There had long been Gaelic settlements in this area.
Archaeological evidence has been found in the village of a Gaelic ringfort.

In the early 17th century, Bellaghy became one of many towns planned, built and settled under the authority of the Vintners Company of London, as part of the English Plantation of Ulster.
In 1622, according to a manuscript of a Captain Thomas Ash, Bellaghy consisted of a church, a castle, a corn mill and twelve houses.

During the Plantation, English colonials built a fortified house in the village.
It had surrounding walls and two circular towers at opposite corners.
This is the best-restored example of a fortified house to be found anywhere in Northern Ireland.
Recent excavations have revealed that the fortified house was built on the site of a former Gaelic ringfort.
During the 1641 rebellion the house was attacked by Irish rebels, but it remained intact.
Many other houses in the village were burnt to the ground.
Locally it was called "The Castle" and is located on Castle Street.
The refurbished house was opened to the public in 1996 as "Bellaghy Bawn".
It is  a museum featuring exhibitions on local history.

In May 1922, during the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Republican Army launched an attack on Bellaghy Royal Irish Constabulary barracks, killing an RIC officer and wounding three others.
An IRA volunteer was also killed and three captured.
There had long been Gaelic settlements in this area. Archaeological evidence has been found in the village of a Gaelic ringfort.
In the early 17th century, Bellaghy became one of many towns planned, built and settled under the authority of the Vintners Company of London, as part of the English Plantation of Ulster. In 1622, according to a manuscript of a Captain Thomas Ash, Bellaghy consisted of a church, a castle, a corn mill and twelve houses.
During the Plantation, English colonials built a fortified house in the village. It had surrounding walls and two circular towers at opposite corners. This is the best-restored example of a fortified house to be found anywhere in Northern Ireland. Recent excavations have revealed that the fortified house was built on the site of a former Gaelic ringfort. During the 1641 rebellion the house was attacked by Irish rebels, but it remained intact. Many other houses in the village were burnt to the ground. Locally it was called "The Castle" and is located on Castle Street. The refurbished house was opened to the public in 1996 as "Bellaghy Bawn". It is  a museum featuring exhibitions on local history.
In May 1922, during the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Republican Army launched an attack on Bellaghy Royal Irish Constabulary barracks, killing an RIC officer and wounding three others. An IRA volunteer was also killed and three captured.
Bellaghy