Aughnacloy
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  Location withinNorthern Ireland | |
| Population | 1,162 (2021 census) |
| Irish grid reference | H665521 |
| • Belfast | 52 mi (84 km) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | AUGHNACLOY |
| Postcode district | BT69 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
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Aughnacloy, sometimes speltAuchnacloy (Irish:Achadh na Cloiche, meaning 'field of the stone'[1]), is a village inCounty Tyrone,Northern Ireland. Close to theborder withCounty Monaghan in theRepublic of Ireland, the village is about 20 km southwest ofDungannon, and 7 km southeast ofBallygawley. It is situated in the historicbarony ofDungannon Lower and thecivil parish ofCarnteel.[2] In the2021 census it had a population of 1,162.[3]
Much of the town was built in the 18th Century by Acheson Moore, the local landlord. Because he backed theJacobite cause, he planted his estate in the shape of athistle and planned out the town on the edge of it.[4] Unable to rename it "Mooretown", he had to settle for naming the main street "Moore Street", and the side streets Sydney, Lettice, and Henrietta (now Ravella Road), after his three wives. The thistle is still visible from the air.[5]
Aughnacloy served as an important staging post on the road toDerry.[6] However, lacking large-scale industry, it started to wane in the late 19th century.
In 1988,Aidan McAnespie, a Catholic civilian, was killed by a bullet from a general purpose machine-gun held by aBritish Army soldier at Aughnacloy. Twenty years later (June 2008), thePSNIHistorical Enquiries Team published its findings on the case in a report. The report stated that the soldier's claim that his wet hands caused an accidental discharge was the "least likely version" of what happened.[7]
At the time of the 2011 census (27 March 2011), Aughnacloy had a population of 1,045, accounting for 0.06% of the total NI population.[8] Of those 1,045 people:
Aughnacloy had its own railway station on theClogher Valley Railway (CVR) from 2 May 1887 to 1 January 1942.[9] The CVR's headquarters and locomotive workshop was also at Aughnacloy. Current proposals to upgrade the A5 road through the village to a dual carriageway and build a bypass have met with a mixed reaction in the town, with many traders and farmers strongly opposed.[citation needed]
The town is served by Bus Eireann Expressway Route 32, connecting the town to both Dublin and Letterkenny.
Primary schools in the area include Aughnacloy Primary School and St. Mary's Primary School.[citation needed]
Aughnacloy College, formerly known as Aughnacloy Secondary School and Aughnacloy High School, opened in 1963. The main building of this secondary school was designed by John MacGeagh. It occupies a rural site on the outskirts of Aughancloy, serving a catchment area stretching along the Blackwater valley including Caledon, Greystone, Innismagh, Ballygawley, Lisdoart and Favour Royal.[citation needed]
The localGaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club isAghaloo O'Neills.
Aughnacloy Golf Club, one of the founder clubs of theGolfing Union of Ireland in 1890, was reformed in 1994 and is located in Lissenderry just outside the village.[citation needed]
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