Ardboe

Infobox Place Ireland
name = Ardboe
irish = Ard Bó
scots =
crest

motto =
map

pin coords =
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province = Ulster
county = County Tyrone
NI district = Cookstown
UK constituency = Mid Ulster
EU constituency = Northern Ireland
stdcode = 028, +44 28
posttown = Dungannon
postcode = BT71
population = 2221
census yr = 2001
web =

Ardboe (Irish: Ard Bó, the height of the cow)cite web | title=Ardboe High Cross | work=Geography in Action | url=http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Assets/Photo_albums/Seven/pages/Ardboe.html | accessdate=2007-11-29] , is a small village in the north east of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The boundaries of Ardboe (which includes Moortown) parish run the length of a small section of Lough Neagh and borders the neighbouring parishes of Clonoe, Coalisland, Coagh and Ballinderry. It is in the Cookstown District Council area, and is also within no more than ten miles of Magherafelt, Coalisland, Cookstown and Dungannon.

Ardboe Development Association, which developed a small business park, and Ardboe Community Group are based in the village. [cite web | title=Ardboe | work=Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network | url=http://www.cookstownwesternshores.com/ardboe.htm | accessdate=2007-11-29]

History

During World War II, in 1941, an airbase was built in the townland of Kinrush in Ardboe. Cluntoe Airfield was initially used by the Royal Air Force, but quickly handed over as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces, and by 1943, over 3,500 troops were stationed there. By 1946 the war was over and the Americans had left. The RAF kept the airfield ticking over and it was reopened in 1952 as a training base for pilots going to the Korean War. By 1955 it closed for good.cite web | title=Ardboe | work=Culture Northern Ireland | url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=4&to=178&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 | accessdate=2007-11-29] [cite web | author=John McAliskey |title=Cluntoe Airfield | work=Your Place and Mine - BBC NI | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/tyrone/cluntoe_airfield_ardboe.shtml | accessdate=2007-11-29]

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Ardboe, which includes a list of incidents in Ardboe during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Places of interest

*One of the finest examples of the Irish High cross in Ulster, can be found in Ardboe and is located on a small hillock close to the shores of Lough Neagh. Ardboe High Cross (Irish: Seanchrois Ard Bó) which dates to the 9th/10th century, is all that now remains of a 6th century monastery, which was established by Saint Colman mac Aed. The Cross, made of sandstone, stands about eighteen feet high. Although slightly weathered and damaged - emigrants in the earlier part of this century often took with them a small chip of stone from the cross - Ardboe High Cross is a superb example of figure carving incorporating 22 panels of sculpture of biblical events. [cite web | title=Ardboe High Cross | work=The Chrono Centre - Queens University Belfast | url=http://www.chrono.qub.ac.uk/local/tyrone/Ardboe/ | accessdate=2007-11-29]
*The adjoining graveyard was the site of a tree, known locally as the Ardboe Pin Tree, into which people had traditionally put coins or pins, believing it to cure them of ailments. The tree was blown down during the St. Stephen's Day storms of 1998.
*The Battery Harbour, in the townland of Kinturk, with public access to Lough Neagh, is the base for Lough Neagh Rescue.
*Coyle’s Cottage is a 300 year old restored fisherman’s cottage in the townland of Aneeterbeg. It is the home of the Muintirevlin Historical Society and Gort Moss Walking Club and hosts music nights and traditional music classes.

Events

*The Auld Lammas Fair is a popular event held each August in Ardboe, attracting hundreds of people to the shores of Lough Neagh. Activities include traditional music performances.

People

*Provisional Irish Republican Army Volunteer Matt Devlin ( _ga. Óglach Máta Ó Doibhilin) who took part in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike and was later a leading member of Sinn Féin in County Westmeath was from Ardboe.
*Tyrone Gaelic footballers Tommy,Brian McGuigan and his father, Frank McGuigan, are from the area.
*Bass player, shared vocalist and unofficial front man of 1970s Irish rock band Horslips, Barry Devlin is from Ardboe.
*Polly Devlin, author, journalist, broadcaster and film-maker.
*Diane McCormick, ceramics artist.
*Tyrone Minor star Kyle Coney is also from the area.

Communications

*Telephone Numbers in Ardboe either begin with 867 Coagh or 877 Stewartstown. Most numbers begin 867, 877 applies around the Carnan area close to Brocagh.

Sport

*Gaelic football is the main sport of the area, with Ardboe O'Donnovan Rossa GAC ("Ard Bó Uí Dhonabhain Rossa CLG") being the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. It was officially formed and affiliated in 1947. [cite web | title=About us | work=Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa GAC | url=http://www.ardboegfc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=56 | accessdate=2007-11-29]

Education

*St. Patrick's Primary School, Mullanahoe

ee also

* Abbeys and priories in Northern Ireland (County Tyrone)
* List of villages in Northern Ireland
* List of towns in Northern Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.vincentpeters.nl/triskelle/attractions/ardboehighcross.php?index=100.040.008.090.015 Information on the tree]