Scarva

Human settlement in Northern Ireland

Scarva

Location within County Down

Population320 (2001 Census)Irish grid referenceJ063436• Belfast25 mi (40 km)District

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon

County

County Down

CountryNorthern IrelandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townCRAIGAVONPostcode districtBT63Dialling code028Police Northern Ireland Fire Northern Ireland Ambulance Northern Ireland UK Parliament

Upper Bann

NI Assembly

Upper Bann

List of places: UK; Northern Ireland; Down

54°19′54″N 6°21′53″W / 54.3317°N 6.3646°W / 54.3317; -6.3646

Scarva (from Irish Scarbhach meaning "shallow place, rough ford")^[1]^[2] is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is at the boundary with County Armagh, which is marked by the Newry Canal. In the 2001 census it had a population of 320.

Scarva is home to the "Sham Fight" Pageant which is held on 13 July every year.^[3] The pageant attracts thousands of members of the Royal Black Preceptory, a group related to the Orange Order, who come to march and stage a theatrical (sham) re-enactment of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne.^[4]

History

During the Williamite War in Ireland (1689–1691), the forces of Frederick Schomberg reputedly first camped near Scarva, before marching south.^[5]

Much of the village was laid-out by John Reilly, owner of Scarvagh House, in the mid-18th century.^[5] This included the construction of Scarva's Presbyterian meeting house,^[5] which was built in 1753.^[6]

In the late 18th century, there were skirmishes in the area involving the Hearts of Steel and Break-of-day Boys.^[5]

Transport

Scarva railway station opened on 23 March 1859.^[7]

Scarva is on National Cycle Route 9, linking Belfast with Newry, and onwards to Dublin.^{[citation needed]}

Amenities

The village has a park, with playing fields and a wildlife pond, scenic walks and wild fowl sanctuary.^[8]

The local primary school, Scarva Primary School, had an enrollment of 61 pupils as of 2011.^[9]

Sport

The local football club is Scarva Rangers, formed in 1972. Home matches are played at Scarva Park.

People

Rear Admiral Charles Davis Lucas (1834–1914), recipient of the Victoria Cross
William Buller (born 1992), racing driver

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scarva.

^ Placenames NI Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine
^ Placenames Database of Ireland
^ "Crowds gather for Scarva's 'Sham fight'". Belfast Telegraph. 13 July 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
^ "Sham Fight draws thousands to Scarva parade". BBC. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lewis, Samuel, ed. (1837). "Scarvagh". A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. Lewis.
^ "Ulster's Changing Borders" (PDF). February 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2023. Scarva Presbyterian Meeting House is a T-shaped stone building built [..] in 1753, by Mr. Reilly, owner of Scarva House
^ "Scarva station" (PDF). Railscot – Irish Railways. Retrieved 28 August 2007.
^ "Scarva Park".
^ "Primary Inspection Report - Scarva Primary School, Craigavon" (PDF). Education and Training Inspectorate. September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2024.