Feeny
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Feeny
| |
|---|---|
 | |
  Feeny Location within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 690 (2011) |
| Irish grid reference | C627055 |
| • Belfast | 58 miles |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDONDERRY |
| Postcode district | BT47 |
| Dialling code | 028, +44 28 |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Feeny (from Irish Na Fíneadha 'the woods')[1][2] is a village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is between Dungiven and Claudy. In the 2011 Census it had a population of 690. Feeny lies just inside the boundary of the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[3] It is situated within Causeway Coast and Glens district.
Feeny has a health centre, community centre and Gaelic Athletic Association club. However, it only has a small number of shops.[3] There are two pubs in the village, commonly referred to as the top bar and bottom bar due to their location on the hill of main street. It has a population of around 690 in 2011.
A community regeneration project has been proposed for the village, funded by the International Fund for Ireland. The project, to be undertaken by Feeny Community Association, involves redeveloping a derelict site in the village centre to commercial premises, three apartments and a community office. This will be alongside an environmental improvement scheme in Main Street, which would create a stronger commercial centre, more jobs, and improve the appearance of the village.[3]
History
Near the village is the General's Bridge, the site of the famous ambush by highwayman Shane Crossagh.[4] This is where Sean Crossan held up some British Redcoats by placing wooden cut-out muskets into some bushes.
During the Troubles, off-duty Ulster Defence Regiment soldier James Hood was killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) at his house near Feeny on 4 January 1973.[5]
Places of interest
On the outskirts of the village, towards Dungiven, lies four-storey Drumcovitt House which was built over 300 years ago by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and is a visible reminder of the Plantation of Ulster period.[4] In 1796 a round ended Georgian front was added to the house. It is now tourist accommodation.[6]
Banagher Glen National Nature Reserve is also close to the village,[4] and Aughlish stone circles and alignments are approximately 3 km from Feeny.
About a mile outside the village is the Owenbeg River a significant tributary to the River Roe can be seen from a layby at the bridge between Feeny and Dungiven.[citation needed]
Transport
Education
St Canice's is the local primary school.[3]
