Portglenone
Portglenone
| |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 1,174 (2011 Census) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BALLYMENA |
| Postcode district | BT44 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Portglenone (from Irish Port Chluain Eoghain, meaning 'The Fort of Eoghan's meadow')[1] is a village and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies 8.5 miles (14 km) west of Ballymena. It had a population of 1,174 people in the 2011 Census.[2] Portglenone is beside the smaller village of Glenone (in County Londonderry), from which it is separated by the River Bann.
History
In 1197, a castle was built there for Norman invader John de Courcy.[citation needed]
Places of interest
Portglenone Forest
Portglenone Forest Park, just outside the village, is classified as an 'Ancient Woodland', and has well marked nature trails, with the River Bann flowing through the forest. There is also a memorial to the United States servicemen stationed there during World War II. The foundations of their Nissen huts can still be seen throughout the wood.[3]
Portglenone Abbey
Portglenone Abbey Church, Our Lady Of Bethlehem Cistercian Monastery, occupies a Georgian mansion (Portglenone House) in the village. In the 1960s a new monastery was built, designed by Padraig Ó Muireadhaigh, which has won several architectural awards.
Gig 'n The Bann Festival
The Gig 'n the Bann is a local cross-community music and dance festival in Portglenone. It takes its name from the River Bann and has been held every year since 1999. Performers have included Paul McSherry and the junior members of Portglenone CCE Branch as well as former members of Déanta.[4]
Demography
2001 Census
Portglenone is classified as a village by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 1,000 and 2,250). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,219 people living in Portglenone. Of these:
- 26.3% were aged under 16 years and 19.7% were aged 60 and over
- 47.9% of the population were male and 52.1% were female
- 47.1% were from a Catholic background and 52.6% were from a Protestant background
- 2.6% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
2011 Census
On Census day in 2011: It had a population of 1,174 people (498 households) in the 2011 Census.[2]
- 46.8% were from a Catholic background and 50.6% were from a Protestant background
Notable people
- Canon Charles O'Neill, who wrote the Foggy Dew (Irish ballad)
- Bernard Diamond, recipient of the Victoria Cross
- Emma Kearney, actress (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Mr. Bhatti on Chutti)
Camogie
Portglenone camogie club won the Ulster senior club championship in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1992. Leading players include Mairead McAtamney.
See also
- List of civil parishes of County Antrim
- List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
- Portglenone Parish Church
References
- ^ Placenames Database of Ireland
- ^ a b "Portglenone". Census 2011 Results. NI Statistics and Research Agency. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ See Portglenone Forest Archived 2006-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Belfast Telegraph, Invitation too good to refuse, 8 September 2007
External links
- Portglenone CCE Branch - Portglenone CCE Branch
- River Bann, Ireland - Portglenone visitor information
- 1st Portglenone Presbyterian Church - Local Presbyterian Church
- Gig 'n the Bann - Annual cross-community festival
- Roger Casements Gaelic Athletic Club - Gaelic Athletic Association Club
