Mullinalaghta

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Mullinalaghta
Mullach na Leachta

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53°49′59″N 7°31′07″W / 53.8331, -7.5186

Irish grid reference
N316872

Statistics

98 m

Population (2002)
- Town:
- Environs:

-
450

Mullinalaghta (Irish Mullach na Leachta; pronounced /mɔːlɪnəˈlæxtə/ or (less formally) /mɔːlɪnˈjæxtə/ in English^{[citation needed]}), also officially referred to as Mullanalaghta, is a half-parish in the north-eastern part of County Longford, Ireland, located about eight kilometres north of Granard. Its name means "Hill of the standing stones (or gravestones)", and is derived from a hill in the centre of the area which was the original site of the local church. The area consists of eleven townlands: Aghanoran (Achadh an Fhuaráin), Cloonagh (Cluain Each), Clooneen (Cluainín), Culleenmore (An Cuilleann Mór), Derrycassan (Doire an Chasáin), Druminacrehir (Droimeann na Criathrach), Kilmore (An Chill Mhór), Larkfield (Cluain Fhuiseog), Leitrim (Liathdhroim), Mullinroe (An Muileann Rua) and Toome (An Tom). Mullinalaghta is not itself a townland, but is part of the townland of Cloonagh. The area has well-defined boundaries, with Lough Gowna and the River Erne bounding it to the west and north, the parish of Mullahoran in County Cavan on its eastern border, and a tributary of the Erne, the Clooneen River, separating it from the rest of County Longford on the south.

Mullinalaghta formed part of the medieval territory of Annaly, largely corresponding to today's County Longford. It was under the control of the Mac Gearadháin (Gaynor) family, being referred to in sixteenth century documents as Muntergerran (Muintir Gearadháin). Ecclesiastically, it was under the control of the abbey of Inchmore in Lough Gowna, founded by Saint Colmcille in the 6th century. This was reflected by Mullinalaghta forming part of the civil parish of Columbkille and also being part of the same Roman Catholic parish until 1839, when it was joined with the Cavan parish of Scrabby to its north, with which it has since been united. The area has been hard hit by emigration, with the population declining from a pre-Famine peak of over 3,200 (figures from 1841 Census at [1][2]) to its present population of less than five hundred.

Mullinalaghta is notable for its attractive scenery, with the combination of rolling drumlins, lakes, and woodland having earned it the description of "the new West Cork" by the well-known Irish journalist Mary Kenny. Tourism is important in the area, with Lough Gowna and the river Erne being noted for their coarse fishing. A former landlord's demesne at Derrycassan on the shore of Lough Gowna has been planted with both deciduous and coniferous trees by the Irish Forestry Commission, and has been developed by the local community as a tourist attraction with scenic walks and picnic areas. The demesne was owned by the Dopping family, who built a mansion there, reputedly with stones from the medieval abbey on Inchmore; in what might be viewed as an early example of recycling, when Derrycassan House was demolished in the 1930s, the stones were bought by the local community to be used to build a new Catholic church in the parish.

The area is mainly agricultural, with dairy and drystock cattle farming and sheep farming predominating. The main centre of population is in the adjacent townlands of Cloonagh and Larkfield, which contains the Roman Catholic church (erected in 1939) and a graveyard including the site of an earlier church from 1832, as well as facilities such as a primary school, post office, community centre, shop and two public houses.

Gaelic football is the main sport in the area, with the local club having been founded in 1891. The club colours are maroon and white. The club was noted for its success during the 1940s and 1950s, winning several league and championship titles at county level - a remarkable achievement for an area with a small population even by local standards. The club currently has teams competing in both men's and women's Gaelic football, and is developing its facilities at Derrycassan, with a good-quality full-size pitch, expanded dressing rooms, and a stand and car-parking facilities.

The well-known Irish country music singer, Larry Cunningham, is a native of Mullinalaghta.