Ardrahan

Infobox Irish Place
name = Ardrahan
gaeilge = Ard Raithin
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 116px; top: 73px
north coord = 53.1575 | west coord = 8.8058 | irish grid = M461121
area = | elevation = 29 m
province = Connacht
county = County Galway
town pop = - | rural pop = 375
census yr = 2002
web = |

Ardrahan (Irish place name|Ard Raithin|high ringfort) is a village in County Galway, Ireland.

History

Richard de Brugo conquered Galway in 1236, and granted the land to Maurice Fitzgerald who built the castle whose ruins still stand today. The churchyard wall contains the remains of a round tower, which suggests that a monastic community may have existed on the site before the castle was built. [Discover Ireland. [http://www.discoverireland.ie/DI/resultsengine/Location.aspx?LocationID=1027&CountyID=23] Retrieved June 17, 2008.]

Places of interest

The most noteworthy attraction in Ardrahan is Tullira Castle, once owned by playwright and independence activist Edward Martyn. Tullira Castle is private property.

Transport

Ardrahan is on the N18 road.

Ardrahan railway station opened on 15 September 1869, was closed to passenger traffic on 5 April 1976 and finally closed on 11 June 1983. [cite web | title=Ardrahan station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-08] A new railway station will open in early 2009 as part of phase one of the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Athenry.

Education

There are three schools in Ardrahan Labane N.S, Ballyglass N.S and Killternan N.S.

GAA

Ardahan hurling club won its first Galway Senior Hurling Club Championship title in 1894 and since then has won it on 11 occasions, having contested 18 County Finals in its history. It lies second on the role of honour, only to Castlegar who have won 16 titles. The last title was won after a replay in 1978, against rival neighbours Ballindereen.

Other significant hauls include the U21 crown in 1977, the U21 B in 2001, and two county minor titles in 1975, and 1978.

In 2007 the under-14 team reached the feile final, losing out by the narrowest of margins after a replay. They won the league title in 2007 as well.

Current chairman is Ollie Curtin, Secretary Adrian Sylver, Treasurer Gabriel Gardiner, Juvenile Chairman Gerry Glynn, Juvenile Secretary Teresa Gardiner, Delegate to hurling board Bernard Callanan, Delegate to juvenile board Barry Finnegan.

Information on the club can be viewed on www.ardrahangaa.com

Ardrahan also have a very successful Camogie club. In 2006 the U14 girls won the Feile Final and went on to represent Galway in Cork at All-Ireland stage. They got to the All-Ireland Semi-Final but sadly lost. Again in 2007 the girls got to the County Final but unfortunately lost out on the day to a beter Sarsfields team who then went on to win the All-Ireland Feile title. Now again in 2008 Ardrahan are in another Semi-Final on May 5th. Best of luck to them that day!!1

Apperarance

Ardrahan is mentioned in William H. Hodgsons book "The House on the Borderland" as a nearest greater village to a small village called Kraighten, near which the authors diary has been found.

ee also

* List of towns in Ireland

External links

* [http://www.discoverireland.ie/DI/resultsengine/Location.aspx?LocationID=1027&CountyID=23 Ardrahan] at Discover Ireland

References