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{{short description|Town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland}}
{{For|the area of Baltimore|Randallstown, Maryland}}
{{For|the area of Baltimore|Randallstown, Maryland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Randalstown
| official_name = Randalstown
| irish_name = Baile Raghnaill<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/63093|title=Baile Raghnaill/Randalstown|website=Logainm.ie}}</ref>
| irish_name = Baile Raghnaill<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/63093|title=Baile Raghnaill/Randalstown|website=Logainm.ie}}</ref>
| scots_name = Randalstoon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/1410/ulster-s-hiddlin-swaatch|title=Ulster's Hiddlin Swaatch|first=Culture Northern|last=Ireland|date=8 February 2006|website=culturenorthernireland.org}}</ref>
| scots_name = Randalstoon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/1410/ulster-s-hiddlin-swaatch|title=Ulster's Hiddlin Swaatch|first=Culture Northern|last=Ireland|date=8 February 2006|website=culturenorthernireland.org|access-date=1 August 2011|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622164601/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/1410/ulster-s-hiddlin-swaatch|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| local_name =
| local_name =
| static_image = Former railway viaduct at Randalstown (1) - geograph.org.uk - 347159.jpg
| static_image = Former railway viaduct at Randalstown (1) - geograph.org.uk - 347159.jpg
Line 11: Line 12:
| coordinates = {{coord|54.746|-6.306|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|54.746|-6.306|display=inline,title}}
| irish_grid_reference =
| irish_grid_reference =
| population = 5126
| population = 5151
| population_ref = <small>(2011 census)</small>
| population_ref = ([[United Kingdom census, 2021|2021 census]])
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council|Antrim and Newtownabbey]]
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council|Antrim and Newtownabbey]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Antrim]]
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Antrim]]
Line 25: Line 26:
}}
}}


'''Randalstown''' is a [[townland]] and small [[town]] in [[County Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]], between [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]] and [[Toome]]. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside [[Lough Neagh]] and the [[Shane's Castle]] estate. The town is bypassed by the [[M22 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M22 motorway]] with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town. It had a population of 5,126 people in the [[United Kingdom census, 2011|2011 Census]].<ref name=Census2011>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Randalstown@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Randalstown@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Randalstown Settlement | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 30 July 2019}}</ref>
'''Randalstown''' ({{Langx|ga|Baile Raghnaill}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baile Raghnaill/Randalstown |url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/63093 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=logainm.ie}}</ref>) is a [[townland]] and small [[town]] in [[County Antrim]], [[Northern Ireland]], between [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]] and [[Toome]]. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside [[Lough Neagh]] and the [[Shane's Castle]] estate. The town is bypassed by the [[M22 motorway (Northern Ireland)|M22 motorway]] with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town. It had a population of 5,151 people in the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]].<ref name="2021 pop"/>


==History==
==History==
The [[townland]] of Randalstown was originally known as ''An Dún Mór'' ("the great fort"), anglicised as ''Dunmore''. This refers to a medieval [[motte-and-bailey castle]] built by the Irish on the west bank of the river Main just south of the town.<ref name="PNI">{{Cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=5451|title=Place Names NI - Home|website=www.placenamesni.org}}</ref> A castle known as Edenduffcarrick, later [[Shane's Castle]], was built near Randalstown in the 14th century by the [[O'Neill dynasty|O'Neills]] of [[Clannaboy]].
The [[townland]] of Randalstown was originally known as ''An Dún Mór'' ("the great fort"), anglicised as ''Dunmore''. This refers to a medieval [[motte-and-bailey castle]] built by the Irish on the west bank of the river Main just south of the town.<ref name="PNI">{{Cite web|url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=5451|title=Place Names NI – Home|website=placenamesni.org}}</ref> A castle known as Edenduffcarrick, later [[Shane's Castle]], was built near Randalstown in the 14th century by the [[O'Neill dynasty|O'Neills]] of [[Clannaboy]].


From at least the 1650s the town was known as "Iron Mills" (''Muilinn Iarainn'' in Irish, anglicised "Mullynieren").<ref name="PNI"/> In 1667, the town was created a [[free borough]] and was officially re-named Randalstown.<ref name="PNI"/> It was re-named to mark the marriage of [[Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim (1645 creation)|Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim]] to Rose O'Neill of Shane's Castle.<ref name="PNI"/>
From at least the 1650s the town was known as "Iron Mills" (''Muilinn Iarainn'' in Irish, anglicised "Mullynieren").<ref name="PNI"/> In 1667, the town was created a [[free borough]] and was officially renamed Randalstown.<ref name="PNI"/> It was renamed to mark the marriage of [[Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim (1645 creation)|Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim]] to Rose O'Neill of Shane's Castle.<ref name="PNI"/>


The [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|1798 United Irishmen rebellion]] began in Antrim following a meeting to prepare for revolt by the Ulster Directory on 1 February 1798, at McClean's Inn, Randalstown. Robert McClean's "Great Inn" had long been an [[Irish Volunteers (18th century)|Irish Volunteers]] meeting place. Following his death in 1790, his son Francis became the proprietor.<ref>Ulster in '98: episodes and anecdotes. Robert Magill Young 1893 Marcus Ward Belfast</ref>
The [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|1798 United Irishmen rebellion]] began in Antrim following a meeting to prepare for revolt by the Ulster Directory on 1 February 1798, at McClean's Inn, Randalstown. Robert McClean's "Great Inn" had long been an [[Irish Volunteers (18th century)|Irish Volunteers]] meeting place. Following his death in 1790, his son Francis became the proprietor.<ref>Ulster in '98: episodes and anecdotes. Robert Magill Young 1893 Marcus Ward Belfast</ref>
Line 38: Line 39:
Randalstown has a strong history of [[linen]] and [[iron]] industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney from the Old Bleach factory can be seen from most parts of the town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory which operated from a neighbouring site closed down in 2002.
Randalstown has a strong history of [[linen]] and [[iron]] industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney from the Old Bleach factory can be seen from most parts of the town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory which operated from a neighbouring site closed down in 2002.


The town used to have an active [[Randalstown railway station|railway station]] which opened in 1848 by the [[Belfast and Ballymena Railway]]. The station connected the town to the [[Northern Counties Committee]] line. The station was closed in 1950 and has been disused ever since.
The town used to have an active [[Randalstown railway station|railway station]] which opened in 1848 by the [[Belfast and Ballymena Railway]]. The station connected the town to the [[Northern Counties Committee]] line. The station was closed in 1950 and has been disused ever since.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}


⚫
On 1 October 1989, a [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) car bomb exploded outside the town's police station on New Street causing serious damage to nearby property.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}


⚫
On 8 January 2010, [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] Constable Peadar Heffron was seriously injured as a bomb exploded under his car on the Milltown Road near Randalstown. [[Dissident republicans]] were blamed for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=Car bomb officer Peadar Heffron's leg amputated|publisher=BBC NI News (13 January 2010)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8457169.stm|access-date=25 January 2010|date=13 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Robinson and McGuinness condemn attack on policeman in Randalstown|work=NI Executive – OFMDFM Press Release (8 January 2010)|url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-080110-robinson-and-mcguinness.htm|access-date=25 January 2010}}</ref>


⚫
==Demography==
⚫
On 1 October 1989, a [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) car bomb exploded outside the town's police station on New Street causing serious damage to nearby property.{{cn|date=August 2020}}
===2021 census===
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Randalstown residents (2021)
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|British|Blue|36.9}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|Grey|33.8}}
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|31.0}}
}}
On census day (21 March 2021) the usually resident population of Randalstown was 5,151.<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Settlement 2015 |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000010 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> Of these:
* 55.39% belong to or were brought up Catholic and 35.14% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000010 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
* 36.94% indicated that they had a British national identity,<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (British) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000010 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> 30.98% had an Irish national identity<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000010 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> and 33.76% had a Northern Irish national identity.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Identity (Northern Irish) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000010 |website=NISRA |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>


===2011 census===
⚫
On 8 January 2010, [[Police Service of Northern Ireland|PSNI]] Constable Peadar Heffron was seriously injured as a bomb exploded under his car on the Milltown Road near Randalstown. [[Dissident republicans]] were blamed for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=Car bomb officer Peadar Heffron's leg amputated|work=BBC NI News (13 January 2010)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8457169.stm|access-date=25 January 2010|date=13 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Robinson and McGuinness condemn attack on policeman in Randalstown|work=NI Executive - OFMDFM Press Release (8 January 2010)|url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-080110-robinson-and-mcguinness.htm|access-date=25 January 2010}}</ref>
{{bar box
|title = National Identity of Randalstown residents (2011)
|titlebar=#ddd |left1=Nationality |right1=Per cent |float=right
|bars =
{{bar percent|British|Blue|46.3}}
{{bar percent|Northern Irish|Grey|32.9}}
{{bar percent|Irish|DarkOrchid|24.3}}
}}
On census day (27 March 2011) the usually resident population of Randalstown was 5,126 accounting for 0.28% of the NI total.<ref name="2011 Census">{{cite web |title=Census 2011 Population Statistics for Randalstown Settlement |url=https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Randalstown@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Randalstown@23? |website=NISRA |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=Census2011>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Randalstown@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Randalstown@23? | title = Census 2011 Population Statistics for Randalstown Settlement | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 30 July 2019}}</ref> Of these:
* 99.02% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group
* 54.74% belong to or were brought up Catholic and 39.82% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'
* 46.29% indicated that they had a British national identity, 24.33% had an Irish national identity and 32.91% had a Northern Irish national identity.
*10.67% had some knowledge of Irish; 9.30% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots; and 4.72% did not have English as their first language.


==Places of interest==
==Places of interest==
Line 51: Line 79:
* The Tudor style gateway to the [[Shane's Castle]] estate is in the town.
* The Tudor style gateway to the [[Shane's Castle]] estate is in the town.
* Randalstown OC Presbyterian Church, a fine example of Irish Gothic.
* Randalstown OC Presbyterian Church, a fine example of Irish Gothic.
* Around the corner from the gateway is the seven-piered, viaduct built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the [[River Main (County Antrim)|River Main]]. This has had a new bridge installed and a walk path created as part of the local healthy walking areas.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120723223953/http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/news/ARCHES-begins-consultation-on-how.5144598.jp]</ref>
* Around the corner from the gateway is the seven-piered, viaduct built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the [[River Main (County Antrim)|River Main]]. This has had a new bridge installed and a walk path created as part of the local healthy walking areas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/news/ARCHES-begins-consultation-on-how.5144598.jp |title=ARCHES begins consultation on how to bring more funding and projects … |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723223953/http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/news/ARCHES-begins-consultation-on-how.5144598.jp |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Craigmore Fishery, a [[Fly Fishing]] facility is located on the outskirts of town.
* Craigmore Fishery, a [[Fly Fishing]] facility is located on the outskirts of town.
* [[World of Owls]], Northern Ireland's only owl, bird of prey and exotic animal conservation centre is located next to Randalstown Forest.
* [[World of Owls]], Northern Ireland's only owl, bird of prey and exotic animal conservation centre is located next to Randalstown Forest.
*Caddy, a hamlet 3 miles north of the Randalstown centre, was site of a new school in 1908.<ref>THE PARALIAMENTARY DEBATES - Page cccxlix
*Caddy, a hamlet 3 miles north of the Randalstown centre, was site of a new school in 1908.<ref>THE PARALIAMENTARY DEBATES – Page cccxlix
1908 Erection of New School at Caddy, Randalstown. Mr. SLOAN (Belfast, S.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if plans and specifications have been prepared for the erection of a new school at Caddy, Randalstown ...</ref> and also a centre of beekeeping in the 1950s.<ref>British Bee Journal - Volume 102 - Page 259
1908 Erection of New School at Caddy, Randalstown. Mr. SLOAN (Belfast, S.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if plans and specifications have been prepared for the erection of a new school at Caddy, Randalstown ...</ref> and also a centre of beekeeping in the 1950s.<ref>British Bee Journal – Volume 102 – Page 259
1974 ... spirit level in setting the hive, and I have a vivid memory of a beautiful comb of eggs from a valuable breeder queen in Belfast being wrapped up for transport to Caddy, Randalstown, where nineteen virgin queens developed from it in 1953.</ref>
1974 ... spirit level in setting the hive, and I have a vivid memory of a beautiful comb of eggs from a valuable breeder queen in Belfast being wrapped up for transport to Caddy, Randalstown, where nineteen virgin queens developed from it in 1953.</ref>

⚫
==Demography==
In the 2011 Census Randalstown had a population of 5,126 people (1,996 households),<ref name=Census2011/> an increase of 3.4% on the 2001 Census population of 4,956.<ref name=Census2001>{{cite web | url = https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/PivotGrid.aspx?ds=4840&lh=69&yn=2001&sk=135&sn=Census%202001&yearfilter=2001 | title = Census 2001 Usually Resident Population: KS01 (Settlements) - Table view | page = 6 | publisher = [[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA) | access-date = 30 July 2019}}</ref>

Of these:
*21.9% were aged under 16 years and 14.1% were aged 65 and over
*48.0% of the population were male and 52.0% were female
*54.7% were from a [[Catholic]] and 39.8% were from a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] or other Christian background
*4.3% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
{{See also|Category:People from Randalstown}}

* [[John Bodkin Adams]], a suspected [[serial killer]], was born to a Plymouth Brethren family in Randalstown on 21 January 1899 and lived here until 1901. He became a [[general practitioner]] and worked in [[Eastbourne]] from 1922. He was charged in 1957 with the murder of two patients but was acquitted. He was, however, suspected of causing the death of 163 other patients.<ref>Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, {{ISBN|1-904027-19-9}}</ref>
* [[John Bodkin Adams]], a suspected [[serial killer]], was born to a Plymouth Brethren family in Randalstown on 21 January 1899 and lived here until 1901. He became a [[general practitioner]] and worked in [[Eastbourne]] from 1922. He was charged in 1957 with the murder of two patients but was acquitted. He was, however, suspected of causing the death of 163 other patients.<ref>Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, {{ISBN|1-904027-19-9}}</ref>
* [[David Ford]], the leader of the [[Alliance Party of Northern Ireland]] since 2001 and Northern Ireland Minister of Justice (2010-2016) lives in Randalstown.
* [[Alan Jones (architect)|Alan Jones]], Professor of Architecture at [[Queen's University Belfast]], past president of the [[Royal Society of Ulster Architects]] and was elected the 77th President of the [[Royal Institute of British Architects]] for 1 September 2019 – 2021.
* [[Alan Jones (architect)|Alan Jones]], Professor of Architecture at [[Queen's University Belfast]], past president of the [[Royal Society of Ulster Architects]] and was elected the 77th President of the [[Royal Institute of British Architects]] for 1 September 2019 – 2021.
* [[Molly McKenna]], trampoline gymnast
* [[Laurence McKeown]], author, playwright, screenwriter, and former member of the IRA who took part in the [[1981 Irish hunger strike]], striking for 70 days. In 1995 he co-founded the [[Belfast Film Festival]].
* [[Laurence McKeown]], author, playwright, screenwriter, and former member of the IRA who took part in the [[1981 Irish hunger strike]], striking for 70 days. In 1995 he co-founded the [[Belfast Film Festival]].
* [[Lady Moyra Campbell]], [[maid of honour]] at the [[coronation of Elizabeth II]]

==Sport==
*[[Randalstown Rugby Football Club]]


==Education==
==Education==
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*[[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]
*[[List of localities in Northern Ireland by population]]
*[[List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland]]
*[[List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland]]
*[[List of townlands in County Antrim]]
*[[List of townlands of County Antrim]]
*[[Market Houses in Northern Ireland]]
*[[Market houses in Northern Ireland]]


==References==
==References==
Line 92: Line 117:
{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Randalstown| ]]
[[Category:Towns in County Antrim]]
[[Category:Towns in County Antrim]]
[[Category:Townlands of County Antrim]]
[[Category:Townlands of County Antrim]]

Latest revision as of 21:29, 5 November 2024

For the area of Baltimore, see Randallstown, Maryland.

Randalstown
Randalstown is located in Northern Ireland
Randalstown
Randalstown
Location within Northern Ireland
Population5,151 (2021 census)
• Belfast19 mi (31 km)
District
County
CountryNorthern Ireland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townANTRIM
Postcode districtBT41
Dialling code028
PoliceNorthern Ireland
FireNorthern Ireland
AmbulanceNorthern Ireland
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
Northern Ireland
Antrim
54°44′46″N 6°18′22″W / 54.746°N 6.306°W / 54.746; -6.306

Randalstown (Irish: Baile Raghnaill[3]) is a townland and small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, between Antrim and Toome. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town. It had a population of 5,151 people in the 2021 census.[4]

History

[edit]

The townland of Randalstown was originally known as An Dún Mór ("the great fort"), anglicised as Dunmore. This refers to a medieval motte-and-bailey castle built by the Irish on the west bank of the river Main just south of the town.[5] A castle known as Edenduffcarrick, later Shane's Castle, was built near Randalstown in the 14th century by the O'Neills of Clannaboy.

From at least the 1650s the town was known as "Iron Mills" (Muilinn Iarainn in Irish, anglicised "Mullynieren").[5] In 1667, the town was created a free borough and was officially renamed Randalstown.[5] It was renamed to mark the marriage of Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim to Rose O'Neill of Shane's Castle.[5]

The 1798 United Irishmen rebellion began in Antrim following a meeting to prepare for revolt by the Ulster Directory on 1 February 1798, at McClean's Inn, Randalstown. Robert McClean's "Great Inn" had long been an Irish Volunteers meeting place. Following his death in 1790, his son Francis became the proprietor.[6]

Dunmore Park was used as a training camp for the Ulster Volunteers during the Irish Home Rule crisis.

Randalstown has a strong history of linen and iron industries. A memorial to this history is in the middle of the town and made from the original turbine used to generate mains electricity for the town and items salvaged from the Old Bleach Linen Company founded by James Webb in 1864. An old linen mill chimney from the Old Bleach factory can be seen from most parts of the town. The Dorma Old Bleach factory which operated from a neighbouring site closed down in 2002.

The town used to have an active railway station which opened in 1848 by the Belfast and Ballymena Railway. The station connected the town to the Northern Counties Committee line. The station was closed in 1950 and has been disused ever since.[citation needed]

On 1 October 1989, a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) car bomb exploded outside the town's police station on New Street causing serious damage to nearby property.[citation needed]

On 8 January 2010, PSNI Constable Peadar Heffron was seriously injured as a bomb exploded under his car on the Milltown Road near Randalstown. Dissident republicans were blamed for the attack.[7][8]

Demography

[edit]

2021 census

[edit]
National Identity of Randalstown residents (2021)
Nationality Per cent
British
 
 36.9%
Northern Irish
 
 33.8%
Irish
 
 31.0%

On census day (21 March 2021) the usually resident population of Randalstown was 5,151.[4] Of these:

  • 55.39% belong to or were brought up Catholic and 35.14% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'.[9]
  • 36.94% indicated that they had a British national identity,[10] 30.98% had an Irish national identity[11] and 33.76% had a Northern Irish national identity.[12]

2011 census

[edit]
National Identity of Randalstown residents (2011)
Nationality Per cent
British
 
 46.3%
Northern Irish
 
 32.9%
Irish
 
 24.3%

On census day (27 March 2011) the usually resident population of Randalstown was 5,126 accounting for 0.28% of the NI total.[13][14] Of these:

  • 99.02% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group
  • 54.74% belong to or were brought up Catholic and 39.82% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and other (non-Catholic) Christian (including Christian related)'
  • 46.29% indicated that they had a British national identity, 24.33% had an Irish national identity and 32.91% had a Northern Irish national identity.
  • 10.67% had some knowledge of Irish; 9.30% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots; and 4.72% did not have English as their first language.

Places of interest

[edit]
OC Presbyterian Church
  • The Tudor style gateway to the Shane's Castle estate is in the town.
  • Randalstown OC Presbyterian Church, a fine example of Irish Gothic.
  • Around the corner from the gateway is the seven-piered, viaduct built in 1855 to carry the railway line over the River Main. This has had a new bridge installed and a walk path created as part of the local healthy walking areas.[15]
  • Craigmore Fishery, a Fly Fishing facility is located on the outskirts of town.
  • World of Owls, Northern Ireland's only owl, bird of prey and exotic animal conservation centre is located next to Randalstown Forest.
  • Caddy, a hamlet 3 miles north of the Randalstown centre, was site of a new school in 1908.[16] and also a centre of beekeeping in the 1950s.[17]

Notable residents

[edit]
See also: Category:People from Randalstown

Sport

[edit]

Education

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Baile Raghnaill/Randalstown". Logainm.ie.
  2. ^ Ireland, Culture Northern (8 February 2006). "Ulster's Hiddlin Swaatch". culturenorthernireland.org. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Baile Raghnaill/Randalstown". logainm.ie. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Settlement 2015". NISRA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Place Names NI – Home". placenamesni.org.
  6. ^ Ulster in '98: episodes and anecdotes. Robert Magill Young 1893 Marcus Ward Belfast
  7. ^ "Car bomb officer Peadar Heffron's leg amputated". BBC NI News (13 January 2010). 13 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Robinson and McGuinness condemn attack on policeman in Randalstown". NI Executive – OFMDFM Press Release (8 January 2010). Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  9. ^ "Religion or religion brought up in". NISRA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  10. ^ "National Identity (British)". NISRA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  11. ^ "National Identity (Irish)". NISRA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  12. ^ "National Identity (Northern Irish)". NISRA. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Randalstown Settlement". NISRA. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Randalstown Settlement". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  15. ^ "ARCHES begins consultation on how to bring more funding and projects …". Archived from the original on 23 July 2012.
  16. ^ THE PARALIAMENTARY DEBATES – Page cccxlix 1908 Erection of New School at Caddy, Randalstown. Mr. SLOAN (Belfast, S.): To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if plans and specifications have been prepared for the erection of a new school at Caddy, Randalstown ...
  17. ^ British Bee Journal – Volume 102 – Page 259 1974 ... spirit level in setting the hive, and I have a vivid memory of a beautiful comb of eggs from a valuable breeder queen in Belfast being wrapped up for transport to Caddy, Randalstown, where nineteen virgin queens developed from it in 1953.
  18. ^ Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9
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