]
Ardboe Development Association, which developed a small business park, and Ardboe Community Group are based in the village.[3]
History
During World War II, in 1941, a RAF station was built in the townland of Kinrush in Ardboe. Cluntoe Airfield was initially used by the Royal Air Force, but quickly handed over as a training station for the United States Army Air Forces, and by 1943, over 3,500 troops were stationed there. By 1946 the war was over and the Americans had left. The RAF kept the airfield ticking over and it was reopened in 1952 as a training station for pilots going to the Korean War. By 1955 it closed for good.[4][5] Many of the remains of the Cluntoe Airfield around Ardboe can still be seen.
The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Ardboe, which includes a list of incidents in Ardboe during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
Places of interest
- One of the finest examples of the Irish High cross in Ulster, can be found in Ardboe and is located on a small hillock close to the shores of Ardboe Lough. Ardboe High Cross (Irish: Seanchrois Ard Bó) which dates to the 9th/10th century, is all that now remains of a 6th century monastery, which was established by Saint Colman mac Aed.[1] The Cross, made of sandstone, stands about eighteen feet high. Although slightly weathered and damaged - emigrants known as the O'Neill clan in the earlier part of this century often took with them a small chip of stone from the cross - Ardboe High Cross is a superb example of figure carving incorporating 22 panels of sculpture of biblical events.[6]
- The adjoining graveyard was the site of a tree, known locally as the Ardboe Pin Tree, into which people had traditionally put coins or pins, believing it to cure them of ailments. The tree was blown down during the St Stephen's Day storms of 1998.
- The Battery Harbour, in the townland of Kinturk, with public access to Lough Neagh, is the base for Lough Neagh Rescue.[4]
- Coyle’s Cottage is a 300 year old restored fisherman’s cottage in the townland of Aneeterbeg. It is the home of the Muintirevlin Historical Society and Gort Moss Walking Club and hosts music nights and traditional music classes.[4]
- Ardboe has a strong Gaelic football tradition and there is local rivalry between the O'Dononvan Rossa's and the nearby St Malachy's in Moortown.
Commerce
Ardboe has 3 Shops within half a mile of each other. The main one (Forbes) is a subsidiary of SPAR and has its own Tim Hortons kiosk. The shop has won awards for best Rural Store in Northern Ireland and is involved in Cookstown District Councill's Fuel Poverty Scheme. The other two shops are The Diamond and Mc Convilles.
Events
- The Auld Lammas Fair is a popular event held each August in Ardboe, attracting hundreds of people to the shores of Lough Neagh. Activities include traditional music performances.[4]
Notable people
- Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer Matt Devlin who took part in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike and was later a leading member of Sinn Féin in County Westmeath
- Tyrone Gaelic footballers Tommy McGuigan, Brian McGuigan and their father, Frank McGuigan, are from the area.
- Polly Devlin, author, journalist, broadcaster and film-maker.[4]
- Diane McCormick, ceramics artist.
- Kyle Coney, Tyrone minor Gaelic player
- Screenwriter and member of the Horslips, Barry Devlin, brother of Polly Devlin and brother in law of Seamus Heaney
Communications
- Telephone Numbers in Ardboe either begin with 867 Coagh or 877 Stewartstown. Most numbers begin 867, 877 applies around the Carnan and Killycoply area
Sport
Education
- St. Particks Primary School, Mullanahoe
See also
References
External links
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