Headford

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Headford
Áth Cinn
Location
Location of Headford
centerMap highlighting Headford
Irish grid reference
M269468
Statistics
Province: Connacht
County: County Galway
Population (2006) 1,350
Website: www.headford.ie

Headford (Áth Cinn in Irish) is a town in County Galway, located 26 km north of Galway city in the west of the Republic of Ireland. The N84 national secondary route from Galway to Castlebar passes through the town. The R333 road travels from Headford to Tuam. There are many other 'boreens' and third-class roads on the outskirts of the town.

Contents

[edit] History

In his 1837 Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Samuel Lewis recorded a population of 1,441. He described the town in some detail:

This is a neat and clean town, having been much improved by its proprietor, R. J. Mansergh St. George, Esq.; it has a considerable trade, and commands fine views of Lough Corrib, and the mountains of Joyces' country and Mayo. It comprises 217 houses, is a chief constabulary police station, and has petty sessions on Mondays; here is also a dispensary. Bobbin lace, coarse linen, and flannel are made. The market is on Tuesday, and fairs are held on May 11th and Oct. 14th. Headford Castle is the residence of R. J. M. St. George, Esq.; it is a handsome modern building, erected on the ruins of the ancient castle; the extensive demesne, which is laid out with great taste, is entered from the town by a good gateway. Here is also Clydagh House, the seat of G. Staunton Lynch, Esq.

[edit] Headford today

Main Street, Headford
Main Street, Headford

The town is the popular angling centre for the eastern shore of Lough Corrib, and Greenfields, some 6.5 km west of the town, is its boating harbour. The town is situated next to the Black River (noted also for its trout angling) which is the county boundary with Mayo. Headford is also the centre of an area rich in archaeological monuments, ranging from prehistoric burial cairns, Iron Age stone enclosures, early Norman and later castles, to a bewildering array of monastic sites. These include nearby Ross Errilly Friary, founded in 1351, which has been described as the best preserved monastic ruin in Ireland. Today, the modern cattle mart, although replacing the fairs and markets once held in the town's two squares, ensures the local popularity of this North Galway town.

[edit] Headford Sewage Scheme

Headford is currently undergoing a sewage scheme upgrade, worth €8 million, which will result in the addition of hundreds of new houses.


[edit] Twinning

The following places are twinned with Headford:

[edit] Politics

The polling station for all elections in Headford is Headford Girls Primary School.

[edit] European elections

Headford is part of the North-West constituency for European Parliament elections. Current MEPs are Marian Harkin, Jim Higgins, Seán Ó Neachtain.

[edit] National elections

Headford is part of the Galway East constituency for elections to Dáil Éireann. Current TDs are Ulick Burke, Paul Connaughton, Michael Kitt, Noel Treacy.

[edit] Local elections

Headford is part of the Headford-Oranmore constituency for Galway County Council elections.

Local Councillor. Michael Carey. FG.

[edit] Education

Headford has a small library which is run by Edel Talbot, the town itself has one primary level school (officially two, though both have been effectively merged together) while there are another three primary schools within the parish and one second level school the Presentation College Headford which has a student population of 740 students,making it the largest secondary school in the whole western regon.


[edit] ==Religion==

The Headford Parish has two churches, both of which are Catholic and were built by Fr. Peter Conway and dedicated to St. Mary. The Church at Claran was built in 1859 and for many years was the home of the Parish priest; the church in Headford was built in 1865 on lands donated by the then Landlord St. George. Father James O'Grady is parish priest of the Headford parish with Fr. Martin Newell (retired) administrating in Claran.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links