Currow

Currow An Currach / Corra
—  Town  —
Currow Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°10′56″N 9°29′51″W / 52.18225°N 9.49755°W / 52.18225; -9.49755Coordinates: 52°10′56″N 9°29′51″W / 52.18225°N 9.49755°W / 52.18225; -9.49755
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Kerry
Government
- Dáil Éireann	Kerry South
Area
- Total	33.76 km2 (13 sq mi)
Population (2011)
- Total	913
- Density	27/km2 (70/sq mi)
Time zone	WET (UTC+0)
- Summer (DST)	IST (WEST) (UTC-1)
Area code(s)	+353 066
Irish Grid Reference	Q972043

Currow (Irish: An Currach / Corra, meaning "The Marsh") is a rural village in County Kerry in south west Ireland, located approximately 12 km from Killarney and 18 km from Tralee. Currow is situated on the Brown Flesk River, a tributary of the Maine River. Currow covers 3,376 Hectares,^[1] much of the land is arable, mainly used as pasture for dairy stock. However there are areas of peat land, particularly to the south, where a blanket bog is located on the border with Kilcummin. There are many old, mature trees particularly on the floodplain of the river. Currow is mainly a residential area with close links to Castleisland. The main industry is agriculture. The original village grew up on both sides of the roadway to the north of Flesk Bridge, between two old estates, Dicksgrove and Parkmore, which have influenced the architectural character. The Meredith Family were the landlords of the area, residing in the old Parkmore estate. The first influence of the British came from the Herbert Family during the plantations. The village escaped much of the major development experienced by many nearby villages and towns during the Celtic Tiger. Any development is mainly one-off housing. Currow is bordered to the west by Farranfore, to the south by Kilcummin, to the east by Scartaglin and to the north by Castleisland. Currans lies north west of Currow, which forms the Killeentierna Parish. Con Houlihan, a columnist with the Sunday World, once wrote how he considered Currow as his 'own favourite' village in Ireland. Although he is undecided whether Currow is a village or a hamlet. He also declared he would someday 'apply to be made a Freeman of Currow'.^[2] Currow takes pride in its sporting heritage, producing several international rugby players. The popularity of the GAA is unrivaled in the community but basketball has thrived in recent decades, particularly with juveniles, with much success at county, provincial and national level.

Demographics

Killeentierna is the Electoral District of Currow, this includes Kilsarcon. It is within the Rural District of Killarney and is included in the Kerry South Constituency for national elections, despite its economic connection with Castleisland which is in the Kerry North Constituency. Killeentierna is also the Roman Catholic Parish under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kerry which is made up of Currow, Kilsarcon and Currans. Currans has its own Electoral District however. Previous to 1898, Currow was included under the barony of Trughanacmy. However this form of administrative area has been obsolete since the Local Government Act 1898.

Census 2011

The Census of Ireland 2011, which took place on 10 April, shows an increase in population in the Killeentierna Electoral District on Census 2006 figures, a 2.4% increase. The 2011 population is at 913 persons, 461 males and 452 females. More figures are due to be released at a later date.

Census 2006

In Census 2006, Currow had a population of 892 persons (465 males and 427 females). This comprises a mere 0.63% of County Kerry’s population. However this was a slight increase on 2002 Census figures of 856. The Census 1996 recorded 878 inhabitants. In recent decades, it has remained consistent but in just under 190 years since the 1821 Census, there has been a net decrease in population of 55%. Currow has a largely homogenous population with most of Irish descent. Catholicism is the largest religion in the area covering 95.06% of the population. Although the Irish language is not commonly spoken in Currow, 395 people said in the Census 2006 that they have the ability to speak it. For more information on Census 2006 Results and historic census, visit the Central Statistic Office Website and search under Killeentierna Electoral District.

Historic Population 1911-2011

Year	Population
Census 2011	913[3].
Census 2006	892[4]
Census 2002	856[4]
Census 1996	878[1]
Census 1991	896[5]
Census 1986	924[5]
Census 1981	895[6]
Census 1979	862[6]
Census 1971	855[6]
Census 1966	875[7]
Census 1961	886[7]
Census 1956	937[8]
Census 1951	955[8]
Census 1946	1,019[9]
Census 1936	1,043[9]
Census 1926	1,091[10]
Census 1911	1,114[10]
Census 1901	1,202[11]
Census 1891	1,878[11]
Census 1881	1,615[12]
Census 1871	1,525[12]
Census 1861	1,654[12]
Census 1851	1,792[12]
Census 1841	2,740[12]
Census 1831	2,079[13]
Census 1821	1,983[14]

Facilities

Currow is typical of many traditional Irish villages, consisting of basic facilities. However it is very well served for its population size. The inhabitants travel to the primary district town of Castleisland for other services or to Tralee or Killarney for more specific services and facilities. Currow comprises two public houses, a Roman Catholic church, community centre (consisting of large hall area, stage, meeting rooms, changing facilities), primary school, post office, two convenience shops, graveyard, an electronic services workshop, small public park and a GAA pitch. Accommodation in the village is mainly bed & breakfasts or self catering houses. There are several other small enterprises and services in the area.

Access and Communication

Information on Access to Currow

Access	Information
Tralee to Currow (Road)	Take N22 Tralee-Cork Road to Farranfore. At Farranfore turn left onto R561. Continue for 3 km on R561 to Currow.
Cork/Killarney to Currow (Road)	Take N22 Cork-Tralee Road through Killarney to Farranfore. At Farranfore turn right onto R561. Continue for 3 km on R561 to Currow.
Limerick/Castleisland to Currow (Road)	Take N21 Limerick-Tralee Road to Castleisland. At Castleisland follow take N23 Castleisland-Farranfore Road. Exit left off N23 after 3 km and take R561 to Currow.
Limerick/Galway/Dublin (Bus)	Bus Stop at Castleisland
Tralee/Killarney/Cork/Waterford (Bus)	Bus Stop at Farranfore
Local Bus Services	Bus Stop at Church Square, Currow
Railway Station	Farranfore
Airport	Kerry Airport

Roads Network

Currow is mainly accessible by road networks. It is located approximately 7 km from Castleisland, south of the N23 national primary road, which runs from Castleisland to Farranfore, connecting traffic from the N21 road to the N22 road. Currow Village is connected to both the N22 at Farranfore and the N23 at Lisheenbaun Cross via the R561 regional road. It can also be accessed using several local routes. It is located on the old Killarney road, which is now considered a ‘scenic route’ to Killarney.

Rail, Bus & Air

The closest railway station is found at Farranfore which is 3.5 km east of Currow. Irish Rail has several inter-city daily services to Dublin, Cork, Tralee and Killarney from Farranfore Railway Station. Connecting services to other cities can be accessed along this network.

Preceding station	Iarnród Éireann			Following station
Killarney		InterCity Dublin-Tralee		Tralee
Killarney		Commuter Mallow-Tralee		Tralee

Currow can also be accessed using the Irish bus network, Bus Éireann, although services are limited to the village, nearby stops are found in Farranfore and Castleisland. Kerry International Airport is also located at Farranfore on the N23. The runway is only 800m from Currow Village. However the terminal is 5 km in distance. Kerry Airport offers domestic flights to Dublin plus several international flights.

Distances to/from Currow

Destination/Origin	Distance (Approx)
Farranfore	4.5 km
Castleisland	6.5 km
Tralee	21 km
Killarney	19 km
Dingle	59 km
Kenmare	53 km
Listowel	34 km
Limerick	91 km
Cork	105 km
Dublin	280 km
Waterford	190 km
Galway	190 km
Belfast	450 km
Rosslare Harbour	266 km
Shannon Airport	111 km

Media

Current Publications

All local news and events in the locality are communicated through several local and regional print media. Local notes are included in the pages of the Sliabh Luachra Outlook which is published every Saturday. This contains news from all areas of the Sliabh Luachra region. Notes are also included in the weekly Kerryman Newspaper, most often in the South County Edition. It is published on Wednesday. The Kerry's Eye, which is published on Thursday also includes articles on Currow from time to time. There are also notes announced through the church, incorporated into the weekly mass leaflet. It focuses more on ecclesiastical interests.

Past Publications

In the 1990s an annual newsletter ran to print, called Currow and Currans Anois is Aris which translates as 'now and then'. The first edition was in 1990. The editor was Con Dennehy, who is currently the editor for the Sliabh Luachra Outlook. It included the news and reports from the particular year. It is also an extremely reliant source for historic information for Currow. It however has ceased press for several years now.

Radio & TV

Radio Kerry is also a source of local news. There are many internet websites for local news also. There is no regional television broadcaster specific to Currow or Kerry however a documentary was made on Currow in 2000.

TV Documentary

Currow has been the focus of a documentary based on its rich sporting heritage and particularly its four international rugby players who hail from the area. As well as interviews with local residents, it shows footage from around the village. It was recorded in 2000 by East Cork Videos. The documentary can be found on YouTube.
Currow, Kerry - Home to Kerry's Rugby Heroes
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Townlands

Currow's townlands (Baile Fearainn) tell a lot about the history and heritage of the landscape. Although originally Irish, many place names were slightly tweaked over time as British settlers converted the names from Gaelic to a looser English form. Townlands are used in the Irish Postal System.

A - B Annagh: Watery place // Boherbee: The yellow road // Beenateevane: The top of a sloping hill // Balygree: A town in the east of Dysert // Ballybeg: A small town // Bawnaglanna: Head land near a glen // Ballahantourigh: Assembly hill // Blackbriar: Conspicuous and elevated place // Barnfield: The field of the white marsh or hill // Ballymacdonnel: Town of MacDonnell // Ballindrohid: Townland at the bridge

C - D Clashganniv: Hollow of the sand // Currow Ross: The little wood at the rounded hill // Currow City: // Clounclough: The meadow of the limestone // Clouncurrig: Pasture land, between two woods // Cloonacrrrig: The marshy place // Corraknockaun: Generally a marsh // Dysert: A desert or hermitage // Dicksgrove: Dick Meredith's grove // Tír na gCuas : Country of the caves // Dromulton: The ridge of the weathers // Droumrue: Red ridge

E - H Farran: Land, field, territory country // Farrandoctor: A dear profitless spot of land Áitin daor docht // Farranmanach: The strangers plot // Farrankeal: A narrow stream // Glounlea: The grey glen // Gortalea: The field at the side of the hill // Glounbawn: The white glen // Gortacnach: The field of the hill // Garraundarragh: The grove of the oak trees // Gloundaeigh: Ravens glen The glen of the two ravens // Gortshanafa: The field of the old hut

I - O Inchabee: Yellow inch // Inchincummer: Ravine valley The inch at the valley // Kilcow: Cuckoo wood // Killeentierna: The church of Tighernagh // Kilfeilim: The church of Feidhlim // Kilfalney: The church of the robe // Knockacorrin: The heap of the stones // Kilsarcon: The church of Arcain // Kileen: The little church // Laharn: Half land Townland near Farran // Lisheenbawn: Little white lios or fort // Lissataggle: The fort of the rye // Loughnagore: Loch na gCór ; Loch : A Lake Corr: Bird of the crane or heron kind // Lyre: Harp // Meanus: Mine

P - Z Parknamulloge:The field of the skulls, lumpy Place, small height // Powell's Road: // Parknasmuttane: The field of the block or scraps of wood // Parkmore: The big field // Rossanean: The home by the birds // Ranaleen: Fort by the pool, pond or lake // Ranalough: The fort of the lake // Sandville: // Shanavullen: The old mill // Slieveenagh: // Springmount: Cnocearagh // Threegeeves: The amount of land a man could plough in a day // Urroghal: Cockle weed land
^[15]

Community Organisations & Culture

Currow has a proud and thriving community, and offers something to all portions of the community. Currow boasts numerous sporting organisations for an area of its size. The village’s most dominant club is Currow GAA, which has its own grounds to the east of the village. It is also home to St. Bridget's Basketball Club, Community Games, Currow Cycling Club and Currow Gun Club. Many of these are based in the community centre. Most clubs support the colours set by the GAA of black and amber.
Currow has a Tidy Towns Organisation as well as a Rural Development group, dedicated to enhancing the local environment and developing amenities. Currow also has groups attached to the Roman Catholic Church which is in the Killeentierna Parish under the Diocese of Kerry. There is also a parish youth organisation; Killeentierna Youth Club.

Sliabh Luachra

Currow is located in a cultural area known as Sliabh Luachra. It is known for its style of traditional Irish music. The music of the district shows a return to a faster pace of music which has a range of musical emotion. There is life and joy in the fast moving light melodies.

Places of Interest

Currow Wildlife Park

A pond and wildlife sanctuary has been created to the east of the village. Much work was carried out here by local development groups and work included the raising of water levels and landscaping. The area is now home to several species such as the moorhen, mute swan and mallard. A walk and seating area is also provided. This is a valuable amenity in the village and it adds to biodiversity in the area.^[16]

Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located at the centre of the village on a site donated by Mr. Richard Meredith, who had connections to the estate house in Dickgrove. It is a Roman Catholic church and was finished to a very high standard. It was built by Mr. John McSweeney at a cost of £40,000. The church was blessed and dedicated by Rev. Denis Moynihan, Bishop of Kerry, on 2 June 1954.^[17]

Scoil Mhuire Agus Naomh Threasa

Scoil Mhuire Agus Naomh Threasa (English: St Mary's and Teresa School) is the primary school serving the parish of Currow. Originally Scoil Mhuire, the Department of Education amalgamated Scoil Mhuire with Kilsarcon School which centralized resources to the more modern facility in Currow Village. It has, like most schools in the Republic of Ireland, strong links to the adjacent Catholic Church. However it is non-denominational.

Brown Flesk River

Currow is situated on the Brown Flesk River, a tributary of the Maine River. This river is designated a salmonid river under the EU Freshwater Fish Directive and is a productive angling river with high quality spawning and nursery grounds. This designation aims to protect and improve the quality of fresh waters that support certain species of fish. Specific water quality standards must be maintained and pollution controlled in these rivers. Ireland is legally required to maintain and improve the water quality of rivers for salmonid fisheries.^[16]

The Meredith Estate

The Herberts were the first British family to settle in Currow during the plantations. The Merediths came to Currow in 1635 and bought some of the Herbert Estate. They were originally silversmiths. They built a stately home close to the village, now named after Richard Meredith, Dicksgrove, much of which still remains today, particularly the main house, gate lodges at the village and Dromroe and the estate walls which now run along a section of the R561. The Meredith mansion was burned out in 1932. Finally in 1935 the Land Commission took over and after decades of campaigning won rights for Irish tenants working off estate land. Sporting organisations also benefited, Currow GAA grounds are located on the estate grounds.^[17]

The Metal Bridge

Built in the early 1930s by Con Singleton from Gneeveguilla in the townland of Ballybeg, located east towards Kilsarcon. The Metal Bridge is a crossing point along the Brown Flesk River. All work was done by pick and shovel and the bridge was made from concrete on dry land. A new channel was then dug out which diverted the waters. The name 'The Metal Bridge' is a slight digression, which actually comes from the previous footbridge that existed. That was built by metal and iron during the famine years. Any bigger traffic had to cross the water near the ford where it was shallow. The road on which it exists is also called Bothar na Mine or Road of Meal. This is because the men who built it were paid in meal rather than money. There was a great flood in 1941, which swept one of the arches away. It has since been restored.^[18]

The Reidy Bridge

This bridge is located in the village, beside Dicksgrove Gate Lodge. It was named after the parish priest who served in Currow at the time of construction in 1941. It was a replacement for the bridge that swept away in the 1941 flood. It has three arches, replicating the old bridge. The river only flows through two of the arches. The third is for times of flood.^[18]

Notable People

• Moss Keane – International Rugby
• Mick Galwey - International Rugby
• Tom Doyle - International Rugby
• Mick Doyle – International Rugby
• Séamus Scanlon – Inter-County Football
• John Teahan – National & International Basketball

Location Grid

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (2003). Census 2002. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 91. Link to PDF
2. ^ Houlihan, C. (1998). Con - Now Read On. In: Dennehy, C Currow and Currans Anois is Aris. Shanagolden Limerick: Fitzsimons Printers. pp 95.
3. ^ Central Statistics Office (2011). Census 2011
4. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (2007). Census 2006. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 91. Link to PDF
5. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (1993). Census 1991. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 118. Link to PDF
6. ^ ^{a b c} Central Statistics Office (1982). Census 1981. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 107. Link to PDF
7. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (1967). Census 1966. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 117. Link to PDF
8. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (1957). Census 1956. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 98 Link to PDF
9. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (1947). Census 1946. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 93. Link to PDF
10. ^ ^{a b} Central Statistics Office (1928). Census 1926. Dublin: Stationary Office. pp 93. Link to PDF
11. ^ ^{a b} Government of the United Kingdom (1902). Census of Ireland 1901. Dublin: Cahill & Company. pp 47. Link to PDF
12. ^ ^{a b c d e} Government of the United Kingdom (1882). Census of Ireland 1881. Dublin: Alex. Thom. pp 473. Link to PDF
13. ^ Government of the United Kingdom (1833). Census of Ireland, 1831 . London: House of Commons. pp 24. Link to PDF
14. ^ Government of the United Kingdom (1823). Census of Ireland, 1821 . London: House of Commons. pp 182. Link to PDF
15. ^ Scoil Mhuire. (2000). Townlands of Killeentierna. Available: Schools Integration Project. Retrieved 2010.
16. ^ ^{a b} Kerry County Council (2009). Castleisland Functional Area Adopted Local Area Plan - Currow. Tralee: Kerry County Council. pp 128.Link to PDF.
17. ^ ^{a b} The Taxpayers News. (1992). Tales of Currow. In: Dennehy, C Currow and Currans Anois is Aris. Shanagolden Limerick: Fitzsimons Printers. pp 46.
18. ^ ^{a b} Kearney, G. (1995). The Reidy Bridge and Metal Bridge. In: Dennehy, C Currow and Currans Anois is Aris. Shanagolden Limerick: Fitzsimons Printers. pp 95.

External links

• Currow G.A.A. Club
• Currow Youth Club
• Currow Cycling Club
• Kerry Airport
• Functional Area Local Area Plan
• Currow on ACME Mapper
• Bunachar Logainmeacha na hÉireann - Currow / Corra