Townland of Ballymagaraghy

Area: 268 acres
Irish Name: Meaning - The Townland of the McGaraghys.
Spelling Variations: none

Although there are a few thatched cottages left in Ballymagaraghy, and most of the original cottages have been extended, Sean points out how you can still see the way the buildings were originally set out kitty-korner from each other, rather than in a row, to protect from the wind. He also points out how many of them don't have a back door, for the same reason. The name of the village is thought to mean the town of the Garaghy family, although there is no one who lives there now with that name. Sean suspects that the Garaghys may have been a family of 'erenachs', lay administrators of Church lands nearby.

Taken from Carrowmena's Secret History by Sean Beattie
The Inish Times 21st November 2002.

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Pair of Standing Stones (Megalithic)
At Leckemy House 5 or 6 miles from Moville on road to Culdaff via Redford, take right fork towards Tremone Bay. In about 1 mile fork right for 0.75 miles to very interesting old village of Ballymagaraghy, further about 0.25 miles is site just over the S. side of road. On N. slope of Crockbrack (633 ft.) Arable and mountain pasture. Good View. Both stones are in line running roughly N.E. - S.W. and on a slight mound in a fairly level field on the gradual slope of the mountain. These are hard grey stone, there are other stones about, including some very large ones.

N.E. stone 3ft. 7ins. x 3ft 7ins x 1ft. (possibly broken)
S.W. stone 5ft 6ins. x2ft 7ins x 9ins. (tapering at top)
Distance apart: 2ft 7ins.

Standing Stone (Megalithic)
About 0.25 miles further east on same road, in field on N. or sea side of road. Arable and mountain pasture. Good view. This stone is small and irregular with a streak of white quartz down one edge. Close by some other stones, almost buried, suggest a circle.

Measurements: 3ft. 8ins. x 2ft. 3ins. x 1ft. 2ins.

(Taken from The Heritage of Inishowen by Mabel R. Colhoun)

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