Place Name

Straw, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Where the Straw is Strong and the Jokes are Long!

Introduction:

Straw. A name that conjures up hay bales, barns, and the faint sound of a cow judgin your life choices. It’s the kind of name that makes ye pause mid‑sentence and think, “Surely not. Surely they didn’t just call the place Straw.”

But they did. And it’s glorious.

Folk love to speculate. Was it named by a farmer who’d run out of imagination? Was it a misheard word shouted across a field? Or was it simply the result of someone tryin to fill in a map before lunch and thinkin, “Aye, that’ll do rightly.”

Whatever the truth, Straw is a village that embraces its name with pride, humour, and a wink.

Toponymy

Let’s break this name apart:

Straw – Evokes farmyards, thatched roofs, rustic charm, and the occasional sneeze. Some say it comes from the Old Irish “sráid,” meanin street. Others reckon it’s a nod to the agricultural heritage of the area.

Either way, it’s a name that makes visitors pause before sayin it aloud, often leadin to a giggle or a raised eyebrow.

Historical Context:

The earliest known usage of Straw is as elusive as a needle in, well, a haystack. Some believe it comes from the Irish “sráid,” hintin at an old road or settlement. Others think it’s tied to the straw used in thatched roofs that once dotted the landscape.

Or maybe it was a local bard tryin to rhyme somethin and thinkin, “Straw’ll do.”

Whatever the truth, Straw ensures travellers arrive ready to speculate on whether logic ever played a part. Spoiler: probably not.

Points of Interest

If yer in the area, drop in on us:

• Draperstown Heritage Centre – A treasure trove of local history and quirky tales.

• Slieve Gallion – A majestic hill with views that’ll knock the wind out of ye.

• The Old Church of St. Patrick – A peaceful, historic gem perfect for reflection.

• Magherafelt Town – Shops, cafés, and enough bustle to balance out the quiet charm of Straw.

• The Straw Gallery – Local art, local talent, and a name that ties the whole village together.

Notable Figures

Folk associated with Straw or County Londonderry:

• John McGahern – Author whose works capture rural Irish life.

• Seamus Heaney – Nobel Prize winner whose poetry grew straight out of this soil.

• Martin McGuinness – A key political figure from the region.

• Phil Coulter – Musician whose melodies echo the Irish countryside.

• Mary McAleese – Former President of Ireland with deep ties to the area.

Conclusion:

So next time ye find yourself in Straw, take a wee moment to appreciate how geography, humour, and pure Northern Irish simplicity can collide to create a name that makes as much sense as a cow wearin sunglasses. It’s a place where the absurd meets the charming, and every bale of straw has a story.

And if ye’re hungry for more peculiar place names, grab two halves of a coconut and clip‑clop over to www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland are burstin with names that’ll make ye laugh, blink, and wonder what on earth the locals were thinkin.

FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames

INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024