Athlacca (historically Athlacka, from Irish: an tÁth Leacach, meaning "the ford of the flagstones")[1] is a small village in County Limerick, in the south west of Ireland. It is situated 26 km south of Limerick City, on the Morningstar river. The name Athlacca means 'ford of the flagstones', a feature that was once evident under the current St Catherine's Bridge. In the 17th century the parishes of Dromin and Athlacca amalgamated and became one, now the parish goes by the name Dromin/Athlacca.
There are two pubs in the village, a National School, a Playschool and Catholic Church. There are also two pubs in Dromin. Whilst the Catholic church remains in permanent use, the old Protestant, although the Church did lie in ruins they are at present the new Graveyard to the parish. The Church itself has been demolished and all that remains is the steeple and gable wall. The parish extends from Rathcannon in the south to Crean in the north, the home of the famous hurling and tug-of war teams(current townsland champions).
Athlacca is in a rural area where farming, although in steep decline, still being the biggest employer.
Athlacca's most famous parishioners are Jim Cregan, the former European athletics champion, and PP Hogan, champion horse trainer. The most popular sports, in order of participation levels, are Hurling, Gaelic football, soccer and badminton and Greyhound Racing anyone interested in finding out more about greyhound racing should contact www.irishcoursingclub.ie Horse racing,has a big following in the area and a point-to-point meeting is held annually. Not alone does Athlacca hold their own point to point but they hold the Bruff Point to Points and other parishes.
The Sheltered Housing known as "Dawn Court" was built on the grounds of the old Creamery. It was opened by the President of Ireland. Mrs. Mary McAleese. The only part of the old creamery left is the chimney staff. There are at present 20 houses in this area. The houses consist of two bedrooms, kitchen, dining/sitting room and bathroom. There is a small shed out the back of the houses for storing coal or other items belonging to each individual. This housing system is unique as it is ecologically friendly. More houses went up a couple of years ago and to separate the dwellings there is a marble chair. This sculpture is of a high chair or Kings chair. It is made of green marble. On top of the chair is the head and antlers of a red deer this is in honour of the giant elk that was found in Rathcannon at the turn of the 20th Century.
The Dromin/Athlacca community launched their defibrillator project on the 25th of August at the Church in Athlacca. This is a unique project in the southern region and it's launch was testament to the commitment the community have shown to this issue. The project developed from money raised at the annual 'Community Cross Country Ride in 2004' & from a corresponding concern about the issue of heart related emergencies in the region. Following the recruitment of a project co-coordinator, 18 volunteers were recruited to operate the defibrillators and two defibrillator machines are now in place at fixed sites. One of the defibrillators is on the wall to the left of Dromin Church and the second is on the wall on the right of the Church in Athlacca.
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