Bellaghy, United Kingdom
Bellaghy is a town of 1,072 people in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Why visit Bellaghy
Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks and 8 places to eat in and around town.
Highlights include Bellaghy Bawn and Seamus Heaney Homeplace.
Weather in Bellaghy
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Bellaghy
Bellaghy (from Irish Baile Eachaidh, meaning 'Eachaidh's townland') is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies north west of Lough Neagh and about 5 miles north east of Magherafelt. In the centre of the village (known locally as The Diamond) three main roads lead to Magherafelt, Portglenone and Toome. It had a population of 1,063 people in the 2001 Census and is within Mid-Ulster District.
From the Wikipedia article Bellaghy (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Museums and landmarks6
Restaurants and cafes8
Churches and places of worship5
St. Mary's Church
Church · 0.5 mi
Roman Catholic church in Bellaghy, Northern Ireland
Shopping1
History
There had long been Gaelic settlements in this area. Archaeological evidence has been found in the village of a Gaelic ringfort.
In the early 17th century, Bellaghy became one of many towns planned, built and settled under the authority of the Vintners Company of London, as part of the English Plantation of Ulster. In 1622, according to a manuscript of a Captain Thomas Ash, Bellaghy consisted of a church, a castle, a corn mill and twelve houses.
During the Plantation, English colonials built a fortified house in the village. It had surrounding walls and two circular towers at opposite corners. Recent excavations have revealed that the fortified house was built on the site of a former Gaelic ringfort. During the 1641 rebellion the house was attacked by Irish rebels, but it remained intact. Many other houses in the village were burnt to the ground. Locally it was called "The Castle" and is located on Castle Street. The refurbished house was opened to the public in 1996 as Bellaghy Bawn. It is a museum featuring exhibitions on local history.
Read more of the history
On 2 May 1922, during the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Republican Army launched an attack on Bellaghy Royal Irish Constabulary barracks - the IRA men gained access after the outer gate was mistakenly left unlocked while a 'farewell party' was being held inside for a retiring police officer. One RIC officer was killed and at least two others wounded. An IRA volunteer was also killed when he went to inspect a room and was shot 'through the woodwork' by a B-Special who had concealed himself behind a half-open door. The three other IRA volunteers subsequently withdrew, but were captured shortly afterwards.
From the History section of Bellaghy on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Bellaghy
Brooke ScullionIrish musical artistPhoto: Ser!, CC BY-SA 4.0
Francis HughesVolunteer in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (1956-1981)Photo: Unknown author, Public domain
Ian MilneIrish republican politician (born 1954)Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sinnfei..., CC BY 2.0- Thomas McElweeIRA member
- Dominic McGlincheyINLA member
- Sir Henry Mulholland, 1st BaronetBritish politician (1888-1971)
- Damian CassidyIrish hurler and Gaelic footballer
- Fergal DohertyGaelic football player
- Joe DiverGaelic football player
- Joe CassidyGaelic football player
Born in Bellaghy, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries2
Map of Bellaghy
23 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Belfast International Airport (BFS) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 16 miles away.
- Castledawson 3 mi southwest, about 4 min by car
- Magherafelt 5 mi southwest, about 8 min by car
- Portglenone 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Maghera 7 mi west, about 11 min by car
- Cullybackey 9 mi northeast, about 14 min by car
- Ballymena 10 mi east, about 17 min by car
- Randalstown 10 mi southeast, about 15 min by car
- Moneymore 10 mi southwest, about 16 min by car
- Antrim 14 mi southeast, about 22 min by car
- Cookstown 15 mi southwest, about 23 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Bellaghy
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Keep exploring
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Seamus Heaney HomePlace entrance, 1TWO3Writer, CC0
- Bellaghy Bawn Information Board, Michael Spence, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Seamus Heaney grave 1, 1TWO3Writer, CC0
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.