Derrytrasna

Derrytrasna (from Irish: Doire Trasna)[1] is a small village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The village is on a plateau surrounded mainly by bogland in the north of the county. It lies between Lough Neagh, Lough Gullion and the River Bann. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 249 people. Derrytrasna is within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.

History

At the turn of the 19th-century, Derrytrasna was no more than a small collection of properties at a crossroads on the main road from Portadown to Charlestown. The main industries at this time were fishing and agriculture and the area being noted for its eel, pollan and trout.

One of the most notable events in the history of the village was the destruction of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church on 6 January 1839. The nearly completed church building was destroyed in what was known as the "Night of the Big Wind". At the time the Newry Reporter stated:

We regret to learn that the new Chapel of the Parish of Seagoe, which had been erected at great expense and with extreme exertion on the part of the Parish Priest, the Rev. Morgan, was levelled to the ground by the late fearful hurricane. It had just been roofed and would soon have been ready for consecration. This is a lamentable occurrence. The people of Seagoe were rejoicing in the hope of having a temple for the worship of the Most High, and just when it seemed secure to them they have lost the fruit of their long and pious labours. We are sure that the case will strongly excite the sympathies of the Christian public and that any appeal which may be made by the Rev. Mr. Morgan to repair the injury which has been done in this parish will meet with a ready and generous response.
"A ready and generous response" was indeed made to Dr. Morgan's appeal and the church was rebuilt during the years, 1839-41.[2]

In the 1950s Loughview Terrace was developed on Derrytrasna Lane, but the growth of Derrytrasna only really started in the 1980s with the development of Derrytrasna Close and Derrytrasna Lane estates. Lisnagade Mews and Loughview Manor were subsequently added and lately the two new estates of Bann Close and Derryloiste Meadows have been developed.

Today

The village comprises mainly residential development, most of which are modern bungalows, and acts as a small service centre to the surrounding rural community, with a church, a primary school and a post office facility. Most local people work in larger settlements like Lurgan, Portadown or Belfast, but there is limited employment within Derrytrasna and the surrounding area.

Sport

Derrytrasna's local Gaelic football club is Highmoss Sarsfields GFC.

Education

References
  1. Placenames NI Archived 2012-06-02 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Parish of seagoe - Lisburn.com".

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