Kingscourt
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| Kingscourt Dún an Rí |
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
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| Irish grid reference N787958 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Ulster | |
| County: | County Cavan | |
| Population () | ||
Kingscourt (Irish: Dún na Rí, meaning Fort of the King) is a busy market town in County Cavan, Ireland. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt esq., towards the end of the 18th century, and was completed by his brother, the Rev. Joseph Pratt.[1]
The town has a rich and varied history. Cabra Castle, is a fine example of a Norman-style castle, and is located near the town. The castle was originally called Cormey Castle and was a rebuilding of an earlier Cormey Castle which had been destroyed during the Cromwellian War.[2] The castle has, in recent years, been restored and expanded and is now a fine four star hotel which is extremely popular for weddings. One mile from Kingscourt, Dún an Rí Forest Park is a place of surprising contrasts. Situated in a tranquil glen, Dún an Rí is home to stoat, hare, mink, rabbit and otter, as well as red and grey squirrel along the banks of the River Cabra. The park itself borders the Shercock and Carrickmacross roads. The Catholic church which perches high above the town contains some excellent stained glass windows by the renowned Irish artist Evie Hone, who also provided designs for Eton College Chapel. The surrounding countryside provides excellent fishing in many of the numerous lakes, the most notable being Greaghlone and Ervey. To the south-west of Kingscourt is Muff Rock, scene of an annual horse fair each August 12th or thereabouts, whose origins may go back to prehistoric times.
Industry is very important to Kingscourt. The local Gypsum mines provide employment for many in the town. More recently the expansion of the building supplies company Kingspan has ensured employment for many more in the town. Like most of Ireland, Kingscourt is currently undergoing expansion with many housing developments springing up around the town. Kingscourt also has a railway line which was finally closed in 2001. Initially, the line ceased passenger services in 1947, and was then a freight only service. The line which runs from Kingscourt to Navan and then on to Drogheda was used by Gypsum Industries to carry gypsum.
The local Gardaí came under the national spotlight when a local man Brendan Campbell telephoned the local station complaining about joyriders plaguing the area. The garda who answered the call addressed him as "Mr Campbell" over and over again, even though Brendan insisted on being referred to as "Brendan Campbell", over and over again. The whole episode was filmed on a camera phone and posted to Youtube for all to see.
The Meath on Track campaign recently carried out a Photo Survey of the line which is viewable at http://www.meathontrack.com/Kingscourt_railway_raillink.php
[edit] References
The population of Kingscourt is around 2.500 people.In kingscourt their is a gaelic club called Kingscourt Stars,a soccer team Kingscourt Harps.Kingscourt Harps were formed in 1998 by Domonic Sheenan,first chairman was Mickey Yorke.They have 2 pitches 1 called Porters and the other called M.S.J. M.S.J is going under continous redevelopment getting a 2 metre fence built around the pitch and a net at each end to stop the ball.In the coming months they will be building a astroturf pitch and a footpath around it.Kingscourt is facing 2 battles with development 1 with pylons and 1 with an incinerator.In the civil war in 1921 the last shot of the war was shot in nearby ballyhoe by a Kingscourt person (unknown) who were fighting with Drumcondra people.
[edit] See also
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