Garvagh
A pleasant market town standing south of Coleraine and close to both the Rivers Bann and Agivey, Garvagh is the ideal spot for the game and coarse angler. There are many ancient and historic churches in the area, which also abounds in dolmens, burial chambers and standing stones.
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Garvagh - Garbhachadh, meaning the rough field - in the southern reaches of the Borough is a busy market town serving a hinterland of thriving agriculture and rural pursuits such as shooting and fishing. Situated close to both River’s Bann and Agivey, Garvagh is an ideal spot for the game and coarse angler.
The town’s strikingly wide main street and elegant buildings were created in Plantation times – after the original town was burned down in the Battle of Garvagh. This gives it spaciousness and elegance the original town certainly would not have had, presided over by a strong stone church tower with its attractive clock and castellated top.
The 19th Century British Prime Minister George Canning was born in the family home of Garvagh House, the extensive grounds of which have now been developed to create a forest park with gardens, nature trails and scenic routes. The rich rural tradition of the area is superbly celebrated in the Museum and Heritage Centre, created within the walled garden of the mansion, a treasure house of farming memorabilia and old farm machinery. Experiencing a real-life farm is possible at Arkhill Open Farm, where home-baked bread and pastries can be sampled as well as petting and feeding the animals.
Dolmens and other burial chambers, standing stones and ring forts testify to Garvagh’s long history of human habitation. Most dramatic are the Craclery Cairn at Ballydullaghan and the Tamnyrankin Cairn, the largest in Co. Londonderry. The Slaghteaverty dolmen is reputedly the grave of Abharach, the Celtic dwarf magician and the stone circles at Knockonerth are linked to the 10th Century High King of Ireland Nial Glundubh.