Maghera
From Free net encyclopedia
Maghera (Machaire Rátha in Irish) is a large village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Its population was 2,876 in 1991 and had risen to 3,711 people in the 2001 Census. It lies within the Magherafelt District Council area.
Notable buildings in Maghera include St. Lurach's Church, which was founded in the year 500AD. The town of Maghera grew up around this church.
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People
Maghera is the birthplace of Charles Thomson, who emigrated to the United States where he became secretary of the Continental Congress. Thomson designed the Great Seal of the United States.
Another famous person born in Maghera who later moved to the United States is the children's author Eve Bunting.
Sport
The local Gaelic football club is Watty Graham's Gaelic Athletic Club.
The local soccer team is Maghera Strollers F.C.
2001 Census
Maghera is classified as an intermediate settlement by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 2,250 and 4,500 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 3,711 people living in Maghera. Of these:
- 28.6% were aged under 16 years and 13.3% were aged 60 and over
- 49.3% of the population were male and 50.7% were female
- 72.4% were from a Catholic background and 27.1% were from a Protestant background
- 3.9% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.
For more detials see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service