Castleconnell
Encyclopedia
Castleconnell is a scenic village
on the banks of the River Shannon
, some 11 km (6.8 mi) from Limerick
city and within a few minutes walk of the boundaries with counties Clare
and Tipperary
.
Many fine nineteenth-century buildings overlook the Shannon in Castleconnell. One of these, the former schoolhouse, is now home to the Irish Harp Centre, run by noted harpist Janet Harbison and her husband. Another, the former convent, is now the Castleoaks House Hotel, which (because of its scenic location) is a popular venue for wedding receptions. A little south of the village lies the ruins of the once-grand Mountshannon house
, a Palladian mansion gutted by fire early in the 20th century.
The village centre has recently seen development activity including the building of new shop and business premises. There has also been much high density housing development in the area in recents times, due to its close proximity to Limerick
city. These developments have come under some criticism from locals who claim that they are not in keeping with the character or development plans of the village.
1317 campaign in Ireland. He stayed there in early April 1317 and having failed to secure the surrender of Limerick
retreated (McNamee, Colm, The Wars of the Bruces, Tuckwell Press, 1997). It was destroyed in a siege by the army of General Ginkel, fighting in support of the Army of William of Orange
at the end of the 17th century. Even today a large chunk of the castle wall lies some fifty feet from the castle, thrown clear across the road by siege cannons. A footbridge over the Shannon - built during the 1939-1945 Emergency by the Irish Army under Captain Carley Owens - connects counties Limerick and Clare. The nearby Mountshannon House
is a testament to John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare
, who in the late 18th century was the Attorney-General for Ireland
and subsequent Lord Chancellor of Ireland
. FitzGibbon was a protestant hardliner and helped usher in the Acts of Union 1800, which resulted in the Irish parliament's abolition. The fine house where he and his descendants lived was burnt to the ground by IRA
rebels in the 1920's. Today, the house lies in ruins with the foundations crumbling. It is thought by many to be beyond repair, due to decades of neglect.
these days), many fine salmon and trout have been caught in its environs. In face, the local turn-of-the-century era pub known as the Shannon Inn became well known for its fishing clientele that stayed there over the years. Castleconnell was also home to the world famous Fly Fisherman John Enright. He also designed world famous fishing rods that were apparently a favourite of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia . The Shannon Electricity Scheme and its Ardnacrusha dam at Parteen changed the fortunes of the village considerably in the 1930s when it reduced the flow of water south of the dam to approximately one sixth, dropping water levels along the Shannon.
The engineers added a fish lift to the dam, allowing fish to be lifted in a water-filled container and thereby pass upstream to their traditional spawning beds. The river at Castleconnell is also known for its rich bird life, and particularly its swan
s, many of which are migratory Icelandic Whooper Swan
s wintering and breeding on the river. The native swans are mute.
club. The Ahane GAA
club won 19 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
s between 1931 and 1948 and provided many of the Limerick team that won All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
s in 1934, 1936 and 1940. Among its most famous players were Mick Mackey
and Jackie Power
.
opened on 8 August 1858. the station lies on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
on the banks of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, some 11 km (6.8 mi) from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
city and within a few minutes walk of the boundaries with counties Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
and Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
.
Many fine nineteenth-century buildings overlook the Shannon in Castleconnell. One of these, the former schoolhouse, is now home to the Irish Harp Centre, run by noted harpist Janet Harbison and her husband. Another, the former convent, is now the Castleoaks House Hotel, which (because of its scenic location) is a popular venue for wedding receptions. A little south of the village lies the ruins of the once-grand Mountshannon house
Mountshannon house
Mountshannon House was a large mansion in Lisnagry, near Castleconnell, County Limerick, built in the mid-18th century. It was the home of John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare. It was burnt down during the Anglo-Irish war in 1920. Today it is mostly a ruin....
, a Palladian mansion gutted by fire early in the 20th century.
The village centre has recently seen development activity including the building of new shop and business premises. There has also been much high density housing development in the area in recents times, due to its close proximity to Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
city. These developments have come under some criticism from locals who claim that they are not in keeping with the character or development plans of the village.
History
The ruins of the 'Castle of Connell' (in fact the castle of a family named Gunning), from which the name of the village derives, was built on a rock outcrop overlooking the bend of the river. Castleconnell was the turning point in Edward Bruce'sEdward Bruce
Edward the Bruce , sometimes modernised Edward of Bruce, was a younger brother of King Robert I of Scotland, who supported his brother in the struggle for the crown of Scotland, then pursued his own claim in Ireland. He was proclaimed High King of Ireland, but was eventually defeated and killed in...
1317 campaign in Ireland. He stayed there in early April 1317 and having failed to secure the surrender of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
retreated (McNamee, Colm, The Wars of the Bruces, Tuckwell Press, 1997). It was destroyed in a siege by the army of General Ginkel, fighting in support of the Army of William of Orange
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
at the end of the 17th century. Even today a large chunk of the castle wall lies some fifty feet from the castle, thrown clear across the road by siege cannons. A footbridge over the Shannon - built during the 1939-1945 Emergency by the Irish Army under Captain Carley Owens - connects counties Limerick and Clare. The nearby Mountshannon House
Mountshannon house
Mountshannon House was a large mansion in Lisnagry, near Castleconnell, County Limerick, built in the mid-18th century. It was the home of John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare. It was burnt down during the Anglo-Irish war in 1920. Today it is mostly a ruin....
is a testament to John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare
John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare
John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare PC , later known as Earl of Clare or Lord Clare, was Attorney-General for Ireland in 1783, then Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1789, in which capacity he was first promoted to the Irish peerage.He was a controversial figure in Irish history, being described...
, who in the late 18th century was the Attorney-General for Ireland
Attorney-General for Ireland
The Attorney-General for Ireland was an Irish and then United Kingdom government office. The holder was senior to the Solicitor-General for Ireland, and advised the Crown on Irish legal matters...
and subsequent Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
. FitzGibbon was a protestant hardliner and helped usher in the Acts of Union 1800, which resulted in the Irish parliament's abolition. The fine house where he and his descendants lived was burnt to the ground by IRA
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
rebels in the 1920's. Today, the house lies in ruins with the foundations crumbling. It is thought by many to be beyond repair, due to decades of neglect.
Fishing
Known for its fishing - both coarse and sport - it has a history as a fishing destination stretching back into the 19th century. Reputedly fished by royalty in those days (and by distinguished figures such as former Republic of Ireland football manager Jack CharltonJack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
these days), many fine salmon and trout have been caught in its environs. In face, the local turn-of-the-century era pub known as the Shannon Inn became well known for its fishing clientele that stayed there over the years. Castleconnell was also home to the world famous Fly Fisherman John Enright. He also designed world famous fishing rods that were apparently a favourite of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia . The Shannon Electricity Scheme and its Ardnacrusha dam at Parteen changed the fortunes of the village considerably in the 1930s when it reduced the flow of water south of the dam to approximately one sixth, dropping water levels along the Shannon.
The engineers added a fish lift to the dam, allowing fish to be lifted in a water-filled container and thereby pass upstream to their traditional spawning beds. The river at Castleconnell is also known for its rich bird life, and particularly its swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s, many of which are migratory Icelandic Whooper Swan
Whooper Swan
The Whooper Swan , Cygnus cygnus, is a large Northern Hemisphere swan. It is the Eurasian counterpart of the North American Trumpeter Swan. An old name for the Whooper Swan is Elk; it is so called in Francis Willughby and John Ray's Ornithology of 1676.-Description:The Whooper Swan is similar in...
s wintering and breeding on the river. The native swans are mute.
Gaelic games
Castleconnell is the home of Limerick's most successful hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
club. The Ahane GAA
Ahane GAA
Ahane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Ahane, Castleconnell and Montpelier areas of east County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both hurling and football and historically is regarded as one of the great clubs of Limerick. Ahane's greatest players...
club won 19 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
s between 1931 and 1948 and provided many of the Limerick team that won All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
s in 1934, 1936 and 1940. Among its most famous players were Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game...
and Jackie Power
Jackie Power
Jackie Power was an Irish sportsperson. A renowned dual player, he played both hurling and Gaelic football with his local club Ahane and with the Limerick senior inter-county teams in both codes from 1935 until 1949. He later played with the Kerry senior hurling team.-Early life:Jackie Power was...
.
Rowing
Castleconnell boat club has been in existence since 1983. It is located at Worrell's End. Castleconnell has one of the best stretches of water to row on in Ireland. Rowers have a smooth, wide water to row on for 3.2 kilometers till O' Briens bridge. Just beyond the bridge, the rower's have another 1.5 kilometers before they come to a water flow regulator.Transport
Castleconnell railway stationCastleconnell railway station
Castleconnell railway station, opened on 8 August 1858., serves the town of Castleconnell in County Limerick, Ireland. It is on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line and is served by a skeleton service on the Limerick to Nenagh Commuter Service....
opened on 8 August 1858. the station lies on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line.
Notable Rresidents
- Bulmer HobsonBulmer HobsonJohn Bulmer Hobson was a leading member of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood before the Easter Rising in 1916...
(died 1968.) - Andy LeeAndy Lee (boxer)Andy Lee , is an Irish professional boxer from Limerick, Ireland who fights in the Middleweight division.-Background:Lee was born in Bow, London, England to Irish parents...
, - Pat ShorttPat ShorttPat Shortt is an actor, comedian and entertainer. In 2007, he starred in the film Garage, directed by Lenny Abrahamson for which he won the Best Actor award at the 2008 IFTAs...
- Marcus HoranMarcus HoranMarcus Horan is an Irish rugby union player who plays loose-head-prop for Munster and Ireland.Horan was educated at St. Munchin's College and Limerick Institute of Technology...
- Paul Warwick
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland