Ballymagorry

Ballymagorry from above (top left)

St Patrick's church, Ballymagorry

Ballymagorry or Ballymagory (from Irish: Baile Mhic Gofraidh) is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is west of Artigarvan and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of Strabane. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 565. It lies within the Strabane District Council area.

History

It has been a settlement since Plantation times, being founded in the early 17th century by Scotsman Sir George Hamilton of Greenlaw who died around 1654, and whose brother was James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn. Within two generations his lands had been consolidated into the Manor of Cloghogall within the extensive Abercorn estate.

Transport

The area was once served by rail, and Ballymagorry had a railway station on the Strabane to Derry line. Ballymagorry station opened on 7 August 1900 but was shut on 1 January 1955. The village lies on the main A5 trunk road between Strabane and 'Derry.

2001 Census

Ballymagorry is classified by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) as a Small Village (i.e. with population between 500 and 1,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 565 people living in Ballymagorry. Of these:

• 25.3% were aged under 16 years and 15.2% were aged 60 and over
• 50.4% of the population were male and 49.6% were female
• 43.7% were from a Catholic background and 54.0% were from a Protestant background
• 4.8% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed

For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service

References

• Ballymagorry Rent Rolls
• Strabane District Council