Taghmaconnell

Taughmaconnell or Taughmaconnell (Irish: Teach Mhic Conaill, meaning 'MacConaill's house') is a small village in County Roscommon, Ireland. It lies between Athlone and Ballinasloe. It is also the name of the parish in which the village lies.

The majority of people are farmers or work in the large factories and government offices in nearby towns. Ballinasloe is about 5.3 miles away and Athlone is about 6.8 miles away. St Ronan's holy well lies in the middle of the parish and hosts a yearly mass. There are castle ruins to be seen in Castlesampson, Clonbigney and Dundonnell.

According to crime figures released for 2013 Taughmaconnell was deemed to be the safest place to live in Ireland. Just four crimes were reported in the parish for the whole of 2013.

A segment of the railway line from Athlone to Ballinasloe that runs through Taughmaconnell is reputed to be the longest straightest stretch of railway line in Ireland.

Sport

• Soccer - The local soccer team is Skyvalley Rovers which plays in the Roscommon and District League. The club was founded in 1971 and plays at Onagh Park close to Chapel Street the natural parish centre. The team has won 8 league titles, 7 Roscommon Cups and 10 league cups/division cups.
• Gaelic Games - The local GAA team is Padraig Pearses GAA Roscommon which is located outside the parish at Woodmount, just off the main Athlone-Ballinasloe N6 road.
• Tug of War - The local Tug of War club was established in 2009 and is affiliated to the Irish Tug of War Association. The team trains at Cloonkeen.

Notable residents

John G. Downey – the seventh Governor of California from 1860 to 1862 and namesake of Downey, California – was born in Castlesampson, Taughmaconnell in 1827.

Martin Corbett, co owner of Chapter One, a Michelin rated restaurant in Dublin.

Brendan Shine, popular ballad and country singer.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland