Knockcroghery

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Knockcroghery
Cnoc an Chrochaire

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53.5667° N 8.1° W

Irish Grid Reference
M934574

Statistics

82 m

Population (2002)

Knockcroghery (Irish: Cnoc an Chrochaire) is a village in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located on the N61 Road between the towns of Athlone and Roscommon.

The Irish name Cnoc an Chrocaire translates as the Hill of the Hanger/Hanging Thing, so called because of a "hanging" ring-fort on the hill. There is a (mistaken) belief that the correct meaning is "Hangman's Hill." Historians say that this view - that there was an established place of execution here - is inconsistent with the small population in the area of Knockcroghery throughout the ages. Nearby, Lecarrow and Roscommon, on the other hand would have had substantial populations in the past, large enough to support a regular executioner.

For over 250 years the village was famous for the production of the tobacco clay pipe, or "Dúidín". By the late 1800s there were up to 100 people involved in the manufacture and distribution of the village’s clay pipes. Production ceased abruptly on 19 June 1921 when the village was burned down by the Black and Tans during the Irish War of Independence. Today, a visitor centre and workshop are located on the original site of Andrew and P.J. Curley’s pipe factory, where pipes are handcrafted using the original methods of production.

Nearby at Galey Bay on the shore of Lough Ree, stands Galey Castle, built in the 14th century. Out in the lake is the island of Inishcleraun named after a sister of Queen Maeve, Clothra. Queen Maeve is said to have been killed here by an enemy while she was bathing.

Also in the area stands Scregg House, seat of the Kelly family. On the grounds of the house are some excellent examples of Sheela Na Gigs. The building itself is an example of a 3-storey 5-bay mid-18th century country house.

Knockcroghery is known by many as the home of Roscommon's All-Ireland winning captain Jimmy Murray.

The Knockcroghery Fair is a festival held annually, generally on the third weekend in September, which attracts people from all over Ireland.