Glenamaddy

Glenamaddy Gleann na Madadh
—  Town  —
Glenamaddy
Glenamaddy Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53.606°N 8.560°W / 53.606; -8.560
Country	Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	County Galway
Elevation	87 m (285 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	502
Irish Grid Reference	M627620

Glenamaddy (Irish: Gleann na Madadh, meaning "valley of the dogs") is a small town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies at the crossroads where the R362 and R364 regional roads intersect.

Glenamaddy is the most important town in the northeastern corner of County Galway. It became the musical capital of Connacht during the 1960s when the Showband craze swept the country. To the east of the town lies Loch Lurgeen, a raised bog. The origins of the Parish (which was originally called Boyounagh) lie in the village of Boyounagh which lies to the North West of Glenamaddy Town.

Name

It has been argued for a long time what the exact meaning, and Irish for Glenamaddy is. Some say it is derived from the Irish Gleann na Madadh, Gleann meaning valley and madhadh from madra meaning dog. This would suggest that the name means Valley of the Dogs. The suggested meaning for this being the shape of the Glenamaddy Turlough as looked at from above.

A sketch of the summer outline of the lake bed when it is usually dried out.

The other explanation that has been given is that the name comes from Gleann na Maighe Duibhí meaning Valley of the black plain, because of the lake (turlough) in the area which dries up every year leaving a black plain.

History

Glenamaddy was located in what was the medieval kingdom of Uí Díarmata, ruled by the O Concannon dynasty.

The town itself did not develop until the 1820s when a church was built and regular markets began in the town. From this time on the town began to grow and shops and pubs sprang up around the square and on the four roads leading into the town which are famous from the song of the same name. In 1853 a workhouse was built on the Creggs road.

In 1904 St. Patrick's church was built to replace the older church which was in the grounds of where the town graveyard stands today. In 1909 St. Bridget's Town Hall was built and played an important role in the social and cultural life of the parish. In 1924 a mill was built in Leitra, this gave badly needed employment to the area. Other places of interest include a megalithic tomb at Ballinastack, a crannóg on Kiltullagh lake and the Jeremiah Mee Memorial on the wall outside Phelan's lounge.

In the early 20th century markets were hugely popular in the town as for some small cottage industries it was the main outlet for their wares. Cattle, pigs, sheep, animal feeds, and household supplies were all sold at these markets and large crowds gathered in the town on these days. All goods being sold in the town were weighed at the weigh-house.

Culture

Glenamaddy boasts a long tradition of music and drama. The Esker ballroom was once one of the most popular dance venues in the country. The Sound of Music opened by Jim "Pete" Keaveney, with opposition from the church. Glenamaddy has hosted the Drama Festival since 1960, and there have been all Ireland finalists on a number of occasions.

Record

A man owns a bar in glenamaddy has keep Christmas decarations since 1999 and never taken them down. He was in a interview lately and said that he will keep them up for Christmas 2011 but has plans for taking them down next year at around March or April but will be sad for how long they have been up for. Also youtuber "JackSpurs25" is making a short film about the record.

The village was made famous by the song Four Country Roads, which was a hit for country singer Big Tom in 1981.

Sport

• Glenamaddy GAC is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.
• Glen Celtic local soccer club

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

External links

• Saint Patrick's Church
• Glenamaddy Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Club
• Log on to Glenamaddy Credit Union
• Glenamaddy All-Ireland Drama Festival 2010
• Glen Celtic Soccer Club