Gougane Barra
Encyclopedia
Gougane Barra is a settlement, west of Macroom
in County Cork
, Ireland
.
The name Gougane Barra comes from Saint Finbarr, who is said to have built a monastery
on an island
in the lake nearby during the 6th century. The present ruins date from around 1700 when a priest
called Denis O'Mahony retreated to the island. During the times of the Penal Laws
, Gougane Barra's remoteness meant that it became a popular place for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass
.
Afforestation
of the area around the settlement began in 1938 and Gougane Barra is now home to a 1.42 square kilometre forest park which is home to a number of mammal and bird species.
Macroom
Macroom is a market town in Ireland located in a valley on the River Sullane, a tributary of the River Lee, between Cork and Killarney. It is one of the key gateways to the tourist region of West Cork. The town recorded a population on 3,553 in the 2006 national census...
in 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
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...
.
The name Gougane Barra comes from Saint Finbarr, who is said to have built a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
on an island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the lake nearby during the 6th century. The present ruins date from around 1700 when a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
called Denis O'Mahony retreated to the island. During the times 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....
, Gougane Barra's remoteness meant that it became a popular place for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
.
Afforestation
Afforestation
Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally or artificially...
of the area around the settlement began in 1938 and Gougane Barra is now home to a 1.42 square kilometre forest park which is home to a number of mammal and bird species.
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Cork)
- List of towns and villages in Ireland