Killucan and Rathwire
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| Killucan Cill Lucaine |
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| Irish Grid Reference 566 514 N 566 514 |
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| Province: | Leinster | |
| County: | County Westmeath | |
| Elevation: | 128m | |
| Population (2002) | 575 | |
The villages of Killucan (Irish:- Cill Lucaine, Church of Lucan) and Rathwire (Irish:- Rath Guaire, Fort of Guaire) nestle closely together in gentle, rolling countryside in the east of the Irish county Westmeath. They have a population of 575 (2002 census) but this will be considerably expanded with this year's (2006) census. It is on the R156 road about 15 km from Mullingar and 60 km from Dublin.
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[edit] Local Economy
They have prospered throughout their history due to their excellent land and transport links to Dublin. The Royal Canal, the Sligo-Dublin rail link pass through it although neither is used as a mode of transport any more. The canal is unpractical while the railway station closed many years ago (although the line remains in use). Killucan and its neighbouring village of Rathwire have recently prospered due to its proximity to the M4 motorway to Dublin which means it is less than an hour's drive away, well within Dublin's ever expanding commuter belt. This has led to the construction of many new housing estates in recent years as the Celtic Tiger has meant that many new houses being needed within reach of Dublin. Killucan/Rathwire was well suited to this rapid expansion as it had many of the facilities needed for an increased population, unlike many other of the small towns in Ireland which have rapidly grown recently. There are three primary schools and one secondary school in the area as well as ample sport facilities (such as a free golf course and fishing lake), a library and many other amenities. The majority of its inhabitants work in Dublin or nearby Mullingar. The only large employer in the area is Shay Murtagh's Quarry and concrete production.
[edit] History of Rathwire
Both Killucan and Rathwire are old in their origins, proven by the ancient "Fairy Fort" in Rathwire. According to legend this was built by the Chieftain Guaire who gave Rathwire its name. The ruins of the hillfort remain on the western end of the village. Guaire is supposedly buried in the ruins and is guarded by a savage dog who does not want the remains disturbed. While this legend is unlikely to be true it is a fact that the Norman Lord Hugh de Lacy built his Motte against to the remains of Guaire's. In 1210 the notorious King John came to Rathwire to subdue the De Lacys when he fought and won the Battle of Killucan. While here he also received the Celtic king of Connacht, Cathal Crobderg O'Connor who travelled to make his submission.
[edit] History of Killucan
The origins of the name Killucan are uncertain. It probably comes from the Irish Cill Lucaine, (Church of Lucan). Lucan was a 6th century abbot who is believed to have founded a monastery in the area. The monastery however did not survive to the Middle Ages and no trace of it remains today. Some believe however that Lucaine is in fact a corruption of Etchén, who was bishop of the nearby Clonfad monastery. Whichever version is correct, the present day church in Killucan is St. Etchén's. There has been a church on this site since the time of the Normans (the De Lacys). The present church on the site dates from 1802. Inside this church is a 13th century font. On the east end of the site are the remains of an 15th century medieval church. Although the site was initially used as a Catholic church, it was changed to a protestant (Anglican) one during the Cromwellian Plantation. After the Penal Laws persecuting Catholics were lifted in the 19th century a new Catholic church, St Joseph's was built in Rathwire.
[edit] Killucan Parish
The Parish of Killucan is one of the largest in Westmeath (by area). It includes Both Killucan and Rathwire as well as the countryside around them. The village of Raharney about 3Km's to the east of Killucan is also part of Killucan parish. St. Josaphs Church is in Ratwire while St. Mary's is in Raharney. The Parish Priest's house (Parochial House) is in Rathwire
[edit] Transport
[edit] The Royal Canal
The twin villages reached the height of their prosperity during the 18th and 19th centuries due to the arrival of first the Royal Canal in 1805 and later the Midland Great Western Railway. The canal which stretches 145km from Dublin to the river Shannon at Cloondara in County Longford was built between 1790 and 1817, reaching Killucan from Dublin in 1805. It grew importance transporting people and goods until the mid 1800s. After this the advent of Rail and Road travel in Ireland led to its slow decline and it formally closed in 1961. It was abandoned and became unusable for many years. Nowadays thanks to the Royal Canal Amenity Group it has been restored for leisure boats from Dublin to Abbeyshrule in Co. Longford. The remaining section from Abbeyshrule to Cloondara is due to open in 2006. It is also possible to walk the entire length using the Royal Canal Way. The Canal is a particularly important amenity in Killucan, being used for fishing, walks, boating and even canoeing. The Harbour at Thomastown (1km South of Killucan) was recently expanded to cater for the growing number of tourists who rent barges from there. The canal through Killucan passes through the Killucan Flight, a stretch of eight locks over 2 kms. East of the flight there are no further locks for 27 kms while there are no further locks to the east until past Mullingar, the highest point on the Canal.
[edit] Railway
The Midland Great Western Railway reached the town in 1848, when their railway line was extended from Hill of Down to Mullingar. The station closed in 1963. The signal cabin remained open until 2005 when automated signaling was introduced. Recently there has been talk of the train station being reopened, although Irish Rail, the state owned railway company, have rejected the suggestion.
[edit] See also
List of towns in the Republic of Ireland
