Randalstown

Infobox Irish Place
name = Randalstown
gaeilge = Baile Raghnail
crest

motto =
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pin coords = left: 129px; top: 68px
north coord = 54.746 | west coord = 6.306
elevation =
province = Ulster
county = County Antrim
NI district = Antrim Borough
UK constituency = South Antrim
EU constituency = Northern Ireland
stdcode = 028, +44 28
posttown = Antrim
postcode = BT41
population = 4,956
census yr = 2001
web =
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Randalstown ( _ga. Baile Raghnail) is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, located between the town of Antrim and Toome. It had a population of 4,956 people in the 2001 Census. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. Originally called An Dun Mor - "the great fort" - Randalstown was named after the 2nd Earl and 1st Marquis of Antrim, Randal MacDonnell (1609-1683) and has strong links to the O'Neill family. The original stronghold of Edenduffcarrick was built in the 16th century and changed ownership repeatedly until it was renamed Shane's Castle after the new owner, Shane Mc Brian O'Neill. The O'Neill family still reside in the castle and enjoy a prominent position in Northern Ireland. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town.

History

Randalstown has a strong history of linen and iron industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney can be seen from most parts of the town.

Places of interest

*The Tudor style gateway to the Shane's Castle estate is in the town.
*Around the corner from the gateway is the seven-piered, now disused, viaduct built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the River Maine.

Demographics

Randalstown is classified as a Small Town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) [ [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency website.] ] (ie with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 4,956 people living in Randalstown. Of these:
*25.7% were aged under 16 years and 15.5% were aged 60 and over
*48.0% of the population were male and 52.0% were female
*70.1% were from a Catholic and 27.7% were from a Protestant background
*3.0% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed

For more details see: Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service [ [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service website.] ]

Notable Residents

* Suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams, was born in Randalstown on 21 January 1899. He became a general practitioner and worked in Eastbourne from 1922. He was charged in 1957 with the murder of two patients but was acquitted. He was, however, suspected of causing the death of 163 other patients. [Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9]
* Ryan Johnson, award winning singer/songwriter is from Randalstown.
* Michael McKay, five times winner of British Wedding Photographer of the year, is from Randalstown.
* Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, spent his childhood in Randalstown.
* David Neill, former Irish League footballer is from Randalstown.
*Randal Reid, currently playing for Ballymena United is from Randalstown.
*Steven Davis, footballer currently on loan to Rangers FC grew up in Randalstown, though originally from Ballymena.
* Eur Ing David Ayre, Baron of Kilmarnock, spent his early childhood in Randalstown.

Education

*St Benedicts High School formally St Olcan's High School

References

* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=343&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Randalstown on the "Culture Northern Ireland" website.]

See also

*List of towns in Northern Ireland
*List of villages in Northern Ireland
*Market Houses in Northern Ireland