This article includes a list of general
references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding
inline citations. (April 2012) |
Cargan
| |
---|---|
The Legagrane Road in Cargan | |
Location within
Northern Ireland | |
Population | 588 ( 2011 Census) |
• Belfast | 25 mi (40 km) |
District | |
County | |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BALLYCASTLE |
Postcode district | BT44 |
Dialling code | 028 |
Police | Northern Ireland |
Fire | Northern Ireland |
Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
UK Parliament | |
NI Assembly | |
Cargan (from Irish an Carraigín, meaning "the small rock") [1] is a hamlet and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies at the foot of Slievenanee in Glenravel – locally known as "The Tenth Glen" along with the more widely known nine Glens of Antrim. It is part of Mid and East Antrim district. It had a population of 588 people (223 households) in the 2011 Census. [2] (2001 Census: 411 people)
One of the earliest anglicisations of the townland of Cargan is Carrigan. [1] In the late 1800s, the village of Cargan was known as Fisherstown. An iron ore mine was opened up around the same time. The ore was shipped to Barrow-in-Furness, first by horse, [3] then from 1875 by railway to Ballymena. The railway closed in 1937. [4]
The Ballymena to Cargan railway line was opened in 1875 and extended to Parkmore and Retreat in 1876. [5] Cargan railway station opened on 1 June 1894, was closed for passenger traffic on 1 October 1930, and finally closed altogether on 12 April 1937. [6] It was on the Ballymena, Cushendall and Red Bay Railway which operated narrow gauge railway services from Ballymena to Parkmore from 1875 to 1940. [7]
On Census day in 2011: