Maghera

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Maghera is a small town in southern County Londonderry (population 2876 in 1991, 3711 in 2001, and still rising). It is the commercial and educational centre of rural South County Derry, serving surrounding towns and villages such as Swatragh, Tobermore, Upperlands, Gulladuff and Knockloughrim. St. Patrick's College is one of the largest schools in Mid-Ulster.

Evidence of long settlement include St. Lurach's Church, originally a monastery, dating from around 5000BC. It was of such importance that Maghera was a Bishop's seat in the 12th and 13th Centuries. The town of Maghera grew around this monastery, but the building has since fallen into ruins. Within the ruins, as an insert to the west wall is a sculpture of the crucifixion, which is thought to date from the 10th century - making it one of the oldest in the world.

Charles Thomson, only secretary of the Continental Congress (and who designed the Great Seal of the United States) was born near the town. also born in or near the town were Eve Bunting (children's author) and Dr Henry Cooke (the statue of whom lend the nickname "The Black Man" to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

Maghera is currently part of the Magherafelt District Council and North Eastern Education and Library Board areas.