Headford

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Headford
Áth Cinn

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53.469115° N 9.106849° W

Irish Grid Reference
M269468

Statistics

Population (2006)

1,350

Website: www.headford.org

Headford (Áth Cinn in Irish) is a town in County Galway, located 26 km north of Galway city in the west of Ireland.

The N84 national secondary route from Galway to Castlebar passes through the town. The R333 road travels from Headford to Tuam. There are many other 'boreens' and third-class roads on the outskirts of the town.

1 History
2 Headford today
3 External links
4 References
5 See also

[edit] History

In his 1837 Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Samuel Lewis recorded a population of 1,441. He described the town in some detail:

This is a neat and clean town, having been much improved by its proprietor, R. J. Mansergh St. George, Esq.; it has a considerable trade, and commands fine views of Lough Corrib, and the mountains of Joyces' country and Mayo. It comprises 217 houses, is a chief constabulary police station, and has petty sessions on Mondays; here is also a dispensary. Bobbin lace, coarse linen, and flannel are made. The market is on Tuesday, and fairs are held on May 11th and Oct. 14th. Headford Castle is the residence of R. J. M. St. George, Esq.; it is a handsome modern building, erected on the ruins of the ancient castle; the extensive demesne, which is laid out with great taste, is entered from the town by a good gateway. Here is also Clydagh House, the seat of G. Staunton Lynch, Esq.

[edit] Headford today

The town is the popular angling centre for the eastern shore of Lough Corrib, and Greenfields, some 6.5 km west of the town, is its boating harbor. The town is situated next to the Black River (noted also for its trout angling) which is the county boundary with Mayo. Headford is also the centre of an area rich in archaeological monuments, ranging from prehistoric burial cairns, Iron Age stone enclosures, early Norman and later castles, to a bewildering array of monastic sites. These include nearby Ross Errilly Friary, founded in 1351, which has been described as the best preserved monastic ruin in Ireland. Today, the modern cattle mart, although replacing the fairs and markets once held in the town's two squares, ensures the local popularity of this North Galway town.

There is a large second level school and a relitavly large but overcrowded primary level school also. A few years ago there were three shops (Joyces, Keadys and Gleesons), but Gleesons closed down due to difficulties with the introduction of the euro.

The Anglers Rest (Henaghans Hotel) is very popular with anglers on the Corrib and was recently upgraded in a 800,000 euro revamp, most of which came from a state grant.

The square at the end of the town was recently redeveloped, with many residents complaining about the amount of car parking space taken up by the large paved area. Many residents feel discontented with the Headford District Association's and the County Council's decision to build the paved area.

Headford is set to receive a new sewage scheme in the next few years, worth 8 million euro, which will be a welcome development to the overstrained system used now. The town will get hundreds of new houses because of this development, and many are worried about the schools ability to cope with this situation.