Its original name was Lann Rónáin Fhinn, "church of Ronan Finn", a saint from the medieval Irish tale Buile Shuibhne (The Madness of Sweeney).[2]
Culture
Religion
Magheralin has two churches: one Protestant and one Catholic. The Protestant parish has a second church building in Dollingstown.[4] Magheralin's Catholic parish also has two churches: St. Patrick's & St. Ronan's and St. Colman's in Kilwarlin.[5]
The Ducks of Magheralin
There is an old song called "The Ducks of Magheralin". The Ducks of Magheralin is an Irish Polka, with its namesake representing the 'ducks of Magheralin', who were the weavers of the town because they used duck grease to lubricate their looms.[6] In the preface to a well-known version by the Glenfolk Four, the singers insist that the intent of the song is to address the "myth" that the capital of Ireland is Dublin. The first verse is as follows:
It is just about a year ago that I went to see the King/Queen,
And on my voyage in Ulster my troubles they were twin;
He/She decorated me with medals, and they were made of tin,
"Go home," says he/she, "you skitter ye. You're the Mayor of Magheralin."[7]
Education
Magheralin has two primary schools: Maralin Village Primary School[8] and St. Patrick's Primary School.[9]
The Troubles
During the period of The Troubles (1960s–1998), a number of incidents occurred in the area. On 18 October 1989, Robert Metcalfe, a 40-year-old Protestant civilian, was shot and killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army while at his home in Drumnabreeze Road, Magheralin.[10] And, in January 1991, Jervis Lynch, a 26-year-old Catholic civilian, was shot and killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) while at his home in Acres Road, Magheralin.[11]
Sports
St. Michael's GAC is a Gaelic football club with its playing field in Magheralin.[12]
Magheralin also has a football club, Magheralin Village F.C.
Daniel Wiffen, an Irish professional swimmer from Magheralin, broke the 800m freestyle short-course world record on 10th December 2023 in Romania, becoming the first Irish swimmer to break a swimming world record.[13] Representing Ireland, he won the gold medal in the 800m Freestyle final in the Paris Olympics on 30 July 2024, setting a new Olympic record.[14]
2021 census
Magheralin is classified as a village by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e with a population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On census day (21 March 2021) there were 2,041 people living in Magheralin. Of these:
24% were aged 0-14, 36% were aged 15-39, 28% were aged 40-64, and 12% were aged 65 and above
49% were male and 51% were female
98% spoke English as a main language, 5% had some knowledge of Irish and 7% had some ability in Ulster Scots
27% were Catholic, 11% were Presbyterian, 25% were Anglican (Church of Ireland), 2% were Methodist, 11% adhered to other Christian denominations, <1% followed other religions and 23% followed no religion or did not state their religion
98% were white and 2% were of another ethnic group
38% identified as British only, 15% identified as Irish only, 25% identified as Northern Irish only, <1% identified as British and Irish only, 13% identified as British and Northern Irish only, 2% identified as Irish and Northern Irish only, 2% identified as British, Irish and Northern Irish only and 5% identified with another nationality
58% held a UK passport only, 17% held an Ireland passport only, 8% held both UK and Ireland passports, 2% held other passport(s) and 16% held no passport
90% were born in Northern Ireland, 5% were born in England, <1% were born in Scotland, <1% were born in Wales, 2% were born in the Republic of Ireland and 3% were born in other countries[15]
Notable people
Peter Brush (1901–1984), a soldier, Northern Irish unionist politician and paramilitary leader, lived in the area.
^"Lurgan_H Census Data". NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Regional Agency | Gníomhaireacht Thuaisceart Éireann um Staitisticí agus Taighde). 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
^"The Life of Father Dolling" Osborne, C.E p 335: London, Edward Arnold, 1903
