Magherafelt

Magherafelt (Irish machaire Fíolta ) is a town in County Londonderry in the Province of Ulster in Northern Ireland, with about 8400 inhabitants ( 2001 census ). The city is located about halfway between Londonderry and Belfast in close proximity to Lough Neagh and the Sperrin Mountains. It is the administrative seat of the district of the same name.

The Irish name machaire Fíolta mean level of Fioghalta. The town's origins date back to the year 1425.

Facilities

Magherafelt has two primary and two secondary schools ( Woods Primary School, Magherafelt Controlled Primary School, Rainey Endowed Grammar School, St. Mary's Grammar School) and several sports clubs, among others, the football club O'Donovan Rossa Magherafelt GAC and the rugby club Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club Magherafelt. Magherafelt has an acute care hospital that is part of the Northern Health and Social Services Board, the Mid Ulster Hospital.

Personalities

• Harry Gregg ( born 1932 ), football player and coach
• Wendy Houvenaghel ( b. 1974 ), cyclist