thumb|St Colmanell's [[Church of Ireland]]

Ahoghill ( or ; ) is a small town and civil parish in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, four miles from Ballymena. It is located in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area. It had a population of 3,521 people at the 2021 census.

In early documents, Ahoghill is referred to as Magherahoghill meaning "the plain of the yew forest."

Demography

Ahoghill had a population of 3,521 people at the 2021 census, an increase of 3.7% on the 2011 census population of 3,403. At the 2021 census: still bears the effects of this event; it is visibly sunken to one side.

Today Ahoghill has three Presbyterian churches, First Ahoghill on Straid Road, Brookside on Brook Street and Trinity on Church Street. There is also St Colmanell's Church of Ireland on Church Street, a Gospel Hall on Glenhugh Road and a Roman Catholic Chapel on Ballynafie road.

The Troubles

On 19 April 1977 William Strathearn (39), a Catholic shop owner was shot and killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) while at his home in Ahoghill. The murder was carried out by Billy McCaughey who was a UVF member despite also being a former police officer.

The village has seen frequent sectarian attacks, particularly in 2005 when several Catholic families left after attacks on their homes, and is considered a staunchly loyalist area.

Sport

Ahoghill Thistle F.C. and Ahoghill Rovers F.C. are two local association football teams. The local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs include St. Mary's GAC and Clooney Gaels GAC.

Notable people

See also

  • List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
  • List of civil parishes of County Antrim

References

  • Culture Northern Ireland (archived 2007)