Kesh, County Fermanagh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kesh An Cheis |
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| Province: | Ulster | |
| County: | County Fermanagh | |
| District: | Fermanagh | |
| UK Parliament: | Fermanagh and South Tyrone | |
| Dialling code: | 028, +44 28 | |
| Population (2001) | 972 | |
| Website: www.fermanagh.gov.uk | ||
Kesh (Irish: An Cheis) is a small village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the Kesh River just one mile from Lower Lough Erne. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 972 people. It lies within the Fermanagh District Council area.
Because of its location, close to the shores of Lough Erne, the village has been a popular tourist resort with two caravan parks, a small attractive marina and other related industries both within its boundaries and the surrounding locality. It lies just 5 miles from the border with the Republic of Ireland and 22 miles from the seaside resort of Rossnowlagh in County Donegal, thus adding to its popularity with holiday makers, day-trippers and weekenders.
The main street is the centre of the village and offers visitors and locals alike a comprehensive range of goods and services such as a full dispensing chemist, hardware and builders' supplies, banking and a police station. The main employer in the area is a large flooring and tiling manufacturer, Trunk Flooring, on the Enniskillen side of the village.
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[edit] History
[edit] The name 'Kesh'
The name Kesh comes from Irish meaning 'a wicker bridge', which describes the crossing in the middle of the village. The village is unusual in that it is not built round a parish church or chapel. Instead, the two Anglican parishes of Magherculmoney and Tubrid both meet at the river and their respective parish churches are each about 2 miles either side of the village.
[edit] Crevenish Castle
The remains of Crevenish Castle lie to the south-east of the village on the Crevenish Road, or 'the back road' as the locals call it. During its time it was home to the infamous Blennerhasset and Maguire families in the 1600 and 1700s.
[edit] Local Attractions
- Drummoney Falls. A local beauty spot on the northern side of the village.
- Lough Erne. Kesh is close to the edge of this river and is connected to it by a naviagable river terminating at the marina in the middle of the village.
- Crevenish Castle remains.
- Castle Archdale Estate and marina. A huge ammenity which includes gardens, walks, water sports and other facilities. The complex also has a large caravan and camping park.
- Drumrush Lodge is a restaurant and caravan park which also has a private marina that offers a full range of water sports.
- Watch football in the winter and cricket in the summer at North Fermanagh Club, Kesh on the Crevenish Road.
- Golf and water sports as well as a private leisure club and swimming pool are available at The Manor House Hotel, six miles away in Killadeas.
- The scenic route out of Kesh offers stunning views of Lower Lough Erne.
- Belleek Pottery, world famous producer of Parian china is about half an hour away by car.
- Muckross, an inland lakeside 'beach' which used to be a haven for familes is now taken over almost exclusively by jet-skiiers. It lies on the south side of Kesh, one mile from the village on the edge of Lough Erne.
- Castle Caldwell lies about twenty minutes from Kesh on the Belleek road.
[edit] The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Kesh, which includes a list of incidents in Kesh during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.
[edit] Notable Kesh connections
- Comedian Frank Carson spent time as plasterer in Kesh and is responsible for the work in some of the local authority housing on the Ederney Road. He is warmly remembered.
- Although born in Oxford, former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown spent a lot of his childhood in Kesh as his mother is from near the village. He is still often spotted relaxing amongst family and friends in the 'close season' weeks.
- Kyle Lafferty was born and bred in Kesh, attended the local primary and secondary school in the village and learnt his football at the local club. He is currently playing for Burnley (2007) in the English Championship and is a Northern Ireland international.
- England cricket captain, Michael Vaughan has often been spotted in Kesh, his wife Nichola is from a village nearby and the Baslow-based sportsman is understandably a regular visitor to the south-west of Northern Ireland.
[edit] Transport
[edit] Kesh Carnival
A local village carnival takes place every year in the middle of August. It is run by locals, for locals and attracts a small but appreciative crowd during its two weekend events when there is a 'duck derby', vintage car rally, tug-of-war competition and various evening functions usually based in or around the Mayfly Inn. It is organised by Kesh Development Association.
[edit] 2001 Census
Kesh is classified as a small village or hamlet by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 500 and 1,000). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 972 people living in Kesh. Of these:
- 23.7% were aged under 16 years and 17.6% were aged 60 and over
- 49.2% of the population were male and 50.8% were female
15.8% were from a Catholic background and 83.1% were from a Protestant background
- 2.3% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
[edit] References
- ^ Kesh station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
