- Roscommon
Infobox Irish Place
name = Roscommon
gaeilge = Ros Comáin
crest
motto = Constans Hiberniae Cor
map
pin coords = left: 60px; top: 70px
north coord = 53.6333
west coord = 8.1833
irish grid = M879648
area = 2463 km²
elevation = 80 m
province =Connacht
county =County Roscommon
town pop = 4,489
rural pop = 4,168
census yr = 2006
web = |Roscommon ( _ga. Ros Comáin) is the county seat of
County Roscommon in Ireland.History
The name Roscommon is derived from
Saint Coman , who built a monastery there in the fifth century. The woods near the monastery became known as Saint Coman's Wood, or Ros Comáin in Irish. This was later anglicised to Roscommon.This attractive and busy
market town once had a hangwoman called Lady Betty, as well as a DominicanFriary , founded in1253 by Felim O'Connor, King ofConnacht (see abbeys and priories in Ireland).Roscommon Castle , built in 1269, is an Anglo-Norman fortress. Roscommon is situated 145 km (90 mi) west ofDublin and 75 km (47 mi) east ofGalway and 32 km (20 mi) west ofAthlone .Amenities
Roscommon Golf Club was founded in 1904, the course, set in parklands filled with mature sycamore, beech, whitethorn trees and ash trees, was extended to eighteen holes in 1996 and now measures 6,390 metres (6,900 yards). [cite web | title= Roscommon Golf Course | work=GolfMaster | url=http://www.golfmaster.ie/showdetail.asp?type=crs&id=265 | accessdate=18/09/07] Dr
Douglas Hyde park Roscommon with a capacity of 30,000 is an importantGAA venue in Ireland and is home to the county footballers and Roscommon Gaels club. A horse racing course is situated approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the town centre, the track itself is an oblong right-handed track 2 km (1.25 mi) in length, the course has stabling for up to 95 horses. Roscommon has a leisure centre which opened early 2002 and has a 25m deck level pool with a learner swimming pool and spectator gallery and fully equipped gymnasium, situated next to the swimming pool is St Comans handball club established in 1930 which has produced many All-Ireland winning handballers. Moate park approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the town centre is a woodland area covering several miles and is popular with walkers.Transport
Roscommon railway station opened on13 February 1860 . [cite web | title=Roscommon station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-2007] Roscommon is situated near the major road networks in Ireland.Bus Eireann runs regular bus services to other major towns which can be taken from Roscommon square.ee also
*
List of towns in the Republic of Ireland
*Market Houses in the Republic of Ireland
*Lord Roscommon External links
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13190a.htm Roscommon] -
Catholic Encyclopedia article
* [http://www.bandsinireland.com Roscommon Bands]References
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