Shanahoe

Shanahoe is a small village in County Laois, Ireland, situated in the centre of the county, 8km west of Abbeyleix and 7km south of Mountrath.cite web | title=Draft Stradbally Village Plan | work=Laois County Council | url=http://www.laois.ie/media/Media,4869,en.pdf | accessdate=2008-06-29]

Features

The village is essentially linear and the bulk of settlement has occurred along the two main approach roads into the village from the east and south. The focal point of the village is formed by a group of public buildings including the church, national school and community hall. The village also had a shop but this recently closed. There is a large area of vacant undeveloped agricultural land in the centre of Shanahoe. Given its close proximity to the east of the approved M7/M8 Motorway Scheme, the village is expected to experience future pressure for development.

History

The area is rich in folklore, monastic traditions and antiquities. Shanahoe was established as a Bronze Age settlement and a significant relic from that time, an encrusted urn, was discovered there in the 1930s.

Education

*Shanahoe National School has about 65 students.

People

*John Keegan (1816-1849), writer, poet and storyteller, was born in Killeaney near the village of Shanahoe. [cite web | title=John Keegan 1816 - 1849 | work=Ireland Online | url=http://www.iolfree.ie/~johnkeegan/biography.html | accessdate=2008-06-29]

port

* The local Gaelic Athletic Association club is Shanahoe GAA, whose pitches are located about 2km outside the village.

References