Swatragh was a few miles from our small farm.  It is a small village with just over 500 residents.  My father would go there only occasionally – and more often than not, to visit the Northern Counties Co-Operative Enterprises Ltd (or the CO-OP as it was known).  This wonderful local initiative had been set up in the early 1960s. By late 1963, it had over one thousand members – mostly local farmers.  My father was a member and had less than ten pounds of shares in the venture.

I recently came across this old photograph of the village (and cleaned it up a tad).  Based on the specific type of British Telecom phone box in the image, the photograph was most likely taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s.

Anyway, the photo shows the grocery and amalgamated post office on Main Street in Swatragh.  If the time frame is correct, the man standing at the door may well be Anthony Mulholland who was the postmaster around that time.

Swatragh grocery & post office

While perusing old newspapers, I encountered a number of interesting stories linked to Swatragh.

1843, Mercers’ Delegation Visits Kilrea & Swatragh

A deputation from the Mercers’ Company, consisting of Mr. Watney, Mr. Palmer, and Mr. Black, arrived at Kilrea on Thursday, the 10th of August 1843, on visit to the extensive estates of the company that neighbourhood, and took up their residence at the Mercers’ Hotel in that town, the Manor house being occupied by the company’s agent (Mr. Holmes.)

On arriving on the confines of the property they were met by large numbers of their tenantry, and were most warmly welcomed and greeted, which reception continued throughout the whole route; and in no place were they more warmly received than the town of Swatragh; thus proving that the opinions as the estimation in which the London Companies are held their tenants, are by no means entertained in the north of Ireland, and that the active co-operations of the tenantry with their landlords in promoting agriculture and the propriety of that part of Ireland, may be confidently relied on.

On Thursday, the 15th, the deputation entertained all the school children at present in the course of education in the Kilrea division of the estate, to the number of about 1000; and on Saturday, the 17th, lesser numbers were entertained on the Swatragh portion. The orderly behaviour of the children, and the good feeling evinced by all parlies on these occasions was highly gratifying to the deputation.

At Swatragh, the entertainment was given in the open air; and the day proving ultimately fine, the scene was really such a one as will leave a deep impression on the minds of all present, of the good that must flow from reciprocal confidence between landlord and tenant.

During the entertainment, the health of her Most Gracious Majesty was given, amid loud cheering, with the National Anthem — the responses given by the assembled multitude, and with a spirit and enthusiasm, too, rarely equalled.

The day will be recorded in the annals of the retired village of Swatragh, as one of unmixed gratification to all present on the occasion. The deputation having terminated the immediate objects of their visit, separated highly pleased with the reception that they received during their stay.

Londonderry Standard – Wednesday 06 September 1843

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Here’s details of a funeral in late 1892, of a well-respected Swatragh lady.  The list of mourners gives a good insight, from a moment in time, of the main people that lived in the area.

1892, Funeral of Mrs McFadden, Swatragh

After early Mass yesterday morning, the remains of this highly-esteemed and most amiable lady were conveyed by hearse to Garvagh Railway Station.

Notwithstanding the earliness of the hour and the inclemency of the morning, the hearse was followed by a great number of vehicles, and a large body of the most respectable people of the village and the adjoining townlands, thus testifying to the very high esteem in which the deceased lady was held.

The following are the names of some of those who were at the funeral:— Sergeant McFadden, Swatragh; Acting-Sergeant O’Brien, Cavan; Constables Glass, Keating, and Cummins, R.I.C., Swatragh; ex-Sergeant Glass, do.; Mr. Mulholland, Schools, Swatragh; Sergeant Neely. Constables O’Reilly and McGinty, Maghera; Messrs. Daniel Boylan, Garvagh; Edward O’Kane, Tirhugh; Edward Friel, senior, Swatragh; Edward Friel, junior, do.; John Friel, do.; John McKeefry, senior, do.; John M’Keefry, junior, do.; Henry M’Keefry, do.; John O’Kane, do.; Matthew Diamond, do.; Thomas O Kane, do.; Hugh Wade, Garvagh; John McMullan, do.; Robert Smyrrel, Swatragh; John Kinney, do; Patrick McKeefry, do.; Robert Norris, do.; Neil Collins. Granahan; George Adams, Tirhugh; John M’Gilligan, do.; John Michael, Swatragh ; Michael Doogan, do.; Stewart Atkinson, Swatragh; Daniel McNicholl, Maghera; Sergeant Shier, Constables Ranaghan, Clarke, and Carroll, Garvagh.

On arriving at Garvagh Railway Station, the remains were transferred to the train, whence they were conveyed to Derry, reaching there about twelve o’clock. On arriving in the city, a crowd of friends and sympathisers awaited and accompanied the remains to the place of interment in the Derry Cemetery.

Derry Journal 8th November 1892

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1953, Taoiseach Visits Swatragh

Swatragh – A singular occasion in the life of the village occurred on Monday when An Taoiseach, Mr. de Valera, made a short halt to acknowledge the greetings of an assembled crowd.

An Taoiseach was on his return journey from Portstewart after his memorable visit to Bailycastle. When the news of his arrival in the neighbourhood of the village became known, a large crowd quickly assembled and lined the street to greet him.

The National Flag was displayed from many windows. Many of those present had the honour of a handshake and all wished him long life.

Derry Journal – Friday 07 August 1953