Castlecomer

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Castlecomer
Caisleán an Chomair
Location
Location of Castlecomer
centerMap highlighting Castlecomer
Statistics
Province: Leinster
County: County Kilkenny
Population ()
Website: www.kilkennycoco.ie


Castlecomer (Caisleán an Chomair in Irish) is the main town in north County Kilkenny, Ireland, with a population of about 2000. It takes its name from the local castle which was built by the Normans in 1171 on the mound opposite the present gates to the Castlecomer Demesne. Caisleán an Chumair means “The castle at the confluence of the rivers” of which there are three, The Deen, The Brocagh and the Clohogue.

Contents

[edit] History

  • The original castle was built of wood and was replaced by a stone structure by Earl Marshall about the year 1200. When Sibella, the great-granddaughter of the Norman leader Strongbow, was granted the manor in 1219, the local Brennan chiefs retreated to the hills and lived an independent life until the plantation of Castlecomer by the Earl of Strafford. In 1637 120 km² (30,000 acres) were granted to Sir Christopher Wandesforde by his cousin, the Earl of Strafford, the King's Deputy. Wandesforde laid out the town of Castlecomer, Ireland’s first town in stone and mortar.[citation needed]
  • Castlecomer is known for the Deerpark Mines, which produced large amount of anthracite coal until it was closed in the late 1960's.

[edit] Sport

[edit] Transport

Castlecomer railway station opened on 21 February 1921, was closed for passenger traffic on 26 January 1931, and finally closed altogether on 1 January 1963.[1]

[edit] See also

Castlecomer
Castlecomer

[edit] References

  1. ^ Castlecomer station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.

[edit] External links


Coordinates: 52°48′N, 7°13′W

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