Dungiven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dungiven
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| Population | 3,346 (2021 Census) |
| Irish grid reference | C689024 |
| • Belfast | 53 miles (85 km) |
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| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDONDERRY |
| Postcode district | BT47 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
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| NI Assembly |
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Dungiven is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Its name comes from the Irish words Dún Geimhin, meaning "Gevin's fort". The town is located near the main A6 that connects Belfast and Derry.
Dungiven sits where three rivers meet: the Roe, Owenreagh, and Owenbeg. These rivers flow at the foot of a mountain called Benbradagh, which is about 465 meters (1,525 feet) tall. Close by is the Glenshane Pass, where the road goes up to over 300 meters (1,000 feet) high. In 2021, about 3,346 people lived in Dungiven. It is part of the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
Contents
Dungiven's Past: A Look at Its History
People have lived in the Dungiven area for at least 1,000 years. Some historians think an early church or abbey might have been here around 700 AD.
The Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary's
A special church called the Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary's was built in the 11th century. Today, you can still see its old ruins. Inside, there is a tomb for a very important person named O'Cahan (Cooey na Gall O' Cahan). He was buried there in 1385.
The Ó Catháin Clan
From the 1100s to the 1600s, the powerful Ó Catháin clan ruled this area. They were one of the most important families in Ulster, a region in Northern Ireland.
How Dungiven Grew
The town of Dungiven first started around Dungiven Castle and the local Church of Ireland. Over time, it grew westwards along Chapel Road and Main Street. It spread towards the spot where a bridge crossed the River Roe.
Dungiven Priory: An Ancient Church
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The Augustinian priory, built in the 1100s, stands on the foundations of even older churches. It is believed that St Patrick might have set up a church here in the 5th century. Another holy person, St Nechtan, who died in 679, may have also started a church here.
Learning in Dungiven: Schools for All Ages
Dungiven has several schools for young people. There are two secondary schools: Gaelcholáiste Dhoire and St. Patrick's College. Gaelcholáiste Dhoire is on Main Street, and St. Patrick's College is on Curragh Road.
For younger students, there are two primary schools: Gaelscoil Neachtain and St. Canice's Primary School. Both Gaelcholáiste Dhoire and Gaelscoil Neachtain are special because they teach in the Irish language. They welcome both boys and girls and students from all religious backgrounds.
Sports in Dungiven: Playing to Win
Sports are very popular in Dungiven, especially Gaelic games. These include Gaelic football and hurling.
Gaelic Football
The local Gaelic football team is called St Canice's Dungiven. They play their games at O'Cahan Park. This team has won the Derry Senior Football Championship seven times. They also won the Ulster Senior Football Championship once, in 1997.
Hurling
The local hurling team is Kevin Lynch's. They are very successful, having won the Derry Senior Hurling Championship a record 22 times! Their home games are played at Kevin Lynch Park.
Association Football
Dungiven also has an association football (soccer) club called Dungiven Celtic F.C.. They play in the C&DL Premier League.
Getting Around: Transport in Dungiven
Dungiven is located right next to the main A6 road. This gives it good connections to Derry, which is about 29 kilometers (18 miles) to the west. It also connects to Limavady, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) to the north. A new bypass road for Dungiven opened in 2022, making travel even easier.
Dungiven used to have a railway station. The Limavady railway line reached Dungiven in 1883. However, the station closed for passengers in 1933 and completely shut down in 1950.
Rivers of Dungiven: Waterways of the Town
Dungiven is surrounded by several rivers and streams.
The River Roe
The River Roe is the biggest river in Dungiven. You can see it at the western end of town, near Dungiven Bridge. It starts up in the Glenshane Pass and flows northwest through Dungiven. Then it continues north through Burnfoot and Limavady.
Other Rivers and Streams
- The Owenbeg River is a large stream that flows into the River Roe. It starts near Feeny.
- The Owenreagh River is another important stream that joins the Roe. It begins in Banagher Glen.
- The Pellipar Burn is a smaller stream that flows right through the middle of Dungiven. Parts of it even flow underground!
- The Derryware Burn is another small stream at the northern end of town. It also flows into the River Roe.
Famous Faces from Dungiven: Notable People
Many interesting people have come from Dungiven:
- Francis Brolly (1938-2020): A musician and politician.
- Joe Brolly (born 1969): A lawyer and a famous Gaelic football player for Derry. He was part of the team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 1993.
- Mary Dillon (born 1964): A folk singer.
- Cara Dillon (born 1975): Another folk singer, known for her beautiful voice.
- Kevin Lynch (1956-1981): A local hero for whom the Dungiven hurling team, Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club, is named.
- Paul McCloskey (born 1979): A professional boxer who was a British and European champion.
- Brian McGilligan (born 1963): Another key player from Derry's 1993 All-Ireland winning Gaelic football team.
- Geoffrey McGonagle (born 1974): A former Derry player who played both Gaelic football and hurling.
- Jamie McGonigle (born 1996): A professional football (soccer) player.
- Kieran McKeever (born 1968): A member of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland winning Gaelic football team.
- Sister Aloysius McVeigh (1923-2008): An artist and teacher.
- John Mitchel (1815-1875): An important Irish patriot from the 19th century. He was born near Dungiven, and an area called Mitchel Park is named after him.
- Frances Molloy (1947-1991): A novelist.
- John Eddie Mullan (1923-2008): A former player for Derry.
- Eoghan Quigg (born 1992): A musician and singer.
See also
In Spanish: Dungiven para niños
