| Louisburgh Cluain Cearbán
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| — Town — | |
| Louisburgh town centre | |
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Louisburgh
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Mayo |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| • Town | 811 |
| • Urban | 314 |
| • Environs | 497 |
| Irish Grid Reference | L803812 |
Louisburgh (Irish: Cluain Cearbán) is a small town on the southwest corner of Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland. It is home to Sancta Maria College and the Gráinne O'Malley Interpretive Centre.
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Most of Louisburgh lies within the townland of Clooncarrabaun (an anglicisation of Cluain Cearbán). The town was constructed in 1795 by the 3rd Earl of Altamount, later 1st Marquess of Sligo, John Denis Browne of Westport to house Catholic refugees who fled sectarian conflict in the north of Ireland. Originally a planned town, it retains many of the eighteenth century features in style and scale. The 1st Marquess of Sligo named the town Louisburgh in memory of his Uncle - Captain Henry Browne - who fought on the British side, against the French, in the 1758 battle of Louisburg. Louisburg (or Louisbourg in French) was a French named fortress on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. As a result of the British victory, a Louisburgh regiment was formed, in which his Uncle was a captain.[2]
Louisburgh is built on the Bunowen River, part of which is a salmon fishery. Nearby Roonagh Pier, approx 6 km from the town, is the departure point for ferries to Clare Island and Inishturk. There are a number of beaches in the area renowned for their cleanliness and each year, on the May Bank Holiday Weekend, the town hosts a traditional music festival - Féile Chois Chuan - which attracts a large number of enthusiasts from many parts of Ireland and abroad.
The main geographical features around Louisburgh are Croagh Patrick to the east, the Sheaffrey and Mweelrea Mountains to the south, the Atlantic to the west and Clew Bay to the north.
Louisburgh experienced an upturn in its fortunes during the economic boom in Ireland. For many years emigration and joblessness prevailed. During the boom there was high employment especially in construction due to a large a number of holiday homes being built. Many local people commute to work in nearby towns such as Westport and Castlebar, each of which have a growing industrial base.
Louisburgh has facilities for fishermen, surfers, hill walkers, beach-walkers and photographers.
Recently the theatre has received a major boost in the town with the addition of a second drama society. The new group entitled Ceol agus Dramá i gCluain Cearbán (Music and Drama in Louisburgh) formed with a focus on children's theatre and pantomime. They then went on to perform the first ever pantomime in Louisburgh helping to raise over 1,000 euro for the local Order of Malta group. Since the group inception in 2006 they have produced 4 annual pantos Dick Whittington (2006), Cinderella (2007), Aladdin (2008) and Snow white (2009)
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