- Headford
Infobox Irish Place
name = Headford
gaeilge = Áth Cinn
crest
motto = | Áth Cinn le Chéile
map
pin coords = left: 96px; top: 37px
north coord = 53.469115
west coord = 9.106849
irish grid = M269468
area =
county =County Galway
population = 1,350
census yr = 2006
province =Connacht
web = www.headford.ie
|Headford ("Áth Cinn" in Irish) is a town in
County Galway , located 26 km north ofGalway city in the west of Ireland. The N84 national secondary route fromGalway toCastlebar passes through the town. TheR333 road travels from Headford to Tuam. There are many other 'boreens' and third-class roads on the outskirts of the town.History
In his
1837 Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Samuel Lewis recorded a population of 1,441. He described the town in some detail:This is a neat and clean town, having been much improved by its proprietor, R. J. Mansergh St. George, Esq.; it has a considerable trade, and commands fine views of Lough Corrib, and the mountains of Joyces' country and Mayo. It comprises 217 houses, is a chief constabulary police station, and has petty sessions on Mondays; here is also a dispensary. Bobbin lace, coarse linen, and flannel are made. The market is on Tuesday, and fairs are held on May 11th and Oct. 14th.
Headford Castle is the residence of R. J. M. St. George, Esq.; it is a handsome modern building, erected on the ruins of the ancient castle; the extensive demesne, which is laid out with great taste, is entered from the town by a good gateway. Here is also Clydagh House, the seat of G. Staunton Lynch, Esq.Headford today
The town is the popular angling centre for the eastern shore of
Lough Corrib , and Greenfields, some 6.5 km west of the town, is its boating harbour. The town is situated next to the Black River (noted also for its trout angling) which is the county boundary with Mayo. Headford is also the centre of an area rich in archaeological monuments, ranging from prehistoric burial cairns,Iron Age stone enclosures, early Norman and later castles, to a bewildering array of monastic sites. These include nearbyRoss Errilly Friary , founded in 1351, which has been described as the best preserved monastic ruin in Ireland. Today, the modern cattle mart, although replacing the fairs and markets once held in the town's two squares, ensures the local popularity of this North Galway town.Headford Sewage Scheme
Headford is currently undergoing a sewage scheme upgrade, worth €8 million, which will result in the addition of hundreds of new houses.
Twinning
The following places are twinned with Headford:
*.
*.Politics
The
polling station for all elections in Headford is Headford Girls Primary School.European elections
Headford is part of the North-West constituency for
European Parliament elections. Current MEPs areMarian Harkin , Jim Higgins,Seán Ó Neachtain .National elections
Headford is part of the Galway East constituency for elections to
Dáil Éireann . Current TDs are Ulick Burke,Paul Connaughton , Michael Kitt,Noel Treacy .Local elections
Headford is part of the Headford-Oranmore constituency for
Galway County Council elections.Local Councillor. Michael Carey. FG. Mary Hoade FF.
Education
Headford has a small library which is run by Edel Talbot, the town itself has one primary level school (officially two, though both have been effectively merged together) while there are another three primary schools within the parish and one second level school the Presentation College Headford which has a student population of 740 students,making it the largest secondary school in the whole western regon.
Religion
The Headford Parish has two churches, both of which are Catholic and were built by Fr. Peter Conway and dedicated to St. Mary. The Church at Claran was built in 1859 and for many years was the home of the Parish priest; the church in Headford was built in 1865 on lands donated by the then Landlord St. George. Father James O'Grady is parish priest of the Headford parish with Fr. Martin Newell (retired) administrating in Claran.
ee also
* List of towns and villages in Ireland
*Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam
*Ross Errilly Friary
*Presentation College Headford
*Shrule
*Tuam
*County Galway
*Galway City References
* [http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/h.php A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis] at Library Ireland
External links
* [http://www.headford.org/ Headford District Association]
* [http://headford.galway.gaa.ie/ Official Headford GAA Website]
* [http://www.headford.org/history.htm Headford History]
* [http://www.headford.galway-ireland.ie/attractions.htm Tourist attractions in Headford]
* [http://www.tuam-guide.com/headford.htm Tuam Guide - Headford, County Galway]
* [http://www.galway.ie/en/Services/Library/LibraryNetwork/Headford/ Headford Library Details]
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