Rosscarbery

Rosscarbery ( _ga. Ros Ó gCairbre) is a town in County Cork, Ireland. The town is situated on a shallow estuary, which opens onto Rosscarbery Bay.

History

Historically, Rosscarbery was home to the School of Ross, a major centre of learning, at one time being a university town, and one of the major cities in Europe, around the 6th century.

Demographics

The town itself has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent times, despite the lack of any major industry in the area, and being just outside the commuter belt for the city of Cork. The majority of new housing is holiday accommodation, which results in an annual swell in population during summer months. According to the 2006 census, the population of the town is 936.

Places of interest

Cathedral

Today, there is still a cathedral in the town, an unusual feature for what now would be considered a sleepy country town. It is a Church of Ireland cathedral - St. Fachtna's Cathedral. The Church of Ireland's dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross were effectively merged during rationalisation in the 1860s. The bishop of this tridiocese, Paul Colton, spends almost all his time in Cork. St Fachtna's is the smallest cathedral in Ireland. It is the size of a typical parish church.

Beaches

Rosscarbery is a popular tourist destination in the summertime, being in proximity to at least three fine beaches. The nearest of these, the "Warren Beach", is about a mile from the village, and is designated a blue flag beach, along with the nearby Owenahincha beach. The Warren Beach has experienced extensive coastal erosion in recent times, but remedial works have been undertaken throughout 2004/2005. Rosscarbery Pitch & Putt Club is located at the beach.

Antiquities

*Bohonagh is a recumbent stone circle located 2.4km east of Rosscarbery. The circle of 12 stones is thought to date from the Bronze Age. A boulder burial is sited nearby. [cite book | last=Weir, A| year=1980 |title=Early Ireland. A Field Guide | publisher=Blackstaff Press | location=Belfast | pages=p113] (grid ref: 308 368, Latitude: 51.580102N Longitude: 8.998987W [cite web | title=Bohonagh | work=The Megalithic Portal | url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=685 | accessdate=2008-06-11] )

People

It is the birthplace of one of the greatest leaders of the Irish War of Independence, Tom Barry, and one of the leaders of the Irish Fenian movement, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa. There is a house which was putatively his. There is some dispute as to whether 'General' Barry was born in the town. Meda Ryan's biography - the standard reference text on him - states that he was born in Kerry to Cork parents. What is not in dispute is that he spent his formative years in Rosscarbery. A house near the town centre bears a plaque stating that Tom Barry resided there. Barry in his memoirs recalls riding a cow through the main street of the town to amuse other boys. His father beat him for this. This is the only mention Barry makes of his family in his "Guerrilla Days in Ireland".

Transport and communications

*The town is located along the N71 road through West Cork. Clonakilty is nearby, further along the road to Cork city, a distance of forty miles.
*Nearest airport: Cork Airport

port

*The town has a strong tradition of GAA, its local team being Carbery Rangers, founded in 1887. For years, Carbery Rangers had limited success - being beaten by Ilen Rovers in Junior West Cork Finals. However, in November 2003, Carbery Rangers won their first ever football County Junior A title, and subsequently a Junior Munster, Intermediate County, Munster, and All-Ireland titles. The club has since graduated to the senior ranks.
*Rosscarbery Rowing Club competes at regattas in West Cork and at the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Championships each August.

ee also

* List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland (County Cork)
*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.rosscarbery.ie Rosscarbery website]
* [http://www.westcorktravel.com/Towns/Rosscarbery.htm Rosscarbery History]