Banagher, County Londonderry facts for kids
Banagher is a small area, also called a parish, located in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It's known for its beautiful natural scenery and many old historical sites. These include ancient churches, special wells, tall standing stones, and old burial places.
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Exploring Banagher's Nature
Banagher is nestled in the western part of the Sperrin Mountains. It sits between two rivers, the Roe and the Faughan. The land here is quite wild and rugged, with deep valleys called glens that lead up to higher mountain areas.
Banagher Glen: An Ancient Forest
A great example of Banagher's natural beauty is Banagher Glen. This area is very important for nature conservation. It's one of the few places in Ireland where you can still find very old deciduous woodland (forests where trees lose their leaves in autumn) that hasn't been changed much by people.
The Glen has a walking trail that goes through the woods. It climbs up to the Altnaheglish Dam and Reservoir, which provides water for the city of Derry. As you walk, you'll see different types of trees. Lower down, there are deciduous trees, and higher up, you'll find coniferous trees (like pines). Even higher, the landscape changes to open moor and heathland.
Banagher Glen is special because its old oak trees have stood for centuries. They create a mysterious and beautiful view over the local rivers. If you're lucky, you might even spot rare red squirrels looking for acorns!
A Look Back in Time: Banagher's History
We know there was a church in Banagher as early as 1121. Old records, called the Annals of Ulster, mention that a king named Gillespie Owen O'Henry was killed in the Banagher cemetery in that year. His name means 'servant of Bishop Eoghan', possibly referring to a saint named Eugene.
The Old Church and Legends
On a sandy ridge near the River Owenreagh, you can find the ruins of the old church. There's also a small square building nearby, sometimes called 'the abbey'. It once had a stone roof. Not much of the church remains today.
In the nearby cemetery, there's an old cross and a monument dedicated to St Muriedhach O'Heney. People say he founded the church and was the leader of the building next to it. There's even a carving of him on one side of the monument. However, St Muriedhach O'Heney isn't listed in official saint calendars.
According to local stories, a stag (a male deer) helped St Muriedhach find the perfect spot for his church. The stag supposedly carried his book on its antlers, acting like a moving bookstand!
Lucky Sand and Other Old Sites
Next to the old church ruins, there's a hole where special sand, called 'Banagher sand', is collected. For a long time, people believed this sand brought good luck to race horses if it was thrown over them.
In the past, there were also ruins of ancient churches at places called Straid and Templemoile. The area also had a special fort made of heated stones, where people traditionally lit fires during Midsummer celebrations. Near the main parish church, there's a large cave that was made by people.
Plantation and New Churches
During the Plantation of Ulster in the 1600s, some parts of Banagher were given by the Crown (the government) to powerful companies from London. These included the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and the Worshipful Company of Skinners.
Around 1753, Banagher became a separate Presbyterian community. Their first minister, John Law, started his work in 1756. The Church of Ireland church in Banagher, built in 1782, has a tall tower and an eight-sided spire. The spire was paid for by Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol, who was the Bishop of Derry at the time. He was also known for building the famous Mussenden Temple. The Fishmongers' Company also built a Presbyterian meeting house in the Classical Greek style at Ballyhanedin.
By 1837, there were schools for boys and girls in Banagher at Ballagh, Tyrglassen (supported by the Fishmongers Company), and Fincarn.
What People Do in Banagher
Today, the main jobs in Banagher are drylining (a type of building work), agriculture (farming), and sand quarrying (digging for sand). For fun, people enjoy fishing and hill walking.
In the 1800s, there was a large bleach-green at Knockan. This was a place where thousands of pieces of linen cloth were bleached and finished each year to be sold in England. Some local farmers also wove linen cloth in their own homes.
Places to Worship
In Banagher, you can find Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, and Presbyterian churches. The Presbyterian Church in Banagher supports church work both locally and in other countries. It also has a Boys' Brigade group. There are Catholic churches at Fincairn, Altinure, and Ballymonie, where Mass is held regularly.
Sports in Banagher
Banagher is home to the Banagher GAC, which stands for St Mary's Banagher Gaelic Athletic Association club. In Irish, it's called CLG Naomh Mhuire Beannchar. A famous member of this club is Seán Marty Lockhart, who was an All Star Derry footballer.
Images for kids
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Ruins of the Old Church of Banagher, County Londonderry, in 1833
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The Earl-Bishop, who helped build a Banagher church spire
