Kilcronaghan
| Kilcronaghan | |
|---|---|
| Irish transcription(s) | |
| • Derivation: | Cill Chruithneacháin |
| • Meaning: | "Church of St. Crunathan" |
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| Country | Northern Ireland |
| County | Londonderry |
| Barony | Loughinsholin |
| Townlands | 21 |
| Settlements | Tobermore, Kilross |
Kilcronaghan (from Irish Cill Chruithneacháin, meaning 'Church of St. Crunathan') is a civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Containing one major settlement, Tobermore, and lying on the descending slope of Slieve Gallion, Kilcronaghan is bordered by the civil parishes of Ballynascreen, Desertmartin, Maghera, and Termoneeny. It lies within the former historic barony of Loughinsholin and is situated in Mid-Ulster District. As an ecclesiastical parish it lies within the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.
Artefacts of human habitation in the Kilcronaghan area have been traced as far back as 1800-1000 BC. The history of the parish itself can be traced as far back as the 6th century when St Crunathan founded the church from which it takes its name. It has been the site of massacres and executions, with the River Moyola which flows through the parish forming the border between the ancient kingdoms of Ui Tuirtri and Fir Li.
The parish of Kilcronaghan lies on the descending slope of Slieve Gallion (from Irish Sliabh gCallann, meaning 'mountain of the heights'), with its highest point lying in the townland of Gortahurk, 1,246 feet (380 m) above sea level. From here it slopes downwards to low gravelly hills, which predominate in the parish. This series of hills become more broken and irregular as they approach the River Moyola.
Prominent hills in Kilcronaghan parish are (townland in brackets); Brackaghlislea (in Brackaghlislea), 465 feet (142 m) high; Mormeal (in Mormeal), 438 feet (134 m) high; Bonfire Hill (in Tullyroan), 377 feet (115 m) high; Donnelly's Hill (in Gortahurk), 356 feet (109 m) high; Drumbally (in Coolsaragh), 313 feet (95 m) high; Calmore Hill (in Calmore), 268 feet (82 m) high; Killynumber Hill (in Killynumber), 238 feet (73 m) high; Todd Hill (in Gortamney), 201 feet (61 m) high; and Fortwilliam (in Tobermore), 200 feet (61 m) high.
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