Loughrea
| Loughrea Baile Locha Riach
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Town — | |||
 |
|||
|
|||
 Loughrea
|
|||
| Coordinates: 53°11′49″N 8°34′01″W / 53.197°N 8.567°WCoordinates: 53°11′49″N 8°34′01″W / 53.197°N 8.567°W | |||
| Countryfu | Ireland | ||
| Province | Connacht | ||
| County | County Galway | ||
| Elevation | 82 m (269 ft) | ||
| Population (2006)[1] | |||
| • Urban | 4,532 | ||
| • Environs | 885 | ||
| Irish Grid Reference | M621163 | ||
| Website | www.loughrea.ie | ||
Loughrea (
/lɒxˈreɪ/ lokh-ray; Irish: Baile Locha Riach, meaning "town of the grey lake") is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The town lies north of a range of wooded hills, the Slieve Aughty Mountains.
The town expanded in recent years as it increasingly becomes a commuter town for the city of Galway.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Name
The town takes its name from Loch Riach (Irish for "the grey lake") on which it lies. It is also suggested that the lake's name derives from Loch Riabhach (meaning "speckled lake"). This alternative Irish name is used in the name the local Irish-language multi-faith primary school: Gaelscoil Riabhach.[3] The town is within an area that was historically called Trícha Máenmaige.
[edit] Economy
Loughrea was traditionally a farming town that cut its industrial teeth with Tynagh Mines, 6 km (3.73 mi) to the east. Tynagh was for 15 years (1960–1975) the most important zinc and silver mine in Ireland.[citation needed] There is now a Gas Powered electricity power station on the site of Tynagh mines As well as being a dormer town for Galway, Loughrea now hosts a number of pharmaceutical and data-processing industries. Tourism and small cottage industries also play an important role in the community.[citation needed] Loughrea's tourist infrastructure is supported by several hotels, a country-resort, as well as many bed and breakfasts, restaurants, coffee-shops and pubs.
[edit] Places of interest
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1821 | 5,849 | — |
| 1831 | 6,268 | +7.2% |
| 1841 | 5,458 | −12.9% |
| 1851 | 3,621 | −33.7% |
| 1861 | 3,072 | −15.2% |
| 1871 | 3,072 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 3,159 | +2.8% |
| 1891 | 2,815 | −10.9% |
| 1901 | 2,557 | −9.2% |
| 1911 | 2,388 | −6.6% |
| 1926 | 2,805 | +17.5% |
| 1936 | 2,891 | +3.1% |
| 1946 | 2,887 | −0.1% |
| 1951 | 2,847 | −1.4% |
| 1956 | 2,834 | −0.5% |
| 1961 | 2,784 | −1.8% |
| 1966 | 3,001 | +7.8% |
| 1971 | 3,075 | +2.5% |
| 1981 | 3,378 | +9.9% |
| 1986 | 3,360 | −0.5% |
| 1991 | 3,271 | −2.6% |
| 1996 | 3,335 | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 4,004 | +20.1% |
| 2006 | 4,532 | +13.2% |
| [4][5][6][7][8] | ||
The Turoe stone in nearby Bullaun (8 km (4.97 mi) north) is perhaps the most important Celtic monument in the area and the Cathedral of St. Brendan on the lakeshore, in the town centre, is considered an important repository of Celtic-revival art and architecture in Ireland.[citation needed] St. Brendan's Catholic Cathedral was designed by William Byrne in 1897 and completed five years later. Its double transepts are an unusual architectural feature. It contains some very fine internal decoration. Spring-fed, Loughrea Lake overlooked by Knockash is popular for trout, pike and perch fishing.[citation needed] It is also an important bird sanctuary[citation needed] as well as being popular for water sports and swimming. Immediately behind the Loughrea boathouse are the remains of an old crannog. The Loughrea dwellers of another time would have sought protection from raiders by living in comparative security provided by the lake, on which Darren Coy's new ricket's centre has been set up.
[edit] Transport
Loughrea is connected to the M6 Dublin-Galway motorway via the N65. The town was historically served by the Midland Great Western Railway and a railway branch from Attymon Junction,[9] until 1975. This line was Ireland's last operational rural railway branch line, having outlasted most other country railway lines of this type by 10 – 20 years, and even surviving to have diesel trains used on it. The link road from the proposed Ballinasloe - Galway dual carriageway to Loughrea removed most of the remains of the original trackbed. Loughrea railway station opened on 1 December 1890 and finally closed on 3 November 1975.[10]
[edit] Sport and culture
Loughrea GAA Club were 2006 Galway Hurling and 2006 Connacht Hurling champions. They also reached the 2007 All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship final, but lost out to Ballyhale Shamrocks. Loughrea has a Rugby club, Loughrea Rugby Club, an 18-hole golf course and an Athletic Club. Each year, In October, the town plays host to the BAFFLE International Poetry Festival.held every October www.bafflepoetry.org Loughrea also boasts a Musical and Dramatic Society, Historical society, and an active community association. In the 2006 National Glór na nGael awards for "Irish language in local communities", Loughrea's "Glór committee" was awarded first prize. Glór has an umbrella committee which involves local organisations in the promotion of Irish.[citation needed]. Local group, Gaeilge Locha Riach, promotes the Irish language in Loughrea among the community and businesses.[11] Loughrea cricket club is currently one of the leading clubs in Connacht.There is also a large vibrant Foróige Youth club in the town.
[edit] Notable people
- Aedh mac Suibhne, King of Máenmaige, died 581.
- Cathrannach mac Cathal, possible King of Máenmaige, died 801.
- Neide mac Onchu, fl. c. 800.
- Fearghal mac Catharnach, Lord of Loch Riach, died 821/823.
- Cétadach, 31st Abbot of Clonmacnoise, died 848.
- Cormac mac Ceithearnach, ruler and cleric, died 881.
- Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Cellaigh, King of Uí Maine, died 1180.
- Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht 1186-1189.http://
- Anthony Dominic Fahy (1805–1871), Catholic priest and head of the Irish community in Argentina
- Edmond MacHugo, Chief of the Name, alive 1559.
- Patrick Deeley, poet and novelist, born 1953.
- Neev Kennedy, singer-songwriter, born 1990.
- James MacHugo, United Irishman, fl. 1797-1799.
- Tadhg an tSleibhe Ó Fathaigh, Duellist, fl. 1620
- Seán Ó Maolalaidh (fl. 1419–1480), Chief of the Name.
- Patrick O'Kelly, writer and eccentric, 1754-1835.
- Andrew Ó hAughegan, Ribbonmen informant, fl. 1820.
- Patrick J. Touhey (1865–1923), celebrated player of the uilleann pipes.
- Cathal Maenmaighe, King of Uí Maine, died 745.
- Ciaran Fitzgerald Former Ireland and Lions rugby captain
- Patrick Farrell, recipient of the Scott Medal, born 6 June 1909
- Neide mac Onchu, chief of the Conmaicne, fl. c. 800.
- Olive Loughnane, Silver Medalist In The 20k Walk In The World Athletics Championships Berlin, 2009.
- Michael P. O'Connor, writer and civilian internee 1941-45.
- P.J.Kelly (Fenian), 1843 - 18 April 1908.
- Peter Kelly (GAA), GAA President) 1847-1908.
- Shane Keena, singer-songwriter.
- Tony Ryan, Golfer-welder.1970-present.
- Bridie O'Flaherty, née Lawless (1917 – 31 December 2005), Mayor of Galway.
- Joe Burke (born 1939), accordion player.
- Ulick Burke, TD for the Galway East, born 1943.
- Seamus O'Kelly, playwright, c.1875 – 14 November 1918).
- Ulick na gCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde, died 1544.
- Cléircheán of Saintclerans, fl. 5th - 7th century?, hermit.
- James Daly, 1st Baron Dunsandle and Clanconal (1782–1847), politician.
- Ultan Conlon, singer/songwriter, born 1980.
- John Quinn, One of the founders of the Anglers Association, Notable community member.
- Henry Benedict Medlicott, FRS, geologist
- Paul Mitchell, local wiseman and celebrated story teller, born 1990.
- David Kelly, A recognised footballer who has played for most noticeably Cheltenham Town FC in his career in the year 1997 - 1998 season
[edit] Mayors of Loughrea
- 2001-02:Niall Coen, first Mayor of Loughrea from the travelling community.
- 2002-03:Colin Kennedy
- 2003-04:* 2004-05:Pat Hynes
- 2006-07:Darren Coy
- 2007-08:Michael "Mogie" Maher
- 2008-09:Gabriel Burke
- 2009-10:Pat Hynes
- 2010-11:Gavin Hoban
[edit] Annalistic references
- 797(802). The demolition of Loch Riach by Muirghius, son of Tomaltach.
- 821. Fearghal, son of Catharnach, lord of Loch Riach, died.
- 823. Fearghal, son of Cathasach, lord of Loch Riach, died.
- 881. Cormac, son of Ceithearnach, Prior of Tir Da Ghlas and Cluain Fearta Brenainn, and the second lord who was over Loch Riach at that time, died.
- 1408. O'h-Echeidhein was slain by the O'Dalys on the plain of Moinmoy.
[edit] See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Galway)
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Marquis de St Ruth
[edit] References
- ^ "Census 2006 – Volume 1 – Population Classified by Area" (PDF). Central Statistics Office Census 2006 Reports. Central Statistics Office Ireland. April 2007. http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/census2006_volume_1_pop_classified_by_area.pdf. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
- ^ http://www.irelandmidwest.com/galway/towns/Loughrea.htm
- ^ GaelscoilRiabhach.ie - Loughrea's Multi-faith Gaelscoil
- ^ Census for post 1821 figures.
- ^ http://www.histpop.org
- ^ http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census
- ^ Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A.. Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
- ^ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850". The Economic History Review. Volume 37 (4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract.
- ^ Photographs of Attymon Junction to Loughrea railway trackbed
- ^ "Loughrea station". Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
- ^ Loughrea retailers use cúpla focal
[edit] External links
- Loughrea.ie - Galway County Council website for Loughrea
- Gaelscoil Riabhach: Loughrea's Gaelscoil
- Tourist Information for Loughrea: Provides information on Loughrea's attractions, activities and businesses.
- Gaeilge Locha Riach
- Loughrea Foróige
