Portglenone
| Portglenone | |
| Irish: Port Chluain Eoghain | |
|
|
  Portglenone shown within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 1,219 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| District | Ballymena |
| County | County Antrim |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BALLYMENA |
| Postcode district | BT44 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | North Antrim |
| NI Assembly | North Antrim |
| |
Portglenone (from Irish: Port Chluain Eoghain, meaning "The Fort of Eoghan's meadow")[1] is a village and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies 8.5 miles (14 km) west of Ballymena. It had a population of 2,900 in the 2001 Census. Portglenone is beside the smaller village of Glenone (in County Londonderry), from which it is separated by the River Bann.
History
In 1197, a castle was built there for Norman invader John de Courcy.[citation needed]
Places of interest
Portglenone Forest
Portglenone Forest Park, just outside the village, is classified as an 'Ancient Woodland', and has well marked nature trails, with the River Bann flowing through the forest. There is also a memorial to the United States servicemen stationed there during World War II. The foundations of their Nissen huts can still be seen throughout the wood.[2]
Portglenone Abbey
Portglenone Abbey Church, Our Lady Of Bethlehem Cistercian Monastery, occupies a Georgian mansion (Portglenone House) in the village. In the 1960s a new monastery was built, designed by Padraig Ó Muireadhaigh, which has won several architectural awards.
Gig 'n The Bann Festival
The Gig 'n the Bann is a local cross-community music and dance festival in Portglenone. It takes its name from the River Bann and has been held every year since 1999. Performers have included Paul McSherry and the junior members of Portglenone CCE Branch as well as former members of Déanta.[3]
2001 Census
Portglenone is classified as a village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 1,000 and 2,250). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,219 people living in Portglenone. Of these:
- 26.3% were aged under 16 years and 19.7% were aged 60 and over
- 47.9% of the population were male and 52.1% were female
- 47.1% were from a Catholic background and 52.6% were from a Protestant background
- 2.6% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Notable people
- Bernard Diamond, recipient of the Victoria Cross
Camogie
Portglenone camogie club won the Ulster senior club championship in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1992. Leading players include Mairead McAtamney.
See also
References
- ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland
- ↑ See Portglenone Forest
- ↑ Belfast Telegraph, Invitation too good to refuse, 8 September 2007
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Portglenone. |
- Portglenone CCE Branch - Portglenone CCE Branch
- River Bann, Ireland - Portglenone visitor information
- 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church - Local Presbyterian Church
- Gig 'n the Bann - Annual annual cross-community festival
- Roger Casements Gaelic Athletic Club - Gaelic Athletic Association Club