Mullagh, County Cavan
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Mullagh (Irish: An Mullach, meaning The Mound) is a village (and a parish) in County Cavan province of Ulster, Ireland. It had a population of 679 in 2006. It lies in the south-east of the county, at the junction of the R191 and the R194 regional roads near the town of Virginia, County Cavan and the border with Kells, County Meath and the village of Moynalty.
It contains a heritage centre dedicated to St Kilian, who was born in Mullagh c 640 and was martyred in Würzburg, Germany in circa 689. The centre also has an exhibition related to ogham script and the development of illuminated manuscripts.
The Roman Catholic Church, located 400m from the village on the Virginia Road (R194), is named in memory of its patron Saint Kilian. The Church of Ireland Anglican Church is called "Teampeall Ceallaigh" and is located further along the same road, approx 600m.
The village is situated approximately 2 kilometers from the border with County Meath and Leinster which is marked by the River Borora which flows into the Owenroe River at Mullagh bridge.
The environs of the village have witnessed substantial housing and industrial development in recent years. Mullagh's proximity to the proposed M3 motorway has had the affect of bringing Mullagh and the entire south Co. Cavan region within commuting distance from Dublin and larger towns in the Leinster region.
[edit] Amenities
Amenities locally include Mullagh Lake
(2 kilometers outside the village on the Virginia Road), Tennis Court and People's Park on Mullagh Fair Green, the St. Kilian's Heritage Center as mentioned above and the Edwin Carolan Memorial Park located on the Moynalty Road which includes a full size GAA pitch (open to all sports) and a 440 metre track around its perimeter. In the winter, the track is lit each night from 7.30 to 10pm or so to facilitate walking and running.
Local community organisations include a vibrant men's and ladies GAA club, Cuchulainns GFC, soccer is played with Castle Villa, the club based in neighbouring Meath Village, Moynalty (5 kilometers away), Community Games (athletics club), a Drama Society and a Golf Society. Separate committees are currently working on the further development of the Edwin Carolan Community Park to provide a large indoor sports centre and also on the provision of housing for the elderly.
Lakeview Gardens overlooking the Mullagh lake, just off the Virginia road is open to the public, check website for details (www.lakeviewgardens.net).
[edit] Historic Associations
Jonathan Swift wrote parts of Gulliver's Travels and The Tale Of The Tub whilst staying at the country home of his cleric friend Thomas Sheridan at Quilca House, which is close to the historic Mullagh village. Other notable descendants from the (Quilca) Sheridan family are the 18th century playwright Thomas Sheridan and notable writer Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Noting that the original historic village of Mullagh was situated over a kilometer north-west of the present village close to Mullagh lake off the Virginia Road, but there no longer remains any distinguishing features.
[edit] Trivia
Well known TV actor T. P. McKenna (All creatures great and small, Inspector Morse) and film/stage actor Brían F. O'Byrne ( Intermission , Million Dollar Baby) both hail from Mullagh.
Entertainer extraordinaire Gene Ormiston and his band Say La V also come from Mullagh.
Other more quirky attractions include the Dancing Chicken and the Collie Dog who does a three card trick! Visit John Joe Lynch's pub where they perform occasionally by request.
