Magherafelt (GB)

1842 Maltese Cross of Magherafelt

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Magherafelt (from Irish: Machaire Fíolta, meaning "plain of Fíolta", is a small town and civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of c.8,800 It is the biggest town in the south of the county and is the social, economic and political hub of the area. It is part of Mid-Ulster District. Magherafelt has been documented as a town since 1425. An earlier name for the area was Teach Fíolta - ‘Fíolta’s (monastic) house’. This would suggest that there was a monastic settlement here under the leadership of Fíolta. The site of the medieval parish church may be marked by the ruins of a later church and graveyard at the bottom of Broad Street.

The Salters Company of London was granted the surrounding lands in South Londonderry in the seventeenth century as part of the Plantation of Ulster. Subsequently, the town began to take on its current shape with a central diamond forming the heart of the town.

During The Troubles in the late 20th century, 11 people were killed in or near Magherafelt in connection with the conflict.

Postmark Examples

Magherafelt Maltese Cross 1842

1842 cover Magherafelt to Ballymoney (GB), via Garvargh (GB) Reverse showing Magherafelt despatch and Garvargh (GB) transit.