Curran, County Londonderry
| Curran | |
| Curran[1][1][2] | |
 Curran Presbyterian Church |
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| Population | 132 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| District | Mid-Ulster |
| County | County Londonderry |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | BT |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| NI Assembly | Mid Ulster |
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Coordinates: 54°47′46″N 6°36′58″W / 54.796°N 6.616°W
Curran (from Irish: an Corrán, meaning "the crescent")[1] is a small village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 132 people. It is within the Mid-Ulster District Council area, specifically within the Moyola District Electoral Area. The village is in the Mid-Ulster constituency for Westminster and Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
Once a thriving market village, Curran has been superseded in recent years by other surrounding towns and villages. The shop, post office and primary school have all closed, the latter being amalgamated with the new primary school in nearby Knockloughrim. Curran Presbyterian Church is a joint charge with Castledawson Presbyterian Church. The main A6 Belfast-Derry road runs nearby. The majority of local Anglicans worship at Termoneeny Parish Church in Knockloughrim.
Curran Flute Band are a popular sight at parades in County Londonderry and further afield; they are one of only three surviving traditional 'kettle drum' flute bands left anywhere in Ireland. The other two are Moneymore Bible and Crown Defenders and Ballynenagh Flute Band, both of which are also in County Londonderry. Bands like this were once the norm in Orange circles, but have faded with the passing of the decades. Curran Flute Band, founded in 1931, keep that old tradition alive, and are highly popular as a result. They lead Curran Hamilton's True Blues LOL 121 on July 12 and Curran Golden Star RBP 446 on the Last Saturday in August every year.
The village is also home to the oldest continuously working Masonic lodge in the Province of Londonderry and Donegal. Formed in 1776 the lodge still meets in the Freemason's Hall in the centre of the village.
References
- 1 2 3 Placenames Database of Ireland
- ↑ Toner, Gregory; Place-Names of Northern Ireland, Volume Five, County Derry I, The Moyola Valley, 1996. ISBN 0-85389-613-5
