Shanmaghery
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54°33′50″N 6°53′31″W / 54.564°N 6.892°W
Shanmaghery or Shanmaghry (from Irish Sean-mhachaire, meaning 'old plain')[1] is a small hamlet and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, situated three miles from Pomeroy and three miles from Galbally. It is situated in the barony of Dungannon Middle and the civil parish of Pomeroy and covers an area of 426 acres.[2] Shanmaghery still remains partially an isolated area spanning one small road and several country lanes that straddle hilly countryside with excellent views of Tyrone and beyond.
The main road from Pomeroy to Dungannon which passes Shanmaghery has a classic view of Shanmaghery on a hillside. On a clear night the lights from far as Belfast can be seen. Other spectacles are the mountains of Pomeroy, Lough Neagh, and the Sperrin Mountains, where six counties can be seen on a clear day. The area consists of farming land as it may have through the centuries, mainly cattle farming. Most of the people living in the area have ancestral links going back many generations. Through the last twenty five years many changes have taken place such as the building of new homes the abandoning of old dwellings and modern farming techniques. These have changed in some forms the character of the area but culturally very little has changed. Long since dead former inhabitants are fondly remembered such as Peter McGaheys whose families lived in and around Shanmaghery probably for many generations. The crossroads below his homestead is called McGaheys Crossroads. Further up on Shanmaghery hill is another well known area called Paul’s planting. Paul's Planting was harvested by local quarry men as it was disrupting their plans for rock removal with the assistance of Charlie Donnelly. When questioned by conservationists they claimed the site was of no historical significance.
In 1841 the population of the townland was 193 people (33 houses) and in 1851 it was 161 people (27 houses).[3]
Local Interest
The townland contains one Scheduled Historic Monument: Wedge tomb (grid ref: H7065 6850).[4] The stones forming the ante-chamber and burial chamber can be seen, but none of the roof lintels have survived. There is substantial cairn material and the burial chamber is filled with rubble.[5]
Lord Patsy Taig, 6th generation of the Quinn clan has a small estate and is a well known local resident.
Gortavoy Bridge
Gortavoy Bridge is a modern residential area located on the main (B43) road linking Pomeroy to Donaghmore. The local homesteads of Corrycroar and Coolmaghry are nearby. It takes its name from the local bridge. At the rear of Gortavoy Bridge the now dismantled railway line to Pomeroy is situated. A number of bridges in the area are still in use to provide access to local areas.
See also
- List of townlands of County Tyrone
- List of archaeological sites in County Tyrone
- List of villages in Northern Ireland
References
- ^ "Shanmaghry". Place Names NI. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Townlands of County Tyrone". IreAtlas Townland Database. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Census of Ireland 1851". Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Scheduled Historic Monuments (to 15 October 2012)" (PDF). NI Environment Agency. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Shanmaghry Wedge Tomb". Irish Antiquities. Retrieved 23 December 2012.