Swatragh

Swatragh (Irish: Suitreach; meaning "A miry place")is a small village in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, at approximately coord|54|54|27|N|06|40|2|W|. Swatragh is situated on the main A29 Coleraine to Cookstown road, to the north of Maghera. The population was 435 people in the 2001 Census. It lies within the Magherafelt District Council area. The village contains three churches, one Roman Catholic, one Church of Ireland, and one Presbyterian Church. There is also one primary school, St. John's.

Locally significant buildings include St. John the Baptist (Roman Catholic) Church, and Killelagh (Church of Ireland) Church which sits on a low hill overlooking the river, road and bridge. Both are listed buildings.

Sport

Swatragh is home to Michael Davitt Gaelic Athletic Club. Gaelic games play an important role in the social and cultural life of the village with the clubhouse being a location for much non-sporting activity also. Several of the club's Gaelic football players have represented County Derry, including the outstanding Anthony Tohill who was part of the 1993 Derry team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and captain of the 2001 Irish International Rules side that toured Australia. Another notable athlete who hails from Swatragh is Declan Kearney. He is famed for his large physical build which enables him to excel in many sporting disciplines such as football and buck lepping, the latter with which he was North West champion in 2007.Swatragh is also home to the locally famous ex Gaelic football player John Bamber Kearney who was forced into early retirement due to injury.

People from Swatragh

* Anthony Tohill
* Liam Kearney
* Terry McFlynn - professional Association Football player; currently playing in Australia for the Hyundai A-League team, Sydney FC

References

* [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Neighbourhood Information Service]
*Draft Magherafelt Area Plan 2015
* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=1&to=103&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]

External links

* [http://www.michaeldavittgac.com/ Michael Davitt Gaelic Athletic Club]

See also

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