Carlingford, County Louth

Carlingford ( _ga. Cairlinn) is a picturesque, coastal village in northern County Louth, Ireland. It is situated between Carlingford Lough (to the east) and Slieve Foy, sometimes known as Carlingford Mountain (to the west) at GPS co-ordinates: 54.02.463N 6.11.120W. Located on the R176/R173 roads between Greenore Point and Omeath townland, Carlingford is approximately 27 km north (by road) of Dundalk (15.6km directly), 90 km north of Dublin and 11 km south of the border with Northern Ireland.

Carlingford has many streets with a medieval aspect - the main one being Tholsel Street ("Sráid an Tólsail" in Irish).

History

Foundation

Carlingford was settled approximately 800 years ago by Norman knight Hugh de Lacy after laying the foundation stone to a castle on a strategic outcrop of rock. As was common in those days, a settlement sprang up, close to this fortress.

The Prosperous Years

Carlingford’s strategic position on the east coast of Ireland (along with Carrickfergus and Dundalk) made it a vital trading port. This trade led to its relative prosperity during the 14th, 15th and early 16th Centuries. Carlingford's early prosperity was rocked, when in 1388, the town was burnt to the ground, by a Scots force under the command of Sir William Douglas of Nithsdale. This was a punitive raid, following Irish attacks on Galloway, the Lord of which was Nithsdale's father, Archibald the Grim.

Carlingford received 5 charters in total – the first in 1326 by Edward II and the last to occur in 1619 under James I. The increased trade encouraged the rich mercantile class to build – the results of which can still be seen today in the remains of the Mint and Taffee’s Castle.

War and Ruin

The 1640 rebellion and the subsequent Williamite wars of the 1690s all took their toll on the surrounding economy. As recorded in the Journal of Isaac Butler – Carlingford the town was in a “state of ruin” by 1744. However, the final nail in coffin was the desertion of the prosperous herring shoals that occupied the Lough to open water by the early 18th century.

The Modern Era

Carlingford’s inability to develop a heavy industry allowed for its medieval charm and archaeological artefacts to remain relatively intact. This led directly to tourism being the main source of employment. Also significant is fishing, particularly of oysters and crabs from the nearby harbour. A daily passenger ferry operates out of the village of Omeath, km to mi | 5 | abbr=yes | precision=0 away, during the summer months. Carlingford has expanded in recent years, the most recent addition being of a Four Season’s Hotel.

Miscellaneous

The Irish singer / songwriter Tommy Makem wrote a melancholy song about the town, "Farewell to Carlingford," covered by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem and The Dubliners.

Derivation of the name

Origin of the word Carlingford

The name of the village, Carlingford, is explained by examining the two constituent words "carling" and "ford".
# "Carling" or "Carlinn" from Gaelic: "Cathair + Linn": "Cathair" meaning city and "Linn" meaning pool. Literally "City of the Pool".
# "Fjord" or "fiord" from Norwegian, from Old Norse "fjorthr" meaning a firth or ford. Indicating a relatively narrow inlet of the sea.Combining both therefore leads to Carlingford - "City of the narrow channel pool" which is mostly accurate due its calm, protected waters and dangerous narrow channel at the entrance to the Lough. The sinking of the SS Connemara in 1916 testifies to the channel's dangers.

Carlingford's Previous Name

Although not widely known or used, Carlingford had a previous name: "Cuan Snamh Aighneach", or just "Cuan Aighneach", literally: the swimming harbour/haven of the Aighneach. "Aighneach" = "ogh" + "oineach", literally: perfect reputation.Putting it all together would lead to: the swimming harbour/haven of the people with perfect reputation.

Places of Interest

* King John’s Castle ("Caisleán Rí Sheáin" in Irish). Despite the western part being commissioned by Hugh de Lacy c. 1190, the castle owes it’s name to King John (Richard the Lionheart’s brother) who visited Carlingford in 1210. The eastern part was constructed in the mid 13th century with alterations and editions occurring in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 1950s the Office of Public Works (OPW) undertook conservation work to stabilize the structure. An excellent view of the north pier and Lough can be had from the looking area on the western side of the castle, though the castle itself tends to remain locked to the general public for their own safety.

* Taaffe’s Castle ("Caisleán Taaffe" in Irish). A fortified town house that belonged to the rich mercantile Taaffe family who became Earls of Carlingford in 1661. It’s close proximity to the harbour would suggest a trading depot of some kind occurring on the ground floor with the upper floors reserved for residence. It construction suggests two phases of construction - the main tower built in the early 16th century while the extension to the side occurred later.

* The Tholsel ("An Tólsail" in Irish). The Tholsel or “town-gate” is the only remaining example of its nature in Carlingford and one of the few left in Ireland. Originally it was three stories high – the present appearance due to alteration made in the 19th century. The original function was of course to levy taxes on good entering the town – the murder-holes on the side of the walls are testaments to that fact. In 1834 it was used by the Corporation of Carlingford for meeting and a Parliament is said to have used it to make laws for the Pale. It was also used as a town gaol ("Príosún An Bhaile" in Irish) in the 18th century.

* The Mint ("An Mionta" in Irish). Essentially a fortified three storey town house belonging to a wealthy merchant family in the centre of Carlingford. While the right to mint coinage was not granted to Carlingford until 1467 it is unlikely that it was actually used as a mint. The most interesting feature is the five highly decorated limestone windows. The patterns and motifs are an example of the influence of the Celtic Renaissance on art during the 16th century.

* Dominican Friary ("Mainistir Chairlinn" in Irish). The Dominicans were established in Carlingford in 1305 primarily because of their patron Richard de Burgo with the friary itself being dedicated to St. Malachy. Dissolved in 1540 by Henry VIII it became the centre of a repossession struggle between the Dominicans and Franciscans in the 1670s. It was resolved in favour of the Dominicans by Oliver Plunkett. However the friary itself was subsequently abandoned in the 18th century by the Dominicans to their present location of Dundalk. The remains today consist of a nave and chancel divided by a tower. Also, there are possible remains of some domestic buildings to the south like a mill, mill race and mill pond. The only permanent inhabitants now are the pigeons that occupy the nooks and crannies and the occasional tourists.

* Town Wall ("Balla an Bhaile" in Irish). Established by charter in 1326 by Edward II to the Bailiffs of Carlingford it allowed them to levy muragh for its building. Not much remains however but the little that does has some externally splayed musket loops that would indicate the arrival of firearms to Ireland in the late 15th century. It is likely that the wall had an external ditch to strengthen its defences. Its purpose was to serve as a barrier to ensure that goods entering the town had to pass through a town gate (and hence could be taxed) but it also had the purpose of creating a boundary between Gael and Norman.

* Ghan House ("Na Glenntaigh" in Irish, literally: the glen). A fine Georgian House built by William Stannus in 1727 it is surrounded by castellated walls and a guard tower. The first floor contains the drawing room which has a decorative ceiling of rococo plaster work of flower garlands and medallion busts reputed to be of Stannus ladies. The basement contains two underground passageways (now blocked) that runs to the Heritage Centre and the bakers (now chemist). This latter tunnel was reportedly used by a silent order of monks who once lived on the site – apparently they supplied the local bakery but with to avoid contact with people. Today Ghan House is used as a luxury guest house (with wine bar), ballroom, meeting room and cookery school.

* Church of the Holy Trinity ("Eaglais Na Tríonóide Naofa" in Irish). Donated by the Church of Ireland to Carlingford this restored medieval church is also known as the Holy Trinity Heritage Centre. Exhibits inside display the history of Carlingford from Viking times to the present period. The video and beautiful stained glass window are popular with visitors. Musical recitals are common. The grounds outside contain a graveyard.

* De Gaulle ("Teach Meánaoiseach agus Cloigeann Cloch" in Irish, literally: Medieval House and Stone Head). Carlingford has a pseudo historical/comical head affectionately known as De Gaulle. This feature is situated on the south facing gable on a building on Newry Street. Some enterprising Francophile placed a piece of slate for the cap and the attraction was born.

* Market Square ("Cearnóg na Margadh" in Irish). Now the main street of Carlingford, this was the area where a weekly market was held with records of its layout going back to 1358. It is now the intersection of Dundalk Street and the beginning of River Lane.

Other Items of Interest

* Carlingford Marina ("Cairlinn Muiríne" in Irish)

* PJ O'Hare Pub ("Teach Tabhairne" in Irish)

Originally owned by Patrick Joseph O'Hare the pub was sold after his death in 1991. Since then it has passed through two sets of owners before the present owner extended it to its current size. Known locally as PJs or just O'Hare's the Anchor Bar (as it is less commonly called) is centrally located (on Tholsel Street) and is popular with locals and tourists alike. The Leprechaun bones and artifacts on display draw some amusement and are a tribute to PJ who started the Lephrechaun Hunt that used to be held in May every year.

* The Spout ("An Spút" in Irish)

Not widely known, the Spout is located on ViewPoint Road. Unfortunately, the build up of bacteria around this outlet of water has made it an unsightly reminder of how the locals of Carlingford collected their water in times long gone by.

* Slieve Foy Wood ("Coill Sliabh Feidh" in Irish)

A particularly beautiful walk located between Omeath and Carlingford before Slieve Foy mountain. It is both popular with locals and tourists alike who appreciate the spectacular views of the Lough and the sense of isolation. Also present along the walk is a rock quarry, waterfall, logging camp and streams.

Transport

Carlingford railway station opened on 1 August 1876, but finally closed on 1 January 1952. [cite web | title=Carlingford station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-14]

=

People

*Thomas D'Arcy McGee (April 13 1825 Carlingford, Ireland - April 7 1868 Ottawa, Canada) McGee was the first Canadian politician to be assassinated, a murder still debated to this date. A former Irish radical Fenian. McGee became a moderate and urged Irish Catholics to become involved with the new parties as one of the new country's most eloquent speakers.
*Lorcán Ó Muireadais (March 8 1883)
*Tony Meehan (Daniel O'Miadhachain) (2 March 1943 – 28 November 2005) Tony was one of the founder members of the British group The Shadows, along with Jet Harris, Hank B. Marvin and Bruce Welch. He played drums on all the early Cliff Richard and The Shadows hits and also played on the early hits the Shadows had as an instrumental group. Buried in Carlingford cemetery.

ee also

*List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland (County Louth)
*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.carlingford.net Official Carlingford Online website]
* [http://www.carlinnparish.com The official Carlingford and Omeath Parish website]