Carrigans, County Tyrone facts for kids
Carrigans is a small area of land, known as a townland, located in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It's like a neighborhood or a small village area.
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What is Carrigans?
Carrigans is part of a larger historic area called the barony of Strabane Upper. It also belongs to the civil parish of Cappagh. A civil parish is an old way of dividing up land for administrative purposes. The entire townland of Carrigans covers an area of 859 acres, which is about the size of 650 football fields!
Where is Carrigans Located?
Carrigans is found in County Tyrone, which is one of the six counties in Northern Ireland. It's in the western part of Northern Ireland, known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history.
What Does "Carrigans" Mean?
The name Carrigans comes from the Irish words Carraigínidhe. This means "small rocks." So, the name tells us a little about what the land might have looked like a long time ago!
A Glimpse into the Past
Like many places, Carrigans has a history that includes changes in its population.
How the Population Changed
During the 1800s, the number of people living in Carrigans went down quite a bit. For example, in 1841, there were 386 people living in 80 houses. By 1891, the population had dropped to 125 people, living in only 26 houses. This kind of population decline happened in many parts of Ireland during that century due to various historical events.
Ancient Discoveries
Carrigans is also home to a very old and important historical site.
Exploring the Court Tomb
In Carrigans, there is a special place called a Court tomb. This is a type of ancient burial monument built a very long time ago, often by early farming communities. It's a scheduled historic monument, which means it's protected because it's so important to history. These tombs usually have a stone-lined passage and chambers where people were buried, and a "court" or open area at the front. The one in Carrigans is located at grid reference H4218 8076. It gives us a peek into how people lived and honored their dead thousands of years ago!
