Charleville, County Cork
Encyclopedia
Charleville or Ráth Luirc (Ráth Luirc or An Ráth in Irish
) is a town
in north County Cork
, Ireland
, situated in Ireland
's Golden Vale
, near the border with County Limerick
. It is located on the "Glen" tributary river, which flows into the Maigue River
in Co. Limerick. It is the second largest town between Limerick
and Cork
(Mallow
is the largest), and is located on the N20
road
. The Roman Catholic parish of Charleville is situated in the Diocese of Cloyne
. Significant industries in the town include Kerry Co-Op and the construction and services sectors.
by Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
. The name 'Charleville' is French for 'Charles Town'. Roger Boyle had been a supporter of Oliver Cromwell
in the English Civil War
. When King Charles II
was restored in 1660, he had to prove his loyalty to the crown. He did this by naming Charleville after the English king. The Irish version 'Ráth Luirc' was given official recognition in the 1920s by the Irish Free State
. This name in its shortened form 'An Ráth', meaning 'the Fort' in English, is represented by the use of a fort in the crest of local sports teams. Iarnród Éireann
ceased to use the name Ráth Luirc as the sole official name of the station in the 1980s; although it is still retained (as at all Irish railway stations) in the bilingual station signs.
The villages of Brohill and Rathgoggin, who in their former guise preceded the formation of the town of Charleville in the area, fell under the rule of the following political entities: the Eoganeachta of southern Munster, at some point by the Hiberno-Norman Lordships of Ireland 1169-1541 although this rule was nominal rather than actual and subsequently by the Kingdom of Desmond 1118 - 1596.
The lands of Broghill and Rathgogan were purchased by Roger's father Richard Boyle as a part of the Plantations of Munster and Roger subsequently established his residency there after the founding of Charleville.
During the time of the Penal Laws
, practising the Catholic faith was illegal. As a result, the parish of Charleville was amalgamated with the parishes Bruree
and Colmanswell, both in the Diocese of Limerick
. In 1704, Fr. Daniel Mac Namara of Bruree was registered as the Catholic priest for this very large pastoral area. The fact that Catholics had to attend Mass secretly meant that the old chapel in Holy Cross cemetery was abandoned. The remains of this church - now overgrown with ivy - are still to be seen in the centre of the graveyard. Indeed, like so many other pre-1700 churches, the old church of Holy Cross literally became part of the surrounding graveyard, in that several gravestones, both marked and unmarked, are to be found within the building itself. Upon one such gravestone is a Latin epithaph to none other than Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill
(1691
-1754
), who was, in his time, the Chief Poet of Munster, as well as a native of Charleville.
city to the south and 35 km from Limerick
city to the north.
Because of its strategic location, Charleville has become an ideal location for distribution centres for the Munster region. In 2007, Lidl
set up their Munster distribution centre here.
http://www.charlevilleparkhotel.com Charleville Park Hotel
also connects to Cork Tralee and Dublin, with the Cork–Dublin line running by. Formerly there was a junction at Charleville, for trains running directly from Limerick via Croom (see Irish railway history
). Charleville railway station
opened on 19 March 1849 and was closed for goods traffic travelling to Limerick on 6 September 1976.
Charleville is on the main Cork - Limerick - Galway bus route and has hourly connections with these 3 cities for most of the day
Charleville is situated on the R515
regional road
which connects Newcastle West
, Co. Limerick with Tipperary
Town in County Tipperary
.
24th/65th Cork Scout group operates out of it own hall located in the town park.
The group has a very active leadership catering for male youths in the town in different sections.
Activities include Cinema, Swimming, Bowling, Water Activities, hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, bouldering, caving, Camping and much more.
Will commence broadcasting on 92.6fm within an 8 km radius of the town in September 2010.
Charleville Chamber
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
) is a town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in north County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, situated in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's Golden Vale
Golden Vale
The Golden Vale is an area of rolling pastureland in the civil province of Munster, southwestern Ireland. Covering parts of three counties, Limerick, Tipperary and Cork, it is the best land in Ireland for dairy farming....
, near the border with County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
. It is located on the "Glen" tributary river, which flows into the Maigue River
River Maigue
The River Maigue, rises in the Milford area of North County Cork, Ireland.It is joined by the small River Glen and the larger River Loobagh in south County Limerick. It then flows north through Bruree, after which it augmented by the River Morning Star...
in Co. Limerick. It is the second largest town between 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...
and Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
(Mallow
Mallow, County Cork
Mallow is the "Crossroads of Munster" and the administrative capital of north County Cork, in Ireland. The Northern Divisional Offices of Cork County Council are located in the town....
is the largest), and is located on the N20
N20 road
The N20 road is a national primary road in Ireland, connecting the cities of Cork and Limerick. Buttevant, Croom, Charleville, Mallow and Blarney are major towns along the route...
road
Roads in Ireland
The island of Ireland, comprising Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, has an extensive network of tens of thousands of kilometres of public roads, usually surfaced. These roads have been developed and modernised over centuries, from trackways suitable only for walkers and horses, to...
. The Roman Catholic parish of Charleville is situated in the Diocese of Cloyne
Diocese of Cloyne
Diocese of Cloyne may refer to:* Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne* Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross...
. Significant industries in the town include Kerry Co-Op and the construction and services sectors.
History
Charleville was founded in 16611661 in Ireland
-Events:*The Earldom of Drogheda was created in the Peerage of Ireland*April 23 - King Charles II of Ireland, England and Scotland crowned in Westminster Abbey. This is his second crowning....
by Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery
Roger Boyle redirects here. For others of this name, see Roger Boyle Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery was a British soldier, statesman and dramatist. He was the third surviving son of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and Richard's second wife, Catherine Fenton. He was created Baron of Broghill on...
. The name 'Charleville' is French for 'Charles Town'. Roger Boyle had been a supporter of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. When King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
was restored in 1660, he had to prove his loyalty to the crown. He did this by naming Charleville after the English king. The Irish version 'Ráth Luirc' was given official recognition in the 1920s by the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
. This name in its shortened form 'An Ráth', meaning 'the Fort' in English, is represented by the use of a fort in the crest of local sports teams. Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
ceased to use the name Ráth Luirc as the sole official name of the station in the 1980s; although it is still retained (as at all Irish railway stations) in the bilingual station signs.
The villages of Brohill and Rathgoggin, who in their former guise preceded the formation of the town of Charleville in the area, fell under the rule of the following political entities: the Eoganeachta of southern Munster, at some point by the Hiberno-Norman Lordships of Ireland 1169-1541 although this rule was nominal rather than actual and subsequently by the Kingdom of Desmond 1118 - 1596.
The lands of Broghill and Rathgogan were purchased by Roger's father Richard Boyle as a part of the Plantations of Munster and Roger subsequently established his residency there after the founding of Charleville.
During the time of the Penal Laws
Penal Laws (Ireland)
The term Penal Laws in Ireland were a series of laws imposed under English and later British rule that sought to discriminate against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters in favour of members of the established Church of Ireland....
, practising the Catholic faith was illegal. As a result, the parish of Charleville was amalgamated with the parishes Bruree
Bruree
Bruree is a village in south-eastern County Limerick, Ireland, on the River Maigue. It takes its name from the nearby ancient royal fortress, the alternative name of which from the earliest times into the High Middle Ages was Dún Eochair Maigue or the Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue.- History...
and Colmanswell, both in the Diocese of Limerick
Diocese of Limerick
Diocese of Limerick may refer to:*Church of Ireland Diocese of Limerick*Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick...
. In 1704, Fr. Daniel Mac Namara of Bruree was registered as the Catholic priest for this very large pastoral area. The fact that Catholics had to attend Mass secretly meant that the old chapel in Holy Cross cemetery was abandoned. The remains of this church - now overgrown with ivy - are still to be seen in the centre of the graveyard. Indeed, like so many other pre-1700 churches, the old church of Holy Cross literally became part of the surrounding graveyard, in that several gravestones, both marked and unmarked, are to be found within the building itself. Upon one such gravestone is a Latin epithaph to none other than Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill
Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill
-External links:* * -Sources:...
(1691
1691 in Ireland
-Events:*12 July - Williamite War in Ireland: Battle of Aughrim*August–October - Williamite War in Ireland: Siege of Limerick*3 October - Treaty of Limerick ends the Williamite War...
-1754
1754 in Ireland
-Births:*15 January - Richard Martin, "Humanity Dick", politician and animal rights activist .-Full date unknown:*William Drennan, physician, poet, educationalist and one of the chief architects of the Society of United Irishmen ....
), who was, in his time, the Chief Poet of Munster, as well as a native of Charleville.
Parks
Charleville avails of a large town park with a well equipped children's playground attached.Plaza
Charleville has a plaza since 2008, in front of the Library, making it a focal point for the townGeography
Charleville is geographically located at 'the heart of Munster', within the Golden Vale region. It is 50 km from CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
city to the south and 35 km 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 to the north.
Because of its strategic location, Charleville has become an ideal location for distribution centres for the Munster region. In 2007, Lidl
Lidl
Lidl is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany that operates over 7,200 stores across Europe. The company's full name is Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG...
set up their Munster distribution centre here.
Traditions
Charleville is a centre for the food processing industry, with brands such as Charleville Cheese and Golden Vale produced by Kerry Co-Op.Tourism
A new luxury hotel, Charleville Park Hotel, opened in February 2008.http://www.charlevilleparkhotel.com Charleville Park Hotel
Retail
Charleville has a strong retail sector, It is home to retailers such as Murrays, Morans, Bridgets and Noonans Sports. Dunnes Stores recently opened a store in the town center. Charleville is also home to Cavanaghs of Charleville Ford & Hyundai Dealership, voted by the SIMI as Ireland's best Franchise Dealership in 2010.Engineering
Numerous spin-offs both in the town of Charleville and the surrounding area were created when Golden Vale Engineering closed its doors in 1983. The largest amongst these were BCD Engineering, Diamond Engineering and Sapphire Engineering. BCD is the second largest employer in Charleville.Cheese
Golden Vale (part of the Kerry Group) continue to make cheese products in the town. Golden Vale is the largest employer in Charleville.Social
Charleville has numerous pubs and also two nightclubs, as well as two theatre facilities and is home to the North Cork Drama Festival which is held in the Parochial Hall. The second facility is the Schoolyard Theatre which is home to the Shoestring Theatre group.Transport
The Irish railway networkRail transport in Ireland
Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
also connects to Cork Tralee and Dublin, with the Cork–Dublin line running by. Formerly there was a junction at Charleville, for trains running directly from Limerick via Croom (see Irish railway history
History of rail transport in Ireland
The history of rail transport in Ireland began only a decade later than that of Great Britain. By its peak in 1920, Ireland counted 5,500 route kilometers...
). Charleville railway station
Charleville railway station
Charleville railway station is located a mile outside the town of Charleville in North County Cork, Ireland. It is a small although clean and well-maintained station, with three through platforms...
opened on 19 March 1849 and was closed for goods traffic travelling to Limerick on 6 September 1976.
Charleville is on the main Cork - Limerick - Galway bus route and has hourly connections with these 3 cities for most of the day
Charleville is situated on the R515
R515 road
The R515 road is a regional road in Ireland which runs from 6km east of Abbeyfeale in County Limerick the N24 national secondary road near in Tipperary Town. En route it passes through Dromcolliher, Charleville and Kilmallock.The road is 84km long....
regional road
Regional road
A regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is a...
which connects Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
, Co. Limerick with Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
Town in County 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...
.
Education
Secondary:- CBS Charleville
- St. Mary's Secondary School (Charleville)St. Mary's Secondary School (Charleville)St. Mary's Secondary School is a secondary school located in Charleville, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.-External links:*...
- Mannix College
Sport
- Charleville AFC
- Ráth Luirc GAA Club
- Charleville Camogie Club
- Charleville RFC
- Charleville Golf Club
- Charleville Pitch and Putt Club
- Ráth Luirc GAA Sports Centre(Squash, badminton and tennis facilities)
- Handball Court
Youth Groups
Charleville Scout Group24th/65th Cork Scout group operates out of it own hall located in the town park.
The group has a very active leadership catering for male youths in the town in different sections.
Activities include Cinema, Swimming, Bowling, Water Activities, hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, bouldering, caving, Camping and much more.
Places of interest
- Charleville Library - is an example of a historic building which has been put into use again after years of neglect. It was formally the Protestant Church of the Parish but went into disrepair in the 1950/1960s when the Protestant population of the area declined.
Broadcast
- Ballyhoura Community Radio - BCRadio.ie
Will commence broadcasting on 92.6fm within an 8 km radius of the town in September 2010.
People
- Birthplace of Seán Clárach Mac DomhnaillSeán Clárach Mac Domhnaill-External links:* * -Sources:...
(1691–1754), Chief Poet of Munster - Birthplace of William ReevesWilliam Reeves (bishop)William Reeves was an Irish antiquarian and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore from 1886 until his death...
(1815–1892), antiquarian, bishop, and President of the Royal Irish AcademyRoyal Irish AcademyThe Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in... - Birthplace of Con Leahy (April 27, 1876 – December 18, 1921); an Irish athlete, who won Olympic medals at the 1906 and 1908 Games.
- Birthplace of Eliza LynchEliza LynchEliza Lynch was the mistress of Francisco Solano López, president of Paraguay.-Early life:She was born Eliza Alicia Lynch in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland. She emigrated at the age of ten with her family to Paris to escape the Great Irish Famine...
, former first lady of ParaguayParaguayParaguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
.
Twin towns — sister cities
Charleville is twinned with the town Plouaret-Vieux-Marche, Brittany, France.See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Market Houses in IrelandMarket Houses in the Republic of IrelandMarket houses are a notable feature of many Irish towns with varying styles of architecture, size and ornamentation making for a most interesting feature of the streetscape. Originally there were three, four or even five bays on the ground floor which were an open arcade. An upper floor was...
- Charleville (Parliament of Ireland constituency)Charleville (Parliament of Ireland constituency)Charleville was a constituency in County Cork represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800.-History:The town it represented was named after Charles II. It was enfranchised in 1673, a sovereign, 12 burgesses and freemen. It belonged to the Earl of Orrery, a branch of the Boyle family...
External links
Business Website: CharlevilleCharleville Chamber