Annalong
Village in County Down, Northern Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Village in County Down, Northern Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Annalong (from Irish Áth na Long, meaning 'ford of the ships')[1][2] is a seaside village in County Down, Northern Ireland at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Annalong is in the civil parish of Kilkeel, the barony of Mourne,[3] and the Newry and Mourne District Council area.[4] It had a population of 1,805 at the 2011 Census. The village formerly exported dressed granite and is now a fishing and holiday resort.
Annalong | |
---|---|
![]() Annalong Cornmill | |
Location within County Down | |
Population | 1,805 (2011 Census) |
District | |
County | |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWRY |
Postcode district | BT34 |
Dialling code | 028 |
Police | Northern Ireland |
Fire | Northern Ireland |
Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
UK Parliament | |
NI Assembly | |
In the Census Report of 1659 Annalong is referred to as a 'quarter' - a sub-division of a townland - in this case Moneydarraghmore. Like practically every locality in Mourne, the name derives from the Irish Celtic (Gaelic) - Ath na Long. This means 'the ford of the ships' - a reference to some crossing on the river near where it enters the harbour. It probably relates to Viking times of around a thousand years ago when the longships found some shelter at the mouth of the river. There is no material evidence of the Vikings ever having settled here. However, there are some words in the local dialect which would appear to suggest Norse influence, such as; 'selk', the local name for the common seal; to 'set allow' is to set on fire; to 'hain' is to eke out; 'holm' refers to low-lying land close to the river. [5]
On 13 January 1843, fishing boats from Newcastle and Annalong set out for the usual fishing stations but were caught in a gale. Fourteen boats were lost in the heavy seas, including a boat that had come to the rescue. Only two boats survived, the Victoria and the Brothers.[6] In all, 76 men perished, 30 of them from Annalong.
It is estimated that around 250 men from Annalong served in the Great War (1914–1918). These men were all volunteers, as conscription was only introduced in Great Britain, not Ireland.[7]
Annalong is 9 miles from the Mourne Mountains and 8 miles from Newcastle. It has a caravan park for visitors as well as a Bed and Breakfast and other holiday accommodation.
The Páirc na Mara Irish-language and cultural centre at Marine Park was opened in 2012 by Conradh na Gaeilge Boirche Íochtar (the Lower Mourne branch of The Gaelic League) and was extended in 2014.
Annalong Primary School is in the village and Annalong Community Development Association was established in 1994.[8] Moneydarragh Hub is a social centre offering classes, well-being and business collaboration.[9]
Annalong has several businesses including cafes and a beauty shop. There are many old cottages and houses in the harbour area. New estates have been built on the outskirts of the village.
On census day (27 March 2011) there were 1,805 people living in Annalong. Of those:[4]
Annalong is classified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) as a village (i.e. it has a population between 1,000 and 2,250 people). On census day (29 April 2001) there were 1,778 people living in Annalong. Of these:[12]
As part of the 2011 census, 29.8% of residents declared that they were from a Catholic background, while 64% stated they were from a Protestant background. There are several churches in Annalong, including;
Presbyterian Church [13]
Church of Ireland Parish Church (part of the Diocese of Down and Dromore) [14]
Christian Fellowship Church
Gospel Hall
Free Presbyterian Church
There are no Catholic churches in the village, the nearest being St. Mary's in Glasdrumman.
Annalong is represented by two football clubs. These were formerly based on Protestant and Catholic origin; however, both teams are now more religiously mixed due to decreasing religious tensions in Northern Ireland. Annalong Football Team has two junior football teams (65 registered senior players) who participate in the Mid Ulster Football League. There are training sessions two nights per week. [15] The Mourne Rovers football team are also based in Annalong; many of their players also play for local Gaelic teams.
Annalong Canoe and Kayak Club (ACKC), trains Kilkeel Leisure Centre each Tuesday night. This club also has an annual camping trip to mainland Europe. [16]
Annalong Outdoor Bowling Club is the village's bowling club.
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