[ Dungiven History ] [ Bovevagh History ] [ Former Clergy ]
A Brief History of Dungiven Parish
The name 'Dungiven' is sometimes translated 'Fort of the skins', or
alternatively 'the pleasant mount'.
It is thought that St Columba visited this area in 590A.D. He may well
have had an influence on its early Christian origins. The first mention of
a church in the area is a reference to 'the glen of the skins' around 678A.D.
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In 1100A.D. an Augustinian Priory was founded by the
O'Cahans. Canon Ford writes:
'To the monastery of Dungiven were sent for education the youth of
both sexes from the noblest families.'
Those who attended the priory were educated not only in academic
subjects but also in the use of weaponry. |
| By the early 17th century the priory had fallen into
disrepair. However, it was restored in 1613 and in the words of one
writer 'was used for Protestant worship'.
The chalice and paten from the priory remain in the possession of the
parish.
The ruins of the priory may still be seen near Dungiven town.
They are currently maintained by the Environment Heritage Service. |
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For the superstitious, a wart-well is still situated near the
priory.
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| The first church on the current site was built in 1711 but
by 1814 it had fallen into disrepair.
The worshippers used their sister-parish church at Banagher until the
current Dungiven church was built in 1816 using stone from Altmover
quarry.
The parish was separated from Banagher in 1850. The current
grouping of Dungiven and Bovevagh was established in 1929. |
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Dungiven Parish Hall was built immediately beside the church
in 1996. It replaced the Ogilby Hall which had been a school-house.
The hall was opened in May 1996 and burnt down just a few weeks later
in July 1996 by a sectarian arson attack.
Thanks to the hard-work of the parishioners and friends the hall was
re-built and re-opened in September 1997. |