- Caragh
Infobox Irish Place
name = Caragh
gaeilge = Cearthach
crest
map
pin coords = left: 67px; top: 47px
north coord = 53.2359
west coord = 6.7237
irish grid = N844218
elevation = 117.5 m
province =Leinster
county =County Kildare
town pop = 1,492
census yr = 2006
web = www.caragh.net|Caragh is a
village inCounty Kildare ,Ireland . It is located on the R409regional road between theRiver Liffey and the Grand Canal approximately 4 km north-west ofNaas . The village is also 8 km fromClane and 15 km from Newbridge. Caragh is also know as the parish that includes the village itself, surrounding townlands and Prosperous village which is situated about 3 km noth-west from the village.The main features in the village are a notably large
Roman Catholic church (Our Lady & St. Joseph), a shop (Centra ), a pub (Coffeys), a national primary school and Mondello motor racing circuit (approx. 1.5 km from village centre).Geography
The village is situated in the northern half of County Kildare approximately 3 km north-west of junction 10 of the M7 motorway. The river Liffey flows adjacent to the village. There is a single traffic lane bridge crossing the Liffey approaching Caragh on the R409 from the south. A local historian claims that it is the oldest bridge still in existence on the entire course of the river.
The
Bog of Allen , a peatland region that covers large parts of central Ireland, borders the village.The Dublin to Cork railway line runs through the village, however, there is no railway station.
The Grand Canal also runs past Caragh and near-by is the [http://walks.iwai.ie/grand/graphics/liffey_aqueduct_150_16m.jpgLeinster Aqueduct] . This point is where the Grand Canal crosses over the river Liffey.
Demographics and economy
Caragh village has seen many new building developments in recent years. The addition of four new housing developments has boosted the population of the village to 1,492 people (source: [http://www.cso.ie/census/Census2006Results.htm CSO Census 2006] ). According to the 2002 census, the population was 901 people. There are a 221 houses in the village proper.
The village and parish form part of the Kildare South electoral division.
Kildare County Council, OSI and other government bodies and agencies use the spelling "Carragh". This spelling is used only on official maps, planning notices and other official documents.
Sport and amenities
Gaelic FootballThere are two
Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in Caragh. The football club isRaheens , its grounds are located at Tom Lawlor Park, approximately 0.5 km from the village. The grounds consist of one floodlight pitch and purpose built dressing rooms. The local community hall of Caragh is situated adjacent to the pitch which is also used for indoor training during winter. See also:Caragh GAA .HurlingThe local hurling club is
Éire Óg/Corrchoill . This club is an amalgamation of the two former clubs associated with the two villagesProsperous and Caragh. The club has new grounds for underage teams at Donore.FootballThe football team in Caragh is called Caragh Celtic F.C. and they play their home games at a pitch in Donore. The grounds are very basic with no formal club house or dressing rooms.
FishingThere is a fishing club in Caragh and they meet at the Liffey Bridge and on the Osberstown Road towards Sallins. There is also some recreational fishing on the Grand Canal.
HuntingA couple of times each year there is a cross country hunt which uses the land around the area of Caragh. They meet at Digby Bridge on the Grand Canal.
Notable people from Caragh
*
JJ Power - Irish Green Party member and unsuccessful candidate for election in Kildare South for the 2007 General Election [http://www.greenparty.ie/people/jj_power] .
*Sean Power - member ofFianna Fáil and TD for the constituency South Kildare [http://www.fiannafail.ie/person.phpx?pid=38&bid=38&rel=TD&aid=134] .See also
*
List of towns in the Republic of Ireland External links
* [http://www.caragh.net Caragh Village]
* [http://kildare.ie/Heritage/lewis-topographical-dictionary/caragh.asp History of Caragh]
* [http://www.iwai.ie/maps/grand/maps.grand.5.html Grand Canal at Caragh]
* [http://www.catholicireland.net/parishes/parishdetails.php?ID=943 Caragh Parish Information]
* [http://www.mondello.ie Mondello Racing Circuit]
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