Multyfarnham

Multyfarnham Muilte Farannáin
—  Village  —
Multyfarnham Friary and Church
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°38′07″N 7°44′21″W / 53.6354°N 7.7391°W / 53.6354; -7.7391Coordinates: 53°38′07″N 7°44′21″W / 53.6354°N 7.7391°W / 53.6354; -7.7391
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	County Westmeath
Government
- Dáil Éireann	Westmeath
- EU Parliament	East
Population (2006)
- Rural	193
Irish Grid Reference

Multyfarnham parish church

Multyfarnham or Multyfarnam (Irish: Muilte Farannáin, meaning "Farannán's mills") is a village in County Westmeath, Ireland.

History

The Irish Franciscan friars (O.F.M.) still maintain a presence in the ancient monastery here which was founded in 1268. During the English conquest of Ireland it was raided six times and twice burnt out by the Crown forces battling the forces of the 'Irish of Meath'. During the wars of the 1640s it became an organisational centre for the enormously powerful and influential Franciscans in Ireland, who met there in their provincial assembly at the outbreak of the 1641 rebellion.^[1] In 1646, there were 30 friars in residence here. By the middle of era of the Penal Laws there were as few as seven friars, five of whom were of advanced age. The church was unroofed from 1651 and remained so until to 1827. In 1839 a new friary was rebuilt in the grounds. The Franciscan College, Multyfarnham was opened in 1899. There were four pupils enrolled for the first year. This school later became an recognised Agricultural College in 1956, and continued to teach until 2003.

Around the picturesque monastery grounds, among the lawns, around the church and the college buildings, there are 14 elaborate life size Stations of the Cross. This is a focal point for special devotions. It is regarded as one of the finest outdoor shrines in Ireland, and draws many tourists. The college is now used as an educational and seminar centre. It also hosts an arts centre.

Tidy Towns

Multyfarnham was a winner of the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1977.

Sport

• Multyfarnham Gaelic Athletic Association Gaelic football club is situated in the village also. They play in the Westmeath Junior Football Championship and the All County League Division 3.Captain of the 2011 season is David Nolan. Manager is Colin Murtagh.
• Horse-riding facilities are also available nearby.
• The town has easy access to the shores of Lough Derravaragh, and the associated resources, such as, hill walking, boating, and fishing, with authorised permits.

Transport

The closed Multyfarnham railway station: now a private dwelling

• Multyfarnham railway station opened on 8 November 1855 and finally closed on 17 June 1963.^[2]

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References

1. ^ Franciscan Assembly, Multyfarnham, October 1641
2. ^ "Multyfarnham station". Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-19. 

External links

• Franciscan Friars Ireland website
• Multifarnham on Eastcoastmidlands web-page
• The Tidy Towns of Ireland "Celebrating 50 years"