Dunloy

Dunloy lies in the ancient Irish district of "Killimorrie", which is now known as Killymurris. Killymurris is claimed as being derived from the Irish Coill Ui Mhuireadhaigh meaning "the wood of Murry". Just south of Dunloy village, in the townland of Ballymacaldrack is "Dooey's Cairn". This open court tomb, named after the landowner, is located on the slopes of Long Mountain and overlooks the valley of the River Main. The earliest known activity within the tomb is estimated at around 4000BC. Also on Long Mountain is another court Tomb, known as Broadstone. See: List of megalithic monuments in Ireland In the same townland lies the ancient graveyard of Caldernagh.

On 11 July 1978, John Boyle, a 16-year-old civilian, was shot dead by SAS soldiers in a graveyard in the village. The previous day he had discovered an IRA arms cache under a fallen tombstone when he was visiting a family grave and reported the weapons to his father. His father then contacted the Royal Ulster Constabulary who, rather than removing the weapons, passed the information to the British Army, who placed SAS operatives at the site. The next day, Boyle returned to the graveyard (presumably out of curiosity to see if the weapons were still there). He was then shot dead by the British soldiers, who alleged he picked up a rifle and aimed it towards them; however a leaked RUC document…