Carrickmacross

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Carrickmacross
Carraig Mhacaire Rois

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53.9706° N 6.7149° W

Irish Grid Reference
H837039

Statistics

80 m (26 ft)

Population (2002)
- Town:
- Rural:

1,964
10,210

Website: www.carrickmacross.ie

Carrickmacross (Irish: Carraig Mhacaire Rois) is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland whose translated name means "The Rock of the Wooded Plain". It had a population of 5,066 (including rural area) according to provisional data from the 2006 census. The town won the prestigious European Entente Florale Silver Medal Award, It is a market town which developed around a Castle built by the Earl of Essex in 1630. The Convent of the St. Louis Nuns now stands on the original castle site.

The Nuns were largely responsible for the revival of lace-making skills in the region and the Carrickmacross Lace Co-operative has been instrumental in keeping the tradition alive today. This lace may be purchased at The Gallery Centre where demonstrations of this skill can be given by prior request.

One of the most imposing buildings in the town is the Roman Catholic Church which was completed in 1866. Of particular significance in the church are the ten beautiful stained-glass windows which were designed by the renowned artist Harry Clarke in 1925.

Other buildings of note include the Courthouse and the historic Magheross Church.

Famous people from the Carrickmacross area include poet Patrick Kavanagh, Ardal O'Hanlon an actor in the series Father Ted, writer Denise Sewell, RTÉ Weatherman Gerry Murphy^[1] and RTE comedian Oliver Callan.^{[citation needed]}