Derrytrasna
| Derrytrasna | |
| County Armagh | |
|---|---|
 Bellville Presbyterian Church, Derrytrasna | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | H991626 |
| Location: | 54°30’10"N, 6°28’13"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 249 (2001) |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon |
Derrytrasna is a small village and townland in County Armagh, on a plateau surrounded mainly by bogland in the north of the county. It sits between Lough Neagh, Lough Gullion and the River Bann.
In the 2001 the village had a population of 249.
The name Derrytrasna is from the Irish Doire Trasna, meaning 'Transverse oakwood'.[1]
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.
On 6 January 1839, the 'Night of the Big Wind', the village's Roman Catholic church, which was nearing completion, St Mary's, was destroyed by the storm wind.. At the time the Newry Reporter reported:
"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."[2]
A "ready and generous response" was indeed made to Dr Morgan's appeal and the church was rebuilt during the years, 1839-41.
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.
Education
- Seagoe Church of Ireland Maintained School
- St. Mary's Primary School
Sport
- Gaelic football: Highmoss Sarsfields GFC
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Derrytrasna) |
- “Confrontation in Derrytrasna, 1845“ - Journal of the Craigavon Historical Society 1996/97