{{short description|Village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland}} {{for|people with surname Toome|Toome (surname)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Use British English|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox UK place | official_name = Toome | irish_name = Tuaim | scots_name = Toome Brig<ref>{{cite web|title=Leevin in tha Day of Quaen Victoria: Kintra dwallin-hooses|url=https://nmni.com/Documents/UFTM/Learning/ulsterscots_-rural-housing|website=National Museums Northern Ireland|publisher=Ulstèr Fowk an Convoyin Museum|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705043052/https://nmni.com/Documents/UFTM/Learning/ulsterscots_-rural-housing|url-status=live}}</ref> | local_name = | static_image_name = Toome Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 78227.jpg | static_image_width = | static_image_caption = The bridge over the River Bann at Toome<br>(built 2004) | map_type = Northern Ireland | coordinates = {{coord|54.75|-6.46|display=inline,title}} | population = 1,017 | population_ref = (2021 census)<ref name="NISRA">{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Richard |date=18 December 2023 |title=Census 2021: Person and household estimates for settlements CT0046 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-commissioned-table-ct0046.xlsx |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency |page=2}}</ref> | irish_grid_reference = H9990 | unitary_northern_ireland = Antrim and Newtownabbey | country = Northern Ireland | historic_county = | post_town = ANTRIM | postcode_area = BT | postcode_district = BT41 | dial_code = 028 | constituency_westminster = South Antrim | lieutenancy_northern_ireland = County Antrim | constituency_ni_assembly = South Antrim | belfast_distance = 24 | website = | hide_services = yes | pushpin_map = Northern Ireland County Antrim }} '''Toome''' or '''Toomebridge''' ({{Irish derived place name|Tuaim|tumulus}})<ref name="Logainm">{{Cite web |title=Tuaim/Toome |url=https://www.logainm.ie/63143.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113022536/https://www.logainm.ie/en/63143/ |archive-date=13 November 2024 |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=Placenames Database of Ireland}}</ref> is a village and townland on the northwest corner of Lough Neagh in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies in the civil parish of Duneane in the former barony of Toome Upper,<ref name="Logainm"/> and is in Dunsilly electoral area of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Conal |last2=Whyte |first2=Nicholas |date=16 November 2019 |title=Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council |url=https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/nlgan.htm |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=ARK}}</ref> It had a population of 1,017 in the 2021 census.<ref name="NISRA"/>
==History== In the 5th and/or 6th centuries, there was a woman in the parish of Duneane ({{Langx|ga|Dún dá Én|4=}}) known as '''Ercnat ingen Dáire'''. In 800 she was remembered as a saint but her cult was forgotten.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Charles-Edwards |first=T. M. |title=The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |date=4 January 2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |editor-last=Matthew |editor-first=H. C. G. |chapter=Ulster, saints of |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/51011 |ref=ref:odnb/51011 |access-date=10 February 2023 |editor-last2=Harrison |editor-first2=B. |chapter-url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-51011 |url-access=}}</ref>
Roddy McCorley, a Presbyterian radical, was a local of the parish of Duneane. He fought as a United Irishman in the Rebellion of 1798 against British rule in Ireland but was captured. He was hanged on 28 February 1800 "near the bridge of Toome", which had been partially destroyed by rebels in 1798 to prevent the arrival of reinforcements from west of the River Bann. His body was then dissected by the British and buried under the road that went from Belfast to Derry. In 1852, while the bridge at Toome was being replaced as part of drainage works on Lough Neagh, a nephew had McCorley's body exhumed between March 1852 and October 1853, and McCorley was then given a proper burial in an unmarked grave in Duneane. Although a memorial was made for McCorley's grave later, repeated desecration led to the grave becoming unmarked once more. In November 1954, a memorial in honour of McCorley was erected in Toome, but was destroyed by loyalists using explosives on 1 January 1969, anticipating a People's Democracy civil rights march through the village. In the late 1970s another monument was erected and stands in Toome as you enter the village from County Londonderry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Beiner |first=Guy |title=Rhythms of the Revolt: European Traditions and Memories of Social Conflict in Oral Culture |date=23 October 2017 |publisher=Routledge |year= |isbn=9781315467856 |editor-last=Guillorel |editor-first=Éva |edition=1st |pages=327-357 |chapter='The Enigma of "Roddy McCorley Goes to Die': Forgetting and Remembering a Local Rebel Hero in Ulster |access-date=28 June 2025 |editor-last2=Hopkin |editor-first2=David |editor-last3=Pooley |editor-first3=William G. |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321171382_The_enigma_of_Roddy_McCorley_Goes_to_Die_Forgetting_and_remembering_a_local_rebel_hero_in_Ulster}}</ref> His story became the subject of a popular song written in 1898 by Ethna Carbery.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Poetry and Balladry of the North in ‘98 |publisher=An Chartlann |pages=4-5 |chapter=Roddy McCorley |access-date=28 June 2025 |chapter-url=https://cartlann.org/dicilimt/2021/09/PoetryAndBalladryof98-1.pdf#page=4}}</ref>
== Economy == Eel fishing is a major industry around Lough Neagh,<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCambridge |first=Jonathan |date=15 April 2025 |title=It's back: first confirmed 2025 case of blue-green algae on Lough Neagh |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/environment/its-back-first-confirmed-2025-case-of-blue-green-algae-on-lough-neagh-5085267 |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=News Letter |quote=Lough Neagh supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water and sustains a major eel-fishing industry.}}</ref> with Toome hosting the largest eel fishery in Europe.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Audrey |date=13 August 2015 |title=NI eel fishery hopes to repeat open day success |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-33892222 |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> These fisheries supply both the British and European markets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 May 2025 |title=Lough Neagh eel fishery not consulted on action plan to tackle environmental crisis |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/lough-neagh-eel-fishery-not-consulted-on-action-plan-to-tackle-environmental-crisis-3VLP2M3QD5E4DE7BOTI4KEW7P4/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=The Irish News}}</ref> The eel fisheries have been commemorated in a number of poems by Seamus Heaney.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2024 |title=A Lough Neagh Sequence by Seamus Heaney |url=https://www.rte.ie/radio/dramaonone/plays/2024/0426/1445849-a-lough-neagh-sequence-by-seamus-heaney/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=RTÉ}}</ref> In September 2011, the eel fished in Lough Neagh were the first food product in Northern Ireland to achieve a Protected Geographical Indication status in the European Union.<ref name=":1" />
Within the last century, diatomite production has developed as extensive deposits are found in the Toome area.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://resources.bgs.ac.uk/PublicationPDFs/19799733.pdf |title=Geological Survey of Northern Ireland: The Geology of the Toome Development Area |last=Old |first=R. A. |date=27 October 1970 |publisher=Geological Survey of Northern Ireland |issue=30 |pages=2-3}}</ref> This mineral was used as an absorbent for explosives such as gelignite and as an abrasive in toothpastes and some cleaning products.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Townsend |first=Brian |date=1 October 2022 |title=Skye’s explosive past and its link to the Nobel Prize |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/4828309/skyes-explosive-past-and-its-link-to-the-nobel-prize/ |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=The Press and Journal}}</ref>
==Sport== The local Gaelic Athletic Association club in the area is Erins Own GAC, Cargin.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/getmedia/8ccc2d3b-e8d1-4309-aabc-b6869b3fb425/(4)-Redacted-CPRC-Minutes-11-June-2018.pdf.aspx |title=Minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee held in Mossley Mill on Monday 11 June 2018 at 6.30 PM |date=11 June 2018 |publisher=Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |page=11 |quote=Erin’s Own GAC, Cargin: Extension to existing building to create community hub facility within Toome Village... |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref>
In 1928, Toome was the scene of a hydroplane race on the River Bann. Hydroplanes from all across Ireland and the United Kingdom took part in the 'Bann 100'. The main trophies was The Belfast Newsletter Challenge trophy. Hydroplanes reached speeds of 34.77 mph. The hydroplane, 'Non Sequiter', won the {{Convert|100|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=|adj=on}} outboard race.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/135798/ |title=Hydroplane racing on River Bann (1928) |type=Motion picture |publisher=Gaumont-British |year=1928 |access-date=27 June 2025 |id=VLVAECHRX5RPH6HHLO62S4REWPZBK |via=British Pathé}}</ref><ref>The Northern Whig, 13 October 1930</ref>
==Transport== [[File:Former railway bridge at Toome - geograph.org.uk - 374157.jpg|thumb|Spanning time and missing a span on the Northern Counties Committee lines over the River Bann at Toome Bridge railway station.]] Toome had long been a bottleneck to traffic on the main Belfast to Derry road route. Construction of a bypass began in May 2002 and was completed in March 2004,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowry |first=Ben |date=15 March 2004 |title=New £18m Toome bypass hits the road |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/new-18m-toome-bypass-hits-the-road/28192740.html |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> shortening journey times and relieving congestion in the village.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 September 2009 |title=Toome Bypass |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/toome-bypass/28497657.html |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref>
Toome Bridge railway station was opened on 10 November 1856, shut for passenger traffic on 28 August 1950 and shut altogether on 1 October 1959.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toome station |work=Railscot - Irish Railways |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |access-date=2007-11-24 |archive-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302022802/http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Population==
=== 2021 census === In the 2021 census, Toome had a population of 1,017 (381 households).<ref name="NISRA" />
===2011 census=== In the 2011 census, Toome had a population of 781 (263 households);<ref name="Cen">{{cite web |title=Toome |url=http://www.nisra.gov.uk/census/2021/results/settlements.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422012413/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/census/2011/results/settlements.html |archive-date=22 April 2015 |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=Census 2021 Results |publisher=NI Statistics and Research Agency}}</ref> 91% were from a Catholic background and 6.3% were from a Protestant background.
===2001 census=== Toome is classified as a small village or hamlet by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (i.e. with population between 500 and 1,000). On census day (29 April 2001) there were 722 people living in Toome. Of these: :27.2% were aged under 16 years and 10.9% were aged 60 and over :48.8% were male and 51.3% were female :96.3% were from a Catholic background and 2.9% were from a Protestant background :6.2% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed<ref>2001 census</ref>
===1911 census=== In the 1911 census, Toome had a population of 194. Of these: :72.7% were Catholic and 27.3% were Protestant
==Notable people== {{See also|Category:People from Toome}}
* Motorcycle road racers Michael,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Roy |date=30 August 2011 |title=Manx Grand Prix: Treble joy overshadowed by tragedy |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/manx-grand-prix-treble-joy-overshadowed-by-tragedy/28651742.html |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Belfast Telegraph |quote=At Cadwell Park, Toome rider Michael Laverty secured his place among the top six contenders for the 2011 British Superbike Championship...}}</ref> John,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=3 April 2012 |title=Famous faces provide window of opportunity for Toome |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17596631 |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> and Eugene Laverty<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Roy |date=22 July 2013 |title=Andrea Antonelli death casts shadow over World Superbike race in Moscow |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/andrea-antonelli-death-casts-shadow-over-world-superbike-race-in-moscow/29437375.html |access-date=27 June 2025 |work=Belfast Telegraph |quote=Ulster's Jonathan Rea finished fourth on his Honda while Eugene Laverty crashed his Aprilia. Toome rider Laverty commented...}}</ref> are from Toome. *Willie John McBride (born 1940), Rugby union player, is a native of Toome who lives in Ballyclare.<ref name=":2" /> *Robin John Bailie (born 1937), solicitor, businessman and former Ulster Unionist Party and Alliance politician.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boothroyd |first=David |title=Biographies of Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons |url=http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/biographies.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116170716/http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/biographies.html |archive-date=16 January 2020 |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=United Kingdom Election Results}}</ref> * Deirdre Madden (born 1960), writer, was born in Toome.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingman |first=Heather |date=January 2016 |title=Deirdre Madden |url=https://www.tcd.ie/trinitywriters/writers/deirdre-madden/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=Trinity Writers |publisher=Trinity College Dublin}}</ref>
== See also == *List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
== References == ===Notes=== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== {{refbegin}} *[http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/roads/a6toomebypass.html Toome By-Pass] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060104194810/http://www.qub.ac.uk/arcpal/toome.htm Palaeoenvironmental Investigations at Toome By-pass] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311025901/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=16&to=347&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland] {{refend}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090201184620/http://www.riverbannireland.com/Toome.T294.aspx River Bann, Ireland] - Toome visitor information (archived) *[https://archive.today/20121205085558/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ni/landscapes Landscapes Unlocked] - Aerial footage from the BBC ''Sky High'' series explaining the physical, social and economic geography of Northern Ireland.
{{County Antrim}}
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Category:Villages in County Antrim Category:Townlands of County Antrim Category:Civil Parish of Duneane