Newtowncunningham
| Newtowncunningham Irish: an Baile Nua | |
| County Donegal | |
|---|---|
 Newtowncunningham Church of Ireland | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | C285176 |
| Location: | 54°59’53"N, 7°30’50"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,067 (2011) |
| Post town: | Newtowncunningham |
| Postcode: | F93 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Donegal |
| Dáil constituency: |
Donegal North-East |
Newtowncunningham or Newtown Cunningham, abbreviated to Newton, is a village in the Laggan district in the east of County Donegal. It is located on the N13 road road 11 miles east of Letterkenny and 10 miles west of Londonderry. The 2011 census reports the village's population as 1,067.
History
The area of Newtown Cunningham was historically known as Culmacatrain.[1]
Like nearby Manorcunningham, the village takes its name from John Cunningham, originally from Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, who was among the settlers granted lands in County Donegal during the Plantation of Ulster. The village's architecture includes stately Anglo-Irish "big houses", now known as the Manse and the Castle, which reflect the village's colonial and Presbyterian history.
Economy and Community
Newtowncunningham's long Main Street once formed part of the busy N13 trunk road connecting Letterkenny with Londonderry. A bypass diverted the N13 around the village in 1985. Many of the village's businesses either closed or moved to locations along the bypass, gradually divesting the village of economic activity.
New residential developments have recently being built at both ends of Newtown Cunningham, expanding the village's population by over 50% between 2002 and 2006. A variety of new retail and service outlets have also been built. A new industrial estate area located at the Letterkenny end of the village contains a number of large retail outlets.
Newtown Cunningham is located close to Blanket Nook, a wetland area that is a wintering site for the rare whooper swan. The bird sanctuary is one of many tourist attractions in the surrounding area, which also include Grianan of Aileach and the sixteenth-century Burt Castle. Sallybrook was the former railway station near the town.
Transport
- Newtown Cunningham is served by bus services using the main street as part of their Londonderry to Letterkenny route, and the Londonderry to Galway service also stops in the village.
- Newtowncunningham railway station opened on 30 June 1883, closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940 and finally closed altogether on 10 August 1953.[2]
Culture
The population is largely Roman Catholic, with significant Presbyterian and Church of Ireland presences, and churches for each.
Scoil Cholmcille, a new Catholic primary (national) school, was completed in 1983. In 1986, the Pairc Colmcille sports ground was opened. In the late 1990s, the existing Catholic church in the centre of the village was demolished and the construction began on a replacement church, St Peter's Bark, which opened in 1999.
The Columban Hall on the main street hosts many events throughout the year, such as festivals, concerts, and car boot sales.
The local Orange Lodge, Newtown Cunningham LOL1063, meet regularly in the Orange Hall on main street and celebrated their centenary in 2011. There is also an Apprentice Boys Club and an accordion band which meet in the Orange Hall. The hall is used by various community groups throughout the year as well as hosting an Annual Remembrance Day Service and variety concerts.
The Newtown Cunningham's Presbyterian Church was formed in 1830. The Church building was built in one year by voluntary labour. Newtown Cunningham Presbyterian Church was united with Crossroads from 1957 until 1974 and is now united with Ray.
References
- ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland
- ↑ "Newtown Cunningham station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-22.