Creeslough

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Creeslough
An Craoslach
Location
Location of Creeslough
centerMap highlighting Creeslough
Irish grid reference
055 307 C 055 307
Statistics
Province: Ulster
County: County Donegal
Dialling code: 074, + 353 74
Population (2006)
 - Town:
 - Environs:		  
691 
1860
Website: http://www.creeslough.com/

Creeslough (Irish: An Craoslach, meaning 'The Gorge' or 'Throat Lake' ) is a village in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. It lies 12 km south of Dunfanaghy on the N56 road, 54 m above sea level and overlooking an arm of Sheephaven Bay. It is a small village, with the population of the surrounding area engaged mainly in agriculture, mostly livestock rearing, as little of the surrounding land is suitable for tillage.

Contents

[edit] Places of interest

Nearby attractions include:

  • Doe Castle, a 16th century castle of the MacSuibhne clan, which has been restored during 2002-2005. It is perhaps best known as the place to which Owen Roe O'Neill returned to command the Irish Confederate's Ulster army in 1642 during the Irish Confederate Wars.
  • Ards Forest Park, which contains some megalithic tombs, ringforts and a Mass rock. The forest park encompasses a variety of habitats, including sand dunes, tidal salt marsh as well as several small lakes, two of which are vegetation-filled and in the process of becoming bogs.
  • Remains of the Owencarrow Viaduct, whose railway line closed in 1941. Scene of the Owencarrow Viaduct Disaster.
  • Glenveagh National Park, which was created in 1981 from lands granted to the state by Henry P. McIlhenny, of Philadelphia.
  • The surrounding mountainous areas are suitable for hill walking and are notable for their ease of access. Muckish, with its distinctive outline and a number of routes to the summit to choose from, is a popular destination with walkers. The annual Glover Highlander walk (from Muckish to Errigal) starts nearby.[1] There are several marked trails to choose from in Glenveagh National Park, as well as the possibility for off-trail hiking.
Creeslough main street, 2008.
Creeslough main street, 2008.

[edit] Architecture

The Roman Catholic church, St Michael's, is notable for its architecture, being modelled on the nearby table mountain of Muckish. The architect, Liam McCormack, was also responsible for the design of the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal-winning St Aengus' Church, Burt, County Donegal. The church bell was moved from the bell tower associated with (the now demolished) Doe Chapel. The remains of the outer walls of the chapel are situated within the current graveyard at Doe (in the townland of Cashelmore, 3 km north of Creeslough). The bell tower was, however, not demolished.

[edit] Transport

Creeslough railway station opened on 9 March 1903, closed for passenger traffic on 3 June 1940, and finally closed altogether on 6 January 1947.[1]

[edit] Education

  • Creeslough supports two primary schools, Scoil Mhuire (164 pupils, 2006 figures,[2] Roman Catholic) and Creeslough National School (13 pupils, 2006 figures,[3] Church of Ireland).
  • Creeslough also contains a National School by the name of Glassan National School, located 5Km to the West of Creeslough village.

[edit] People

  • Creeslough is the birthplace of acclaimed female vocalist, Bridie Gallagher.
  • "No News at Throat Lake", written by former Lloyd Cole and the Commotions bassist-turned-journalist Lawrence Donegan deals with the author's life during the year he spent living in the village while working as a journalist for a local newspaper.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Creeslough station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 55°07′N, 7°54′W