Coleraine

Coleraine is at the lowest bridgeable point of the River Bann, where the river is {{Convert|90|m}} wide. The town square is called 'The Diamond' and is the location of Coleraine Town Hall. The three bridges in Coleraine are the Sandelford Bridge, Coleraine Bridge and the Bann Bridge.{{cite web|url=https://apps.communities-ni.gov.uk/Buildings/buildview.aspx?id=6990&js=false|title=Town Hall (HB 03/18/001)|publisher=Department for Communities|access-date=15 May 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516102747/https://apps.communities-ni.gov.uk/Buildings/buildview.aspx?id=6990&js=false|url-status=live}}

File:Coleraine Bridge River Bann.jpg

File:The Sandelford Bridge Coleraine.jpg

The town has a large catchment area and is designated as a "major growth area" in the Northern Ireland Development Strategy.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

File:Diamond, Coleraine, circa 1890? (9265719553).jpg

Coleraine has some of the oldest evidence of human settlement in Ireland.{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=C. Michael |date=2013 |editor1-last=Saundry |editor1-first=Peter |title=Irish Sea |url=https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Irish_Sea |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926180903/https://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Irish_Sea |archive-date=26 September 2021 |access-date=1 February 2018 |publisher=Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment |location=Washington DC}} Mount Sandel dates from approximately 5935 BC.The Statesman's Yearbook 2007, Macmillan Publishing, page 678, edited by Barry Turner, {{ISBN|1-4039-9276-2}}/{{ISBN|978-1-4039-9276-5}} The Iron Age souterrain and Ogham Stone and be found just southwest of Coleraine at Dunalis.{{cite book |last=Meehan |first=Cary |date=2004 |title=Sacred Ireland |url= |location=Somerset |publisher=Gothic Image Publications |page=168 |isbn=0 906362 43 1 |access-date=}}

The 9th Century hagiography, Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick, records how the town got its name. When Patrick arrived in the neighbourhood, he was received with great honour and hospitality by the local chieftain, Nadslua, who offered him a piece of ground on which to build a church. The spot was next to the river Bann and was overgrown with ferns, which were being burned by some boys to amuse themselves. This incident led to the area being called {{lang|ga|Cúil Raithin}} ('nook of ferns'), which was later anglicised as Coulrath, Colrain, Colerain and Coleraine. It was translated by Colgan into Latin as {{lang|la|Secessus Filicis}}.

The town's main Church of Ireland church, St. Patrick's Church, is named in reference to this history. It was heavily remodelled by the architect Sir Thomas Drew in the 1880s.

The town was one of the two urban communities developed by the London Companies in County Londonderry in the Plantation of Ulster at the start of the 17th century. In particular, The Honourable the Irish Society was made responsible for much of Coleraine and it remains so today.

The slightly skewed street pattern of Coleraine's town centre is the legacy of that early exercise in town planning, along with traces of the lines of the ramparts that provided the Plantation town with its defences.

During the War of the Two Kings (1689–91) Coleraine was a centre of Protestant resistance to the rule of James II. Richard Hamilton's Irish Army made an attempt to seize the town but was repulsed. The Protestants were forced to abandon the town shortly afterwards and withdrew to Derry.

Later the same year, following the failed Siege of Derry, Sir Charles Carney and his Jacobite garrison fled the town on receiving news of the advance of Percy Kirke's Enniskillen forces and the landing at Carrickfergus of Marshal Schomberg. The Williamites controlled Coleraine for the remainder of the war.

With some industrialisation, the expansion of the river port, and the development of the railway, the town expanded throughout the 19th century.

The population doubled due to a number of factors: major industrial development on extensive suburban sites, including a substantial distillery producing Coleraine Whiskey; the expansion of commerce; and the development of sporting and recreational facilities.

The town sent soldiers to both world wars. The town's population then expanded significantly after the Second World War.

In 1968 the New University of Ulster opened in the town (later the 'New' was dropped from the name) and became a major employer. The university also attracted students to the area.

There has been a steady expansion of the urban area from the mid-20th-century compact town of less than {{Convert|2.25|mi2}}, to the present much more dispersed area of about {{Convert|7|mi2}}. Since 1980s growth has continued but at a slightly more modest pace. In the twenty years to 2001 the town's population increased by 22% to approximately 25,000 but the rate of increase fell from 12% in the 1980s to 8% in the 1990s.{{cite web |date=May 2005 |title=Northern Area Plan 2016 – Technical Supplement 1 (Population and Housing) |url=https://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/dev_plans/devplans_az/northern_2016/northern2016-techsupp-01-population.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007115739/http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/dev_plans/devplans_az/northern_2016/northern2016-techsupp-01-population.pdf |archive-date=7 October 2014 |access-date=1 February 2018 |website=planningni.gov.uk |publisher=The Planning Service}}

During The Troubles a total of 11 people were killed in or near Coleraine prior to 1998.

Ten people were killed separate bomb explosions:

• On 12 June 1973, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a car bomb on Railway Road, with inadequate warning. Six Protestant civilians, all in their sixties and seventies, were killed.[https://archive.today/20130420005426/http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/news/local/forgotten_massacre_1_1969928 "Forgotten Massacre". Coleraine Times. 11 November 2008] Retrieved 15 February 2012
• The second most fatal incident occurred on 2 October 1975 when four members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) were killed when their own bomb went off as they travelled through Farrenlester near Coleraine.{{Cite web|title=CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths|url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1975.html|access-date=2019-05-26|website=cain.ulster.ac.uk|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816164330/https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1975.html|url-status=live}}
• Danny Cassidy, a Sinn Féin electoral worker, was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters in April 1992.{{cite web |date=23 October 2011 |title=RUC faces collusion row over security leak |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ruc-faces-collusion-row-over-security-leak-1548987.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515182751/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ruc-faces-collusion-row-over-security-leak-1548987.html |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=The Independent}}

Separately, a non-fatal van bomb was detonated by the IRA on 13 November 1992 in the town centre. It resulted in extensive property damage and several major buildings were being demolished.{{cite web |date=23 October 2011 |title=Brave faces and bargains amid the ruins |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/brave-faces-and-bargains-amid-the-ruins-1563331.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515182308/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/brave-faces-and-bargains-amid-the-ruins-1563331.html |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=The Independent}} Coleraine Town Hall required major structural work, and was not reopened until August 1995.{{cite web |date=31 March 2009 |title=Town hall tells 150 years of history |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7971842.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403030236/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7971842.stm |archive-date=3 April 2009 |access-date=13 May 2021}}

Coleraine has continued to experience sectarianism and paramilitary activity following 1998.

• In 2001 John Henry McCormick (25), who was believed to be Catholic, was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in his home. His partner and children were in the house on the Ballysally estate.{{cite web |date=24 June 2001 |title=Loyalists blamed for Coleraine murder |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1404889.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926180853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/1404889.stm |archive-date=26 September 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |publisher=BBC}}
• In 2002 a teenager with no paramilitary connections was killed when he picked up a pipe bomb in the Heights estate in the town.{{cite web|date=5 January 2002|title=Teenager dies in Coleraine while handling pipe-bomb|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/teenager-dies-in-coleraine-while-handling-pipe-bomb-1.1045609|access-date=13 May 2021|publisher=The Irish Times|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515183206/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/teenager-dies-in-coleraine-while-handling-pipe-bomb-1.1045609|url-status=live}}

There is reason to believe that there is still substantial sectarian violence and paramilitary activity in Coleraine.

• In 2021, the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced it had set up a special task force due to the rise in paramilitary shootings in the town.{{Cite news |date=2021-02-12 |title=Coleraine: Task force tackles 'worrying' rise in shootings |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56029630 |access-date=2025-01-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
• In 2023, a man in his 30s was shot four times after being hooded and taken out of the town in a planned attack by a gang of masked men.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-19 |title=Coleraine shooting: Man in hospital after attack by masked men |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-64696909 |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
• In 2024, the Police Service of Northern Ireland appealed for information after shots were fired at a house in the Ballysally estate.{{Cite web |title=Appeal after shots fired at house in Coleraine {{!}} PSNI |url=https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/appeal-after-shots-fired-house-coleraine |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.psni.police.uk |language=en}}

Northern Ireland is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a GDP per capita lower than Bulgaria.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Letters: Northern Ireland is now one of the poorest regions of Europe |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/letter-northern-ireland-is-now-one-of-the-poorest-regions-of-europe-MFAFL5HTTZDGLCYANFPSNPF5PI/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} Coleraine sits within the second poorest council areas in Northern Ireland, both in terms of relative poverty and absolute poverty.{{Cite web |title=Anti Poverty Stakeholder Steering Group |url=https://causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/live/community-culture/community-services/anti-poverty-stakeholder-steering-group |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council |language=en}}

There are widespread concerns that the high street in Coleraine has seen a steady decline in shops closing.{{Cite web |last=Magee |first=Julie |date=2025-01-14 |title=Exclusive - trader warns of town centre ‘tipping point’ |url=https://www.colerainechronicle.co.uk/news/2025/01/14/news/exclusive-trader-warns-of-town-centre-tipping-point-55393/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.colerainechronicle.co.uk |language=en}}

Historically a number of products were made in the town, such as Coleraine Cheddar and Coleraine Whiskey. However, over the years the production of these goods has moved out of the town:

• Coleraine Cheddar is now made in Portadown;{{Cite web |title=Coleraine Cheddar {{!}} Local Cheese From Portadown |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/coleraine-cheddar |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.tasteatlas.com}}
• Coleraine Whiskey, now made by Irish Distillers in Cork.{{Cite web |title=Coleraine Irish Whiskey 70cl 40% abv |url=https://www.vineyardbelfast.co.uk/products/5011007008017 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=The Vineyard Belfast |language=en}}

Coleraine once had some 35 pubs, which has now been reduced to 5. Many of the pubs have substantial political affiliations.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

File:River Bann at Coleraine.JPG

Coleraine railway station opened on 4 December 1855 and shares facilities with the town's Ulsterbus bus depot. Passenger service is delivered via the Belfast-Derry railway line along the scenic shore of Lough Foyle and the Coleraine–Portrush branch line. The Belfast–Derry railway line is to be upgraded to facilitate more frequent trains and improvements to the permanent way such as track and signalling to enable faster services.

The railway station was closed for goods traffic on 4 January 1965.{{cite web |title=Coleraine station |url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042407/http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2007 |access-date=30 August 2007 |work=Railscot – Irish Railways}}

Coleraine has a population of approximately 25,000 people, making it a relatively small town within the official classification of a 'large town' (i.e. with a population between 18,000 and 75,000 people).{{cite web |date=February 2005 |title=Statistical Classification and Delineation of Settlements |url=http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/documents/ur_report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601041210/http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/documents/ur_report.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2018 |access-date=1 February 2018 |work=NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) |at=Table 3 / Band C – Large Town}}

According to the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, the area is the second poorest in Northern Ireland both in terms of relative poverty and absolute poverty. Northern Ireland itself is one of the poorest countries in Europe, therefore Coleraine being one of the poorest parts of NI means many people in the area face substantial deprivation.

Coleraine is home to one of the largest Polish communities in Northern Ireland (Approx. 2% of the Coleraine population are Polish, compared to a NI average of 1.25%).{{Cite web |date=2013-03-14 |title=Dzien dobry Coleraine 600 Polish now living in area |url=https://www.northernirelandworld.com/lifestyle/dzien-dobry-coleraine-600-polish-now-living-in-area-2707481 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=NorthernIrelandWorld |language=en}}

On Census day (2021) there were 24,483 people living in Coleraine.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Population {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} Of these:

• 18.78% were aged under 16, 63.25% were aged between 16 and 65, and 17.97% were aged 66 and over.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Age {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=AGE_BAND_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 51.88% of the usually resident population were female and 48.11% were male.{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Sex (MS-A07) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=UR_SEX&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}
• 61.72% are or were brought up Protestant (including other Christian-related denominations), 24.38% are or were brought up Catholic, 1.33% are or were brought up in an 'other' religion, and 12.57% did not adhere to or weren't brought up in any religion.{{cite web |title=Religion or religion brought up in |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=RELIGION_BELONG_TO_OR_BROUGHT_UP_IN_DVO&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=NISRA}}
• 61.91% indicated they had a British national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (British) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BRITISH&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} 36.74% indicated they had a Northern Irish national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (Northern Irish) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_NORTHERN_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} 11.17% indicated they had an Irish national identity,{{Cite web |title=Preview data for National Identity (Irish) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_IRISH_AGG3&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}} and 8.35% indicated they had an 'other' national identity.{{cite web |title=National identity (person based) - basic detail (classification 1) |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/data?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=NAT_ID_BASIC&%7ESETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=NISRA}} (respondents could indicate more than one national identity)
• 15.65% had some knowledge of Ulster Scots and 4.44% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaeilge).{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Ulster-Scots (MS-B08) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=ULSTER_SCOTS_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Preview data for Knowledge of Irish (MS-B05) {{!}} NISRA Flexible Table Builder |url=https://build.nisra.gov.uk/en/custom/viewdata?d=PEOPLE&v=SETTLEMENT15&v=IRISH_SKILLS_INTERMEDIATE&~SETTLEMENT15=N11000173 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=build.nisra.gov.uk}}

{{unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}

Coleraine has considerably more churches per 1,000 people than the average in the UK or the Republic of Ireland:

• St. Patrick's, Church of Ireland (Anglican)
• St. Andrew's, Church of Ireland (Anglican)
• Killowen Parish, Church of Ireland (Anglican)
• St. John's (Roman Catholic)
• St. Malachy's (Roman Catholic)
• 1st Coleraine Presbyterian (Presbyterian)
• Hazelbank Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
• Terrace Row (Presbyterian)
• New Row (Presbyterian)
• Ballysally Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
• Coleraine Free Presbyterian Church (Free Presbyterian)
• Coleraine Methodist Church (Methodist)
• Coleraine Baptist Church (Baptist)
• Elim Pentecostal Church Coleraine (Pentecostal)
• RCCG KGG (Pentecostal)
• Coleraine Congregational Church (Evangelical)
• Church Of Christ (Evangelical)
• Causeway Coast Vineyard (Evangelical)
• North West Fellowship Church (Evangelical)
• Mountsandel Fellowship Church (Evangelical)
• Coleraine Seventh-day Adventist Church (Seventh-day Adventist)

Coleraine has a broadly loyalist culture, and contains an Orange Hall and several marching bands:

• Coleraine and Casterton Pipes and drums
• Coleraine Fife and Drum Band
• Pride Of The Bann (blood & thunder)

The town is surrounded by farmland, and there is a significant countryside community. Local venues often organise country music events.{{Cite web |title=Johnny Brady headlines Bushtown House Festival |url=https://www.farmersjournal.ie/entertainment/country-sound/johnny-brady-headlines-bushtown-house-festival-159699 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.farmersjournal.ie |language=en}}

{{wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836/The Coleraine Salmon Leap|The Coleraine Salmon Leap, a poetical illustration by L. E. L.}}

The poetical illustration The Coleraine Salmon Leap by Letitia Elizabeth Landon, in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836, refers to an abundance of salmon in the river here in those times, and to a considerable sport derived therefrom. It accompanies an engraving of a painting of the salmon leap by Thomas Mann Baynes.{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=2dBbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PT98|section=poetical illustration|page=46|year=1835|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=2dBbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PT100|section=picture|year=1835|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}

Coleraine was the headquarters of the former Coleraine Borough Council In 2015 this was amalgamated under the reform of local government in NI to form the Causeway Coast and Glens District Council, which is now based in the former Coleraine Borough Council headquarters.

The town sits within the East Londonderry constituency for elections to the Westminster Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, despite some of the borough being in County Antrim.

Coleraine is near the Causeway Coast tourist route, attracting over 2 million annual visitors.{{cite web | title=Investing in Coleraine | work=Capital of the Causeway Coast | url=http://www.coleraine.co.uk/htmlsite/investing.asp?step=2&id=4&pstring=4 | access-date=14 September 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607212748/http://www.coleraine.co.uk/htmlsite/investing.asp?step=2&id=4&pstring=4 |archive-date = 7 June 2007}} A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway, is a 25-minute bus ride away. The distillery village of Bushmills is served by buses from the town and there is a narrow-gauge steam train running in the summer from Bushmills to the Giant's Causeway. Also north of Coleraine is the scenic coastal town of Portstewart, with a sandy beach and coastal walks. Portrush is part of the Borough.

North-west of Coleraine lies the small village of Castlerock, with a beach which is essentially a continuation of the beach at Portstewart, separated by the mouth of the River Bann. Also nearby is the beach at Benone Strand and Mussenden Temple, built by Frederick Augustus Hervey, an 18th-century Anglican bishop atop a precipitate cliff and overlooking County Donegal in one direction and Scotland in another. The bishop's residence, Downhill House, which is managed by the National Trust, fell into disrepair after the Second World War.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/londonderry/A726022.shtml|title=Bishop Hervey|last=Willis|first=Brian|work=Your Place and Mine|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 April 2009|archive-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004040131/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/londonderry/A726022.shtml|url-status=live}}

Coleraine during the day is busy but relatively quiet at night.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Much of the nightlife in the area centres on the nearby seaside resort towns of Portrush and Portstewart, with the three towns forming a combined visitor area known as “The Triangle”.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Coleraine experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and relatively mild winters. The nearest official Met Office weather station for which online records are available is at nearby Coleraine University,{{Cite web | publisher = MetOffice | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/locations.jpg/ | title = Station locations | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006020941/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/locations.jpg | archive-date = 6 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }} about {{Convert|1|mi|1}} north of the town centre. However, observations ceased a few years ago and the nearest current Met Office weather observing station is at Movanagher, about {{Convert|12|mi}} to the south. Rainfall at Coleraine typically peaks at over {{cvt|100|mm}} during the month of October. The driest month is May, with an average of under {{cvt|60|mm}}.{{Cite web | publisher = MetOffice | url = http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/coleraineuniversity_rainfall.gif/ | title = Coleraine Rainfall | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121015165313/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/ni/images/coleraineuniversity_rainfall.gif | archive-date = 15 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }} On average, 173 days of the year will report at least {{Convert|1|mm|abbr=on}} of rain, ranging from 18 days in January to 11 days during June. The following table summarises temperature averages sampled between 1971 and 2000.

{{Weather box

| location = Ulster University, at 23 m.a.s.l.
(Weather station {{convert|2|km|0|order=flip}} to the North of Coleraine town centre)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 7.3

| Feb high C = 7.6

| Mar high C = 9.2

| Apr high C = 11.1

| May high C = 13.9

| Jun high C = 15.9

| Jul high C = 17.8

| Aug high C = 17.8

| Sep high C = 15.8

| Oct high C = 12.9

| Nov high C = 9.8

| Dec high C = 8.0

| year high C =

| Jan low C = 1.6

| Feb low C = 1.6

| Mar low C = 2.8

| Apr low C = 3.9

| May low C = 6.0

| Jun low C = 8.7

| Jul low C = 11.0

| Aug low C = 10.7

| Sep low C = 8.8

| Oct low C = 6.7

| Nov low C = 3.7

| Dec low C = 2.4

| year low C =

| source 1 = yr.no{{cite web |title= Weather statistics for Coleraine |url= http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Northern_Ireland/Coleraine/statistics.html |publisher= yr.no |access-date= 21 October 2020 |archive-date= 28 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200728204646/http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Northern_Ireland/Coleraine/statistics.html |url-status= live }}

| source =

}}

The east side of the town is distinguished by Mountsandel Forest, which contains the Mount Sandel fort, an ancient site which has been claimed as the oldest site of human settlement in Ireland. Here wooden houses dating from about 7000 BC were uncovered.{{cite web |title= Mount Sandel – Mesolithic Settlement in Ireland |first= K. Kris |last= Hirst |work= ThoughtCo.com |date= 8 March 2017 |access-date= 1 February 2018 |url= http://archaeology.about.com/od/mesolithicarchaic/a/mount_sandel.htm |archive-date= 27 September 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927054631/http://archaeology.about.com/od/mesolithicarchaic/a/mount_sandel.htm |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= Prehistory |work= Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust |url= http://www.ccght.org/environmental_management/cultural_heritage/prehistory/ |access-date= 14 September 2007 |archive-date= 30 March 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130330082607/http://www.ccght.org/our-heritage/historic-environment/history-of-the-area/prehistory?lang=en}} The fort can be accessed via Mountsandel forest, the closest entrance being the side near the Coleraine Courthouse. There is another fort about two miles south of Mountsandel near the small village of Loughan.

The University of Ulster campus was built in the 1960s and brought a theatrical space to the town in the form of the Riverside Theatre.

{{See also|:Category:People from Coleraine, County Londonderry}}

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Richard Archibald – rower{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ar/richard-archibald-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418110112/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ar/richard-archibald-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-04-18}}
• Alan Campbell – rower{{cite web | url=http://www.britishrowing.org/gb-rowing-team/biographies/alan-campbell | title=Alan Campbell | publisher=British Rowing | access-date=3 August 2012 }}
• Joel Cassells – rower{{cite web | url=http://www.britishrowing.org/gb-rowing-team/biographies/joel-cassells | title=Joel Cassells|publisher=British Rowing|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Peter Chambers – rower{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/peter-chambers-rows-in-with-freedom-of-the-borough-36440264.html|title=Peter Chambers rows in with Freedom of the Borough|date=28 December 2017|newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Richard Chambers – rower{{cite web|url=http://www.britishrowing.org/gb/biographies/richard-chambers|title=Richard Chambers - British Rowing|publisher=British Rowing|access-date=24 November 2017}}
• Jack Doherty – potter{{cite web|last=Bircham Gallery|title=Jack Doherty - Biography|url=http://www.birchamgallery.co.uk/catalogue/artist/Jack:Doherty/biography/?category=ceramics|access-date=15 October 2014}}
• Michelle Fairley – actress{{Cite news|title=Game of Thrones star in mourning as she prepares to lay father to rest in Coleraine|language=en-GB|newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/game-of-thrones-star-in-mourning-as-she-prepares-to-lay-father-to-rest-in-coleraine-36583601.html|date=9 February 2018|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Maureen Madill – golfer, coach and broadcaster{{cite news |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/bullicks-view/Maureen-relishing-an-Open-invitation.3044588.jp |title=Maureen relishing an Open invitation |work=News Letter |date=19 July 2007 |first=Richard |last=Bullick |access-date=6 May 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012070937/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/bullicks-view/Maureen-relishing-an-Open-invitation.3044588.jp |url-status=dead }}
• Jenna McCorkell – British ladies' figure skating champion{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00005683.htm |title=Jenna McCorkell: 2013/2014 |publisher=International Skating Union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114063730/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00005683.htm |archive-date=14 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}
• Gerry McKenna – biologist and university vice chancellor{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sheepish-traditions/157298.article|title=Sheepish traditions|date=9 February 2001|publisher=The Times Higher Education|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• James Nesbitt – actor{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/tv/suspect-james-nesbitt-says-not-24263273|title=Suspect: James Nesbitt says he does not "set out" to star in dark dramas|date=18 June 2022|newspaper=Belfast Live|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Maggie O'Farrell – novelist{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-20437105.html|title=This much I know: Maggie O'Farrell|date=31 December 2016|newspaper=The Irish Examiner|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Damien O'Kane – folk singer{{cite web|url=http://www.thedemonbarbers.co.uk/guest-blog-damien-okane-from-coleraine-to-cawthorne/|title=Damien O'Kane – From Coleraine TO Cawthorne|publisher=The Demon Barbers|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Tommy Sheppard – Scottish politician{{cite news|url=https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,getting-to-know-you-tommy-sheppard_15336.htm|title=Getting to know you: Tommy Sheppard|date=16 April 2020|newspaper=Holyrood| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Claire Sugden – politician{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/claire-sugden-mla-returns-to-work-after-difficult-period-following-death-of-father-41053364.html|title=Claire Sugden MLA returns to work after 'difficult period' following death of father|date=15 November 2021|newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Andrew Trimble – rugby union player{{cite web|url=http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/ulster_first_team.php?player=5817&includeref=dynamic |publisher=Ulster Rugby |access-date=2011-08-27 |title=Player Profiles: Ulster Rugby 1st XV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025140052/http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/ulster_first_team.php?player=5817&includeref=dynamic |archive-date=25 October 2011 }}
• Bronagh Waugh – actress{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/coleraine-actor-bronagh-waugh-would-love-to-be-derry-girl-again-41996996.html|title=Coleraine actor Bronagh Waugh would love to be Derry Girl again|date=19 September 2022|newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Jayne Wisener – actress{{cite news|url=http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/news/local/jayne_wisener_goes_back_to_dh_christie_1_2609999|title=Jayne Wisener goes back to DH Christie|newspaper=Coleraine Times|access-date=13 November 2022|archive-date=2 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002080548/http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/news/local/jayne_wisener_goes_back_to_dh_christie_1_2609999|url-status=dead}}

{{Div col end}}

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Hugh Thompson – artist and illustrator
• John Bodkin Adams – general practitioner and suspected serial killer{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/did-antrims-notorious-doctor-death-go-to-his-grave-with-300-murders-on-his-conscience-29282190.html|title=Did Antrim's notorious 'Doctor Death' go to his grave with 300 murders on his conscience?|date=22 May 2013|newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Alexander Anderson – physicist{{cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/anderson-alexander-a0137 |title=Anderson, Alexander|publisher= Dictionary of Irish Biography|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Peter Dermot Doherty – footballer and manager{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/peter-doherty/|title=Peter Doherty|publisher=World Football| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Lewis Thomas Drummond – lawyer, judge, political figure{{cite web|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/drummond_lewis_thomas_11E.html|title= Drummond, Lewis Thomas|publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Harry Gregg MBE – goalkeeper{{cite web|url=https://www.childrensfootballalliance.com/football-and-peace/harry-gregg-foundation/|title=Harry Gregg Foundation|publisher= Children's Football Alliance| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Sam Henry – civil servant, antiquarian, lecturer, writer, photographer, folklorist, and folk-song collector{{cite web |last= Newmann |first= Kate |year= 2016 |title= Dictionary of Ulster Biography |publisher= Ulster History Circle |website= newulsterbiography.co.uk |url= http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/665 |access-date= 11 December 2016}}
• A. M. Irvine – authorSandra Kemp, Charlotte Mitchell, and David Trotter (eds). [https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198117605.001.0001/acref-9780198117605-e-632?rskey=HnUJe1&result=1 A. M. Irvine], The Oxford Companion to Edwardian Fiction, Oxford University Press, 1997 Print {{ISBN|9780198117605}}, Current Online Version: 2005 e{{ISBN|9780191727382}} {{subscription}}
• Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle – mathematical physicist{{cite journal|url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1945.0003|title=Thomas Ranken Lyle, 1860 - 1944|journal=Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society |year=1945 |volume=5 |issue=14 |pages=32–49 |publisher=Fellows of The Royal Society|doi=10.1098/rsbm.1945.0003 |s2cid=162395221 |access-date=13 November 2022|url-access=subscription }}
• Patrick McGilligan – politician{{cite news|url=https://esbarchives.ie/2017/10/09/patrick-mcgilligan-td/|title=Patrick McGilligan, TD|publisher=ESB Archives|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Hercules Mulligan – tailor and spy during the American Revolutionary War{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-56116480|title=Coleraine: Hercules Mulligan to be honoured in NI hometown|date=19 February 2021|newspaper=BBC| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Edward Nicolls – Royal Marines officer{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qM0-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA416|page=416|title=The Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage of Great Britain and Ireland|first=Charles Roger|last=Rod|year=1856|publisher=Whittaker and Company}}
• Bertie Peacock – footballer{{cite web|url=https://thecelticstar.com/bertie-peacock-celtics-great-captain-of-the-1950s/|title=Bertie Peacock: Celtic's Great Captain Of The 1950s|date=31 March 2021|publisher=The Celtic Star| access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Hilary Stevenson – scientist, educator, and expert on food irradiation{{Cite news |date=1994-11-02 |title=Hilary Stevenson: Hilary Stevenson, OBE, scientist, died from cancer on October 5 aged 47. She was born on January 12, 1947. |pages=21 |work=The Times (London) |type=Obituary |id=IF0502090808 |via=Gale}}
• Isaac Todd – fur trader and merchant{{cite web|url=https://www.govisitinishowen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Isaac-Todd.pdf|title=Isaac Todd|publisher=Go Visit Inishowen|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Charles Frederick Williams – journalist and war correspondent{{Cite web|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/williams-charles-frederick-a9047|title=Williams, Charles Frederick |publisher= Dictionary of Irish Biography|access-date=13 November 2022}}
• Edmund Mackenzie Young – Australian banker, financier/investor and grazier{{Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=Jill |last=Eastwood |id2=young-edmund-mackenzie-edmond-1071 |title=Young, Edmund Mackenzie (Edmond) (1838–1897) |access-date=2012-02-18 }}

{{Div col end}}

Coleraine has a variety of educational institutions at all levels.

The local schools include:

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Saint John's Primary School
• Irish Society's Primary School
• Coleraine Grammar School
• Coleraine College
• St Joseph's College, Coleraine
• D.H Christie Memorial Primary School
• Killowen Primary School
• Loreto College, Coleraine
• Harpurs Hill Primary School
• Millburn Primary School
• Saint Malachy's Primary School
• North Coast Integrated College
• Macosquin Primary School
• Sandelford Special School
• Ballysally Primary School

{{Div col end}}

Coleraine is the location of a University of Ulster campus and houses the university's administration buildings. It is the original campus of what was the New University of Ulster (established in 1968) which merged with the former Ulster Polytechnic at Jordanstown just north of Belfast in 1984 to form the present-day institution. The university was placed in the top five of UK universities by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework for its law, biomedical, and humanities programs.{{cite web |title= About Ulster University |work= The Higher Education – World University Rankings |access-date= 1 February 2018 |url= https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/ulster-university |archive-date= 9 September 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160909072022/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/ulster-university |url-status= live }} The Causeway Institute is a College of Further and Higher Education based in Coleraine, with another campus in nearby Ballymoney.

Coleraine has a number of sports clubs and facilities.

Coleraine F.C., established in 1927 and currently in the IFA Premiership and CLG Eoghan Rua established in 1957. Coleraine is one of the hosting towns for the Milk Cup.

The club has long been associated with the loyalist side of the community and in 2024 the club was reported to the IFA league for playing sectarian songs.{{Cite news |date=2024-08-13 |title=Coleraine FC probe after ‘flute band filmed playing The Billy Boys’ in its social club |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/video-news/coleraine-fc-probe-after-flute-band-filmed-playing-the-billy-boys-in-its-social-club/a537530767.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}^, {{Cite web |date=2024-08-12 |title=‘F**k the Pope and Virgin Mary’ chants at Coleraine FC Social Club condemned |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/fk-the-pope-and-virgin-mary-chants-at-coleraine-fc-social-club-condemned-CHPGT7ZMZFAYLENLEDW3HYY4KE/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}

Situated near the Lodge Road and Mountsandel areas. Coleraine Rugby Club was established in 1921. It is co-located with Coleraine Cricket Club, which plays in the North West Senior League.

Coleraine is part of the circuit for the North West 200, a series of motorcycle road races organised by the Coleraine and District Motor Club.

Coleraine Bowling Club is a lawn bowls club on Lodge Road and was founded in 1903. Coleraine is one of the most successful teams in the NIPBA and Irish bowling, with 64 titles on the honours list. The Bannsiders have claimed two Irish Bowling Association Senior Challenge Cup victories, in 1921 and 2013. Coleraine have also provided a number of international players and Commonwealth Games representatives, most notably Victor Dallas and Roy Fulton.

The Coleraine area has a number of equestrian facilities. These include RDA Coleraine (Riding for the Disabled Association - Coleraine & District Group), which provides riding opportunities for people with a physical and/or learning disability at their £1.75 million RDA Causeway Coast Arena at Castleroe.(see website http://www.rdacoleraine.org) This arena was funded by SportNI, Coleraine Borough Council, and by donations from the people of the district. The conditions of grant aid included the provision of a sporting arena for RDA, the equestrian fraternity, and other sporting activities.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

{{see also|Coleraine (disambiguation)}}

Coleraine, as a town name, exists outside Northern Ireland. In Quebec, Canada, the municipality of Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine in the Appalachian region perpetuates the hometown of Irish settlers who arrived starting in 1864.

In the United States, several places are named after Coleraine, including two townships in Ohio: Colerain Township, Belmont County and Colerain Township, Hamilton County.{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/centennialhistor00mcke | title=Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens | publisher=Biographical Publishing Company | author=McKelvey, A. T. | year=1903 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/centennialhistor00mcke/page/154 154]}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtsyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA40 | title=Historical Sketches and Early Reminiscences of Hamilton County, Ohio | publisher=H. Watkin | author=Olden, J. G. | year=1882 | pages=40 | access-date=25 July 2021 | archive-date=25 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725080739/https://books.google.com/books?id=MtsyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA40 | url-status=live }}

In 1853, a surveyor named Lindsay Clarke was working on a township called Bryans Creek Crossing in Victoria, Australia. He renamed the town Coleraine.[http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Coleraine/2005/02/17/1108500206358.html Coleraine – Typical rural service centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050913221857/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Coleraine/2005/02/17/1108500206358.html |date=13 September 2005 }} The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 2004. (Accessed on 27 December 2006)

International projects, under the guidance of Coleraine Borough Council, include the Zomba Action Project – a charity founded in 2003 to provide aid to the municipality of Zomba in southern Malawi. The region was chosen due to the historical connections between the Presbyterian and Catholic churches and Malawi, sustained by a number of specific local contacts. Donations have been used to fund computers, education, medical and other projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.colerainebc.gov.uk/zomba/show.php?s=1&id=4|title=Zomba|work=Coleraine Borough Council Web Site|publisher=Coleraine Borough Council|access-date=14 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205423/http://www.colerainebc.gov.uk/zomba/show.php?s=1&id=4|archive-date=23 September 2015}}

Coleraine is twinned with French town La Roche-sur-Yon.{{cite web|url=http://www.francemag.com/france-travel-travel-guide-and-information-twin-towns--211|title=Twin towns|work=Complete France|access-date=11 February 2012|archive-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330000445/http://www.francemag.com/france-travel-travel-guide-and-information-twin-towns--211|url-status=usurped}}

• County Coleraine
• List of civil parishes of County Londonderry
• List of localities in Northern Ireland by population
• List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
• O'Cahan

{{reflist}}

{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}

• [https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/ Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council]
• [https://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/ Visit Causeway Coast and Glens]

{{NorthernIrishTowns}}

{{County Londonderry}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in County Londonderry

Category:Civil parishes of County Londonderry

Category:Causeway Coast and Glens district