| Ballyronan | |
| Irish: Baile uí Rónáin | |
The village centre |
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Ballyronan
Ballyronan shown within Northern Ireland |
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| Population | 250 - 600 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| Irish grid reference | H9485 |
| - Belfast | 38 miles |
| District | Cookstown |
| County | County Londonderry |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MAGHERAFELT |
| Postcode district | BT45 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | Mid Ulster |
| NI Assembly | Mid Ulster |
| List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • County Londonderry | |
Ballyronan (from Irish: Baile uí Rónáin meaning "Ó Rónáin's townland")[1][2] is a village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on the shores of Lough Neagh. The village is 5 miles (8 km) from Magherafelt and 12 miles (19 km) from Cookstown, and is within the Cookstown District close to its border with Magherafelt District.
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The village was founded by Daniel Gaussen in 1788. He built a forge on the shore of Lough Neagh for manufacturing spades and soon afterwards erected stores. This led to the building of quays and the formation of a port, which greatly benefited the surrounding countryside. A large distillery was erected in 1824, and a brewery in 1830, by Messrs. Gaussen and Sons. Vessels of about 50 tons burden plyed regularly between the village and Belfast, exporting wheat, fruit, spirits, ale, and freestone, and bringing back barley, timber, slate, iron, wine and groceries.[3]
The village was well situated for trade as besides being on Lough Neagh, several roads diverge from it. The village was situated on the estate of the Salters Company of London. Near it are the ruins of Salterstown Castle.
During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1922) an RIC sergeant, Frederick Frizelle and two Special Constables, Edward Hegarty and Thomas Hunter were returning from patrol when they were ambushed and all three killed. Three Catholics were killed in reprisals in neighbouring villages. Two of those killed were John Carolan and his nephew, Michael Kilmartin. Within a week of these killings three young Catholic brothers were killed in Desertmartin, County Londonderry and a number of Catholic houses burned after an attack by loyalists.
More recently, Eugene Martin, a Catholic civilian was murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on 2 February 1993. Winston Finlay, a Protestant, shot in front of his wife , by the IRA , as he arrived at his home in Ballyronan. The gunmen opened fire as he got out of the car to open the garage door to allow his wife to drive in. He had previously been a fulltime UDR soldier serving in the Intelligence Cell in Magherafelt, County Londonderry and had also served in the RAF for 14 years. He was a member of the Ballyronan Orange Lodge and was a serving member of the RUCR when he was murdered.[4]
Ballyronan constitutes part of the Ballinderry ward (named after the Ballinderry River) of Cookstown District Council. This ward elects six councillors to the 16-person council. At the 2005 election, there were two Social Democratic and Labour Party and two Sinn Féin members chosen to represent this ward, as well as one Ulster Unionist and one Democratic Unionist. Notably, this ward did not see an election, as the number of candidates standing for office was the same as the number of seats available.[5] Ballyronan is within the Mid Ulster Northern Ireland Assembly constituency and UK Parliament constituency.
The village is a cluster settlement, built around the junction of four roads which pass through the village. These roads go to Coagh, The Loup, Magherafelt and Toome.
There are two different routes to Cookstown, each of equal distnace and duration. Most people in the village travel via The Loup and Moneymore. The main advantage of this route is that it incorporates the Dual Carriageway between Moneymore and Cookstown, however the B18 from The Loup to Moneymore has dangerous hairpins. A more sensible route is through Ballinderry and Coagh.
2001 Census
48% Protestant 52% Roman Catholic
The village centre contains a shop and pubs. There is a marina on the shores of Lough Neagh. At the marina, a community centre was built, housing businesses and community groups. The facilities also include slipways, a safe harbour with 72 berths, a boat park, a play park, and picnic areas.
Arthur David Ash Gaussen was the first and so far only internationally capped person from the village. Playing for Moyola Park on the grounds of Lord Spencer Chichester's estate in Castledawson when first called into the Irish squad. Lord Chichester was the inaugural president of the Irish FA, and Moyola Park the first ever winners of the Irish Cup. Arthur Gaussen won his first two caps while with Moyola Park, and the remaining four later in the decade while playing for Magharafelt F.C. Gaussen would later become a Justice of the Peace and Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry. Gaussen Villas in Ballyronan is named in recognition to his family. Representative Honours: Ireland: 6 Full Caps (1884–1889).
Gaelic Football is a popular sport in the area, with The Loup being the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. Other neighbouring clubs are Ballymaguigan, Ardboe and Ballinderry.
Since 2001 the village has hosted the Lough Neagh Triathlon each summer. The event has also doubled as the Irish Triathlon Championships.[6] Fishing and sailing are also popular in and around Ballyronan.