Loughgall

Infobox UK place
official_name= Loughgall
irish_name= Loch Gall
scots_name=
local_name=
static_

static_image_caption=
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.416667
longitude= -6.6
belfast_distance=
london_distance=
population= 285 (2001 Census)
irish_grid_reference= H908522
unitary_northern_ireland= Armagh City and District
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= ARMAGH
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT?
dial_code= 028
constituency_westminster=
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Armagh

Loughgall (in Irish "Loch Gall") is a small village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 285 people. It is situated within the Armagh City and District Council area.

Loughgall is at the heart of the apple growing industry and is surrounded by orchards. At the centre of the village is an enormous set of gates which lead to Loughgall Manor. An imposing building, the Manor was once the residence of the Cope family who arrived as part of the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.

History

In 1795, rival sectarian gangs, the Catholic Defenders and Protestant Peep O'Day Boys fought a bloody skirmish called the Battle of the Diamond, that left around 80 people dead. The Orange Order was founded in Loughgall following these events.

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Loughgall, which includes a list of incidents in Loughgall during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Places of interest

*Loughgall Country Park is set in a 188 hectare estate of open farmland & orchards and includes an 18 hole golf course and 37 acre coarse fishery.
*The NI Horticulture and Plant Breeding Station is set in the Loughgall Manor Estate, surrounded by mature woodlands and overlooking the Lough Gall. The estate was established in the late 17th century by Sir Anthony Cope of Hanwell, Oxfordshire and became the Cope family home for 350 years. In 1947 the estate was purchased from General Sir Gerald Templer, a descendant of the original owner, by the (then) Ministry of Agriculture.

Sport

It is home to Loughgall Football Club.

Education

*The Cope Primary School

There was also a Catholic Primary school located on the Eagralougher Road, just outside Loughgall. But due to lack of funding and low enrolment figures the school closed in June 1996.

References

* [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Neighbourhood Information Service]
* [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=1990 Discover Northern Ireland]
* [http://www.afsni.ac.uk/Centres/Centre5/default.htm NI Horticulture & Plant Breeding Station]
* [http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ NI Conflict Archive on the Internet]
* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=3&to=51&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]

See also

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

External links

* [http://cloghmore.bravepages.com/armagh/loughgallMH.html Loughgall Market House]
* [http://www.loughgallpresbyterian.co.uk Loughgall Presbyterian Church]