Lavey, Catholic parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Lavey is a Catholic parish in County Londonderry that serves as a religious center for several small villages including Gulladuff and Knockloughrim. The parish encompasses fifteen distinct townlands and is organized around St Mary's Chapel as its central place of worship.
The parish was established to serve the Catholic community in this area, and St Mary's Chapel marked its 150th anniversary in 2025. The territory shares boundaries with several neighboring religious communities including Castledawson, Maghera, Ballyscullion, Greenlough, and Kilrea.
The name Lavey comes from the Irish word Leamhaigh, meaning Place of Elms, and locals connect this heritage to the green landscape that defines the area. This link to nature remains visible in how the region is experienced today.
The area is easiest to navigate by familiarizing yourself with local roads, as the villages are connected by smaller routes. Check service times in advance to plan a visit to the chapel.
The civil parish of Termoneeny overlaps with the southern portion of Lavey, creating an unusual administrative arrangement where religious and civil boundaries intersect. This overlap shows how historical administrative lines do not always align with modern religious territories.
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