Tyrrellspass
| Tyrrellspass Bealach an Tirialaigh | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Tyrrellspass Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 53°23′20″N 7°22′38″W / 53.388921°N 7.377323°WCoordinates: 53°23′20″N 7°22′38″W / 53.388921°N 7.377323°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Westmeath |
| Elevation | 71 m (233 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Urban | 506 |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
| • Summer (DST) | IST (WEST) (UTC-1) |
| Irish Grid Reference | N414377 |
Tyrrellspass (Irish: Bealach an Tirialaigh) is a Georgian village in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is located 81 kilometres (50 mi) from Dublin and is situated in the south of the county on the R446 (formerly the N6) road. Tyrrellspass won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1969. As of April 2011, population of the area is 506 and it's increasing by 0.53% per year.[2]
History
The origins of the village settlement lie in the Nine Year's War (1594-1603), also called Tyrone's Rebellion. In 1597 there was a battle in Tyrrellspass and the Irish, between 300 and 400 strong and led by Richard Tyrrell, attacked and defeated the English army. Out of 1,000 English troops only one survived.[3] There is a historic castle on the edge of the town, built by Tyrrell, a chief ally of Aodh Mór Ó Néill in the Nine Years' War. It is the only remaining castle of the Tyrrells, who came to Ireland around the time of the Norman Invasion.[4]
The village has a distinctive green and crescent of houses, including the Church of Ireland church and what was previously the court house, that was redeveloped c.1820 under the patronage of Jane MacKey, Countess of Belvedere (d.1836). The Catholic Church of St. Stephen is located across from Tyrrellspass Castle.
The Belvedere Protestant Children's Orphanage operated in Tyrellspass, from 1842 until 1943.
During the 1916 Easter Rising, some rebels barricaded a house in Meedin, Tyrrellspass, with the intention of waiting for reinforcements and then attacking surrounding police barracks. Local legend has it that Michael Collins stayed in this house the home of the Malone's, who still occupy the house. The RIC attempted to capture the house on three occasions. Twice they were repelled with gunfire, before they eventually succeeded on the Wednesday after Easter week, and arrested the two remaining rebels Thomas and Joseph Malone. They were the last two men captured under arms during the Rising.
Sport
Tyrrellspass has an excellent GAA senior football team. The team won the Westmeath Senior Football Championship in 1999, 2006 and defended their title in 2007. In the 2007 Leinster Club Football Championship they progressed as far as the final, where they were beaten by the eventual All Ireland Club champions St. Vincents of Dublin.
The Village also boasts a popular golf course. New Forest Golf Resort[5] is located a mile outside the village. It is designed by famous golf course design, Peter McEvoy and he describes it as one of his best designs.[6]
Famous people
Father Ray Kelly
See also
References
- ↑ Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area Table 6 Population of each province, county, city, urban area, rural area and electoral division, 2006 and 2011
- ↑ "Demographics of Tyrrellspass".
- ↑ "History: The Battle of Tyrrellspass".
- ↑ "History of Tyrrellspass".
- ↑ "New Forest Golf Club".
- ↑ "New Forest Golf Resort".
External links
St Sinians Church of Ireland
The Clockhouse
St Sinians
