Ardboe

History

The Troubles

Places of interest

• One of the finest examples of the Irish High cross in Ulster, can be found in Ardboe and is located on a small hillock close to the shores of Ardboe Lough. Ardboe High Cross, which dates to the 9th/10th century, is all that now remains of a 6th-century monastery, which was established by Saint Colman mac Aed. The Cross, made of sandstone, stands about eighteen feet high. Although slightly weathered and damaged, Ardboe High Cross is a superb example of figure carving, incorporating 22 panels of sculpture of biblical events.
• The adjoining graveyard was the site of a tree, known locally as the Ardboe Pin Tree, into which people had traditionally put coins or pins, believing it to cure them of ailments. The tree was blown down during the Boxing Day storms of 1998.
• The Battery Harbour, in the townland of Kinturk, with public access to Lough Neagh, is the base for Lough Neagh Rescue.
• Coyle’s Cottage is a 300-year-old restored fisherman’s cottage in the townland of Aneeter Beg. It is the home of the Muintirevlin Historical Society and Gort Moss Walking Club and hosts music nights and traditional music classes.

  Townlands

Notable people

• Provisional Irish Republican Army member Matt Devlin who took part in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike and was later a leading member of Sinn Féin in County Westmeath
• Tyrone Gaelic footballers Tommy McGuigan, Brian McGuigan and their father, Frank McGuigan, are from the area.
• Polly Devlin, author, journalist, broadcaster and film-maker.
• Diane McCormick, ceramics artist.
• Kyle Coney, Tyrone minor Gaelic player
• Screenwriter and member of the Horslips, Barry Devlin, whose My Mother and Other Strangers is set in Moybeg, a fictional village on Lough Neagh which was based on Ardboe

  Communications

• Telephone Numbers in the Ardboe area either begin with 867 Coagh or 877 Stewartstown. Most numbers begin with 867 however 877 applies to those around most of the Carnan area and some of the Killycoply area.

  Sport

• Ardboe O'Donnovan Rossa GAC is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.

  Census 2011

• 69% of the population was from a *Roman Catholic* background
• 20% of the population was from a *Protestant* background
• 3% of the population had *no* religion
• 8% of the population was from a *foreign* country
• 63% of the population was aged 18 – 75
• 30% of the population was aged 0 – 18
• 7% of the population was aged 75+
• 59% of the population were female
• 41% of the population were male
• 36% of the population were unemployed