Derrywarragh Island
Looking towards Derrywarragh Island on the bridge connecting the island and Maghery | |
Interactive map of Derrywarragh | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lough Neagh, County Armagh |
| Coordinates | 54°30′58″N 6°34′16″W / 54.516°N 6.571°W |
| Area | 0.6 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
| Length | 1 km (0.6 mi) |
| Width | 0.6 km (0.37 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Highest point | O'Connor's Stronghold |
| Administration | |
United Kingdom | |
Derrywarragh Island is a boulder clay island on Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland. It is linked by a bridge to Maghery, County Armagh. The island is approximately 13 kilometres (8 mi) northwest of Portadown. Most of the island is wet grassland. There are also areas of wet woodland, marshes and swamps. The island is also regularly the home of wintering and breeding birds.[1]
History
On entering the River Blackwater barges used to sail down the river for about three miles to Lough Neagh at Maghery, where they navigated the mouth of the River by Derrywarragh Peninsula, causing endless delays through silting, flooding and blockages. In 1802 work started under the direction of Daniel Monks to excavate a short channel from the eastern bank of the Blackwater straight to the lough shore through the lower section of Derrywarragh Peninsula thus turning it into what is now Derrywarragh Island. This cut, "the Maghery Cut", finished in 1803, allowed vessels to avoid the sand bars at the river’s mouth. A pontoon bridge was erected and was later replaced by a fixed bridge to allow access onto Derrywarragh Island by the main resident of the island who owns a livestock haulage business and was noticing weakness as the lorry passed over the bridge.[2]
Ecology and conservation
Derrywarragh Island forms part of the Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, recognized for its international importance as a wetland habitat.[3] The island's mosaic of wet grassland, wet woodland, marshes and swamps provides critical habitat for numerous waterfowl species.
Notable species include whooper swans and various duck species including tufted duck, pochard, and goldeneye.[4] The floodplain grazing marsh habitat on the island is maintained through traditional agricultural practices to help preserve the ecological character of the wetland.[5]
Places of interest
The O'Connors Stronghold can be found on the north-east end of the island. It is a 17th-century fortified house. The existing remains measure about 18 by 14 feet (5.5 m × 4.3 m) and include a standing 32 feet (9.8 m) brick chimney stack. According to Craigavon Museum Services, it was probably a "watchtower to protect the mouth of the River Blackwater".[6][7]
Sport
The island is also the home of Maghery Sean MacDermott's GAA club.[8]
References
- ^ "Floodplain Grazing Marsh Plan". Craigavon Borough Council. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "River Blackwater - History". CanoeNI. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- ^ "Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area". Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Lough Neagh Nature Reserve". Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Floodplain Grazing Marsh Plan". Craigavon Borough Council. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Craigavon Museum - Research - Local History - Maghery And Coney Island". Craigavon Borough Council. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
- ^ "Derrywarragh Island Tower". The Castles of Ireland. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- ^ "Maghery Sean McDermotts". Maghery.com. Retrieved 27 June 2008.