Carrickmacross

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Carrickmacross
Carraig Mhacaire Rois

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53°58′14″N 6°42′54″W / 53.9706, -6.7149

Irish grid reference
H837039

Statistics

80 m (26 ft)

Population ( )
- Town:
- Environs:

1,964
10,210

Website: www.carrickmacross.ie

Carrickmacross, called Carrick by locals, (Irish: Carraig Mhacaire Rois) is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland whose translated name means "The Rock of the Wooded Plain". It had a population of 5,066 (including rural area) according to provisional data from the 2006 census. The town won the prestigious European Entente Florale Silver Medal Award. It is a market town which developed around a Castle built by the Earl of Essex in 1630. The Convent of the St. Louis Nuns now stands on the original castle site.

The Nuns were largely responsible for the revival of lace-making skills in the region and the Carrickmacross Lace Co-operative has been instrumental in keeping the tradition alive today. This lace may be purchased at The Gallery Centre where demonstrations of this skill can be given by prior request.

1 Places of interest
2 Transport
3 Education
4 People
5 Twinning
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Places of interest

One of the most imposing buildings in the town is the Roman Catholic church which was completed in 1866. Of particular significance in the church are the ten beautiful stained-glass windows which were designed by the renowned artist Harry Clarke in 1925.

Magheross Church, located on the outskirts of the town, is of historical interest.

Other buildings of note include the Courthouse and the restored Poor Law Union Workhouse.

[edit] Transport

Carrickmacross railway station opened on 31 July 1886, closed for passenger traffic on 10 March 1947, and finally closed altogether on 1 January 1960.^[1]

[edit] Education

Main Street Carrickmacross

There are three primary schools in Carrickmacross. St. Josephs which is situated near St. Macartans Villas is an all boys school, it was run by the Patrician Brothers but they no longer run the school.

Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa which is in Cloughvalley is an all girls school, was run by the St. Louis nuns who came to Carrickmacross in 1888.

Scoil Rois is the Gaelscoil in Carrickmacross it is a mixed school, they recently had a new school built, they moved from the Convent Avenue to Cloughvalley they are now across from Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa.

The Patrician High School, PHS for short, [1] is one of three secondary schools in Carrickmacross. It was set up by the Patrician Brothers. It was situated next to the Church on O'Neills street, the building is now the scout hall.In 1970 they moved to Rockdaniel Rd but have more recently had a €4,000,000 extension. They have constantly produced great football teams through the years. It has approximately 350 pupils in attendance. The Monaghan inter-county footballer Stephen Gollogly attended the Patrician High School the school.

The Inver College, called the TEC by students and townspeople, is a mixed school situated on the Castleblayney Rd. The 2007 Monaghan All-star footballer Thomas Freeman went to the Inver College. The St. Louis Convent is an all girls school set up by the St.Louis nuns. It is situated on the Convent Ave.The two Monaghan inter-county footballers Thomas and Damien Freeman.