Ardrahan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ardrahan
Ard Raithin

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53°09′27″N 8°48′21″W / 53.1575, -8.8058

Irish grid reference
M461121

Statistics

Connacht

29 m

Population (2002)
- Town:
- Environs:

-
375

Ardrahan (Irish: Ard Raithin, meaning high ringfort) is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The town, located on the N18, with a wide market square and cross, still retains much of its rural charm, despite the passing traffic. The O'Heynes, or Hynes, Lords of Aidhne, had their stronghold here in ancient times and, with the help of other Irish clans, inflicted a terrible defeat on the Normans in 1225, a feat still recalled in that rousing song, The West's Awake. However, in 1236, Richard de Burgo, after successfully conquering County Galway, granted Ardrahan to Maurice Fitzgerald who built a stone castle, the ruins of which lie just north of the village. The boundary of this early Norman settlement continues across the N18 where the gable of a mediaeval church still stands in the churchyard. The lower section of a round tower, one of just four in County Galway, lies imbedded in the surrounding wall, suggesting an even earlier monastic settlement in Ardrahan.

1 History
2 Places of interest
3 Transport
4 Education
5 GAA
6 Apperarance
7 See also
8 External links
9 References

[edit] History

Richard de Brugo conquered Galway in 1236, and granted the land to Maurice Fitzgerald who built the castle whose ruins still stand today.^[1]

[edit] Places of interest

The most fabulous attraction in Ardrahan is Tullira castle. It was once owned by Edward Martyn, who was a friend of Lady Gregory. Tullira Castle is private property.

[edit] Transport

Ardrahan railway station opened on 15 September 1869, was closed to passenger traffic on 5 April 1976 and finally closed on 11 June 1983.^[2] A new railway station will open in early 2009 as part of phase one of the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Athenry.

[edit] Education

There are three schools in Ardrahan Labane N.S, Ballyglass N.S and Killternan N.S.

[edit] GAA

Ardahan hurling club won its first Galway Senior Hurling Club Championship title in 1894 and since then has won it on 11 occasions, having contested 18 County Finals in its history. It lies second on the role of honour, only to Castlegar who have won 16 titles. The last title was won after a replay in 1978, against rival neighbours Ballindereen.

Other significant hauls include the U21 crown in 1977, the U21 B in 2001, and two county minor titles in 1975, and 1978.

In 2007 the under-14 team reached the feile final, losing out by the narrowest of margins after a replay. They won the league title in 2007 as well.

Current chairman is Ollie Curtin, Secretary Adrian Sylver, Treasurer Gabriel Gardiner, Juvenile Chairman Gerry Glynn, Juvenile Secretary Teresa Gardiner, Delegate to hurling board Bernard Callanan, Delegate to juvenile board Barry Finnegan.

Information on the club can be viewed on www.ardrahangaa.com

Ardrahan also have a very sucessfull Camogie club. In 2006 the U14 girls won the Feile Final and went on to represent Galway in Cork at All-Ireland stage. They got to the All-Ireland Semi-Final but sadly lost. Again in 2007 the girls got to the County Final but unfortunatly lost out on the day to a beter Sarsfields team who then went on to win the All-Ireland Feile title. Now again in 2008 Ardrahan are in another Semi-Final on May 5th. Best of luck to them that day!!1

[edit] Apperarance

Ardrahan is mentioned in William H. Hodgsons book The House on the Borderland as a nearest greater village to a small village called Kraighten, near which the authors diary has been found.