Cúil Aodha

For the cheese, see Coolea (cheese).

Cúil Aodha Coolea
—  Village  —
Cúil Aodha Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 51°55′41″N 09°13′07″W / 51.92806°N 9.21861°W / 51.92806; -9.21861Coordinates: 51°55′41″N 09°13′07″W / 51.92806°N 9.21861°W / 51.92806; -9.21861
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Cork
Cúil Aodha is the only official name.

Cúil Aodha (pronounced [ˌkuːlʲ ˈiː]; anglicized as Coolea)^[1] is a townland and village in the Gaeltacht region of Muskerry in County Cork, Ireland. It is near the River Sullane's source, high in the Derrynasaggart Mountains.

Townland

Most of the inhabitants live on the south side of the valley.^{[citation needed]} The townland itself is in Ballyvourney Parish and is an official Gaeltacht where the Irish language is used as the primary day to day tongue. The area is famous for its strong cultural tradition, especially within the field of music and song; Sean-nós. The village of Coolea is close to the new Wind Farms which are located on the mountains which mark the Cork and Kerry border. The land is mountainous and roadways are usually narrow laneways which lead up the valley. Some localities which surround the village of Coolea would be (Irish: Barr d'Inse), Milleeny (na Millíní) and The Coom.

People

The Irish composer Seán Ó Riada lived in the area between Coolea village and Ballyvourney until his death and his son Peadar Ó Riada is currently conducting the famous choir Cór Chúl Aodha. In the summer of 2008 a bronze monument of Seán Ó Riada was erected near Cúil Aodha church. Murty and John Buckley are two of Coolea's most famous sons. Both are musicians of great renown and have been known to play to great crowds in the local pubs.

Trade

Coolea cheese is produced in the area. The Mark Éire factory, which specialises in climate technology, opened in 1987 and is still operating its Irish Department out of Cúil Aodha village.^[2]

Film

In recent times Song for a Raggy Boy and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (directed by Ken Loach), have been filmed in the area surrounding Coolea.

Transport

The area is rural and has a dispersed population around the valley. No bus service operates to the village. The nearest Bus Éireann route is the Cork to Tralee route which passes through Ballyvourney which is approximately 2 miles from Coolea village.

References

1. ^ Placenames Database of Ireland
2. ^ Mark Climate Technology. Mark Éire Verified 2011-04-03.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland