Aghagogan facts for kids
Aghagogan is a small area of land, known as a townland, located in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. A townland is a very old way of dividing up land in Ireland. Aghagogan is part of a larger historic area called the Barony of Omagh East and a church area known as the civil parish of Termonmaguirk. It covers about 949 acres, which is like 720 football fields!
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Discovering Aghagogan
Aghagogan is a fascinating place with a rich history, even though it's a small townland. It's a great example of how local places have unique stories and connections to the past.
What's in a Name?
The name "Aghagogan" comes from the Irish language. It has a few possible meanings. One idea is that it means "Hogan's field" or "O'Hogan's field," named after a family. Another interesting idea is that it means "field where giddy-headed people congregate." This might sound funny, but it gives us a peek into how people used to describe places long ago!
A Local Voice: Barry McElduff
A well-known person from Aghagogan is Barry McElduff. He is a politician from the Sinn Féin party and used to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Northern Ireland. An MLA is like a local representative who helps make decisions for the area. Barry McElduff is a big supporter of using and remembering townland names, like Aghagogan, across Northern Ireland. He believes these names are an important part of local history and identity.
Looking at the Past: Population Changes
Like many places, Aghagogan has seen its population change over time. During the 1800s, the number of people living there went down. This was a common trend in many rural areas of Ireland during that period. You can see the changes in this table:
| Year | 1841 | 1851 | 1861 | 1871 | 1881 | 1891 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 372 | 299 | 271 | 223 | 229 | 159 |
| Houses | 67 | 57 | 50 | 49 | 41 | 39 |
As you can see, the number of people living in Aghagogan, and the number of houses, became smaller towards the end of the 19th century. This shows how communities can grow and shrink over time.
Ancient Treasures: Historic Monuments
Aghagogan is home to some very old and important historical sites! These are called Scheduled Historic Monuments, which means they are protected because of their historical value.
- Wedge Tomb: One of these sites is a wedge tomb. This is an ancient burial place made of large stones, shaped like a wedge. It was built thousands of years ago, probably during the Stone Age, to bury important people. Imagine people building these huge structures without modern tools!
- Standing Stone: The other monument is a standing stone. This is simply a large stone that was placed upright in the ground a very long time ago. We don't always know exactly why these stones were put there. They might have been used for ceremonies, as markers for important places, or even to track the sun or moon.
These ancient monuments tell us that people have lived in and used the land around Aghagogan for thousands of years, leaving behind clues about their lives and beliefs.
