Dungannon

Dungannon (Dún Geanainn in Irish) is a town in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland

Related Topics:
Irish - County Tyrone - Northern Ireland

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It has about 10,000 inhabitants, and is the centre of the Dungannon and South Tyrone local government area.

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Dungannon is without doubt one of the most historic towns in Irish history, and was once the Capital of Ireland in the 15th and the 16th Centuries, becoming known all across Europe, especially when the former King of Ireland, Hugh O'Neill lived there in the 1600s.

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In recent decades the town has become bitterly divided through religion and political beliefs straight through the middle of the town. The Protestants and Catholics of the town living on different sides.

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Sectarian abuse and fighting was at an all time high during the 80s and gang beatings at a high in the 90s.

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Since 2000 actual attacks have went down, but serious damage and vandalism amongst Catholics and Protestants has risen.

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The Royal School is said to be one of the oldest schools in Ireland. It was one of several royal schools chartered in 1608 by King James I with the intended purpose "that there shall be one Free School at least appointed in every County, for the education of youth in learning and religion." The Royal School Dungannon was established in 1614 at Mountjoy near Lough Neagh. A royal charter of 13th May - records the appointment of John Bullingbroke as the first Headmaster.

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The Catholic School situated in Dungannon, St. Patrick's Academy, established in the 1800s, is one of top three Grammar schools in Northern Ireland, achieving remarkable annual A-Level results, and has been rewarded internationally for its huge success.

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Dungannon was also one of the first towns in Ireland to form a rugby club, probably due to the Royal School. At least one player from Dungannon is listed in the first ever Irish side. The rugby club was founded in 1873, was the sixth club in Ireland and a founder member of the IRFU. Despite being a rugby union club since inception it's official title is Dungannon Football Club. This was in common with other clubs, such as the now defunct North of Ireland club from Belfast, who were founded prior to the formal division of the different styles of football into Association and rugby.

Related Topics:
Rugby - Belfast

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The town also has connections to New Zealand rugby. The Earl of Ranfurly presented the Ranfurly Shield to the NZRFU.

Related Topics:
New Zealand - Ranfurly Shield

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Dungannon have also one of the oldest Gaelic Football teams in Ireland, founded in the 19th Century after Thomas Clarke. The Clarkes have won many competions and awards in their time, and are part of the most thriving Gaelic Footballing Team in Ireland today, Tyrone who have now won another All Ireland Championship. Pundits believe football can only get better in Tyrone more significantly Dungannon.

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An interesting feature of the town is the former Police barracks at the top right hand corner of the market square which is quite unlike any other barracks of a similar vintage in Ireland. The unusal design of this building is apparently due to a mix up with the plans in Dublin which meant Dungannon got a station designed for the Khyber Pass in Afghanistan and they got a standard Irish barracks, complete with a traditional Irish fireplace.

Related Topics:
Khyber Pass - Afghanistan

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The once thriving linen industry has largely been replaced by glass-blowing, and the Tyrone Crystal factory is a major visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. Dungannon also had brick making industry using Coalisland fireclay.

Related Topics:
Linen - Glass-blowing - Tyrone - Coalisland

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Dungannon was one corner of the infamous murder triangle.

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Dungannon has been regarded as one of the top ten metrosexual towns in the United Kingdom and Ireland, for showcasing great fashion and for so many people living in this town having fantstic style. This was awarded by the UK based Ineltro company, which judges fashion and fashion trends and genres. They pointed out the wide range of individual clothing shops in Dungannon. A huge percentage of the town's men and male teenagers are said to take a greal deal of pride in their appearence and to splash out a lot of money on clothing, accessories, hair and skin products.

Related Topics:
Metrosexual - Ineltro company

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:See also: List of towns in Northern Ireland

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