Loughrea

Infobox Irish Place
name = Loughrea
gaeilge = Baile Locha Riach
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 132px; top: 68px
north coord = 53.1969 | west coord = 8.5669 | irish grid = M621163
area = | elevation = 115 m
province = Connacht
county = County Galway
town pop = 4,004 | rural pop = 832
census yr = 2002
web = www.loughrea.ie
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Loughrea ("Baile Locha Riach" in Irish) is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The town has a range of wooded hills, the Sliabh Aughty, along its southern boundary.

The population of the town and its immediate hinterland is in the region of 4500, and is undergoing a period of expansion, as it increasingly becomes a commuter town for the city of Galway.Fact|date=September 2008

Name

The town takes its name from "Loch Riach" (Irish for "the grey lake") on which it lies. It is also suggested that the lake's name derives from "Loch Riabhach" - meaning "speckled lake". (The term 'riabhach/speckled' is used as the name for the local Irish-language multi-faith primary school: Gaelscoil Riabhach. [ [http://www.gaelscoilriabhach.ie GaelscoilRiabhach.ie - Loughrea's Multi-faith Gaelscoil] ] )

Economy

Loughrea was traditionally a farming town that cut its industrial teeth with Tynagh Mines, 6 km to the east. Tynagh was for 15 years (1960-1975) the most important zinc and silver mine in Ireland.Fact|date=September 2008 As well as being a dormer town for Galway, Loughrea now hosts a number of pharmaceutical and data-processing industries. Tourism and small cottage industries also play an important role in the community.Fact|date=September 2008 Loughrea's tourist infrastructure is supported by several hotels, a country-resort, as well as many bed and breakfasts, restaurants, coffee-shops and pubs.

Places of interest

The Turoe stone in nearby Bullaun (8km north) is perhaps the most important Celtic monument in the area and the Cathedral of St. Brendan on the lakeshore, in the town centre, is considered an important repository of Celtic-revival art and architecture in Ireland.Fact|date=September 2008 Spring-fed, Loughrea Lake overlooked by Knockash is popular for trout, pike and perch fishing.Fact|date=September 2008 It is also an important bird sanctuaryFact|date=September 2008 as well as being popular for water-sports and swimming. Immediately behind the Loughrea boathouse are the remains of an old crannog. The Loughrea dwellers of another time would have sought protection from raiders by living in comparative security provided by the lake.

Transport

Loughrea was historically served by the Midland Great Western Railway and a railway branch from Attymon Junction, [ [http://www.industrialheritageireland.info/railways/loughrea/index.htm Photographs of Attymon Junction to Loughrea railway trackbed] ] until 1975. This line was Ireland's last operational rural railway branch line, having outlasted most other country railway lines of this type by 10 - 20 years, and even surviving to have diesel trains used on it. The link road from the proposed Ballinasloe - Galway dual carriageway to Loughrea will remove most of the remains of the original trackbed. Loughrea railway station opened on 1 December 1890 and finally closed on 3 November 1975. [cite web | title=Loughrea station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-11-03]

Sport and culture

Loughrea GAA Club were 2006 Galway Hurling and 2006 Connacht Hurling champions. They also reached the 2007 All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship final, but lost out to Ballyhale Shamrocks. Loughrea has a Rugby club, Loughrea Rugby Club, an 18-hole golf course and an Athletic Club. Each year, In October, the town plays host to the BAFFLE International Poetry Slam. Loughrea also boasts a Musical and Dramatic Society, Historical society, and an active community association. In the 2006 National Glór na nGael awards for "Irish language in local communities", Loughrea's "Glór committee" was awarded first prize. Glór has an umbrella committee which involves local organisations in the promotion of Irish.Fact|date=September 2008

Notable people

The town is the birthplace of Anthony Dominic Fahy (1805-1871), Catholic priest and head of the Irish community in Argentina between 1844 to 1871.

See also

* List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Galway)
* List of towns and villages in Ireland
* Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair
* Marquis de St Ruth

References

External links

* [http://www.loughrea.ie Loughrea.ie - Galway County Council website for Loughrea]