Bunclody

During the 17th century, the name of the town was changed from Bunclody to Newtownbarry, but was reverted to its original name in the 20th century, following Irish independence. The change was made official by a local government order in 1950.[4]

Although a hamlet already existed here, Bunclody was raised to the status of a post town in 1577 by alderman James Barry, sheriff of Dublin.[5][6]

The town was the scene of the Battle of Bunclody during the 1798 rebellion.

In the 19th century, a small canal was made, drawing water from the Clody river, to provide drinking water for the town.[7] The canal still flows along the middle of the town's main street. During the Tithe War, 1830–1836, 'Newtownbarry' was the scene of a clash between locals and the officials of the Crown. Locals had become enraged by the seizure of property by the police and army to pay for the Protestant Episcopal polity. According to James Connolly, "twelve peasants were shot and twenty fatally wounded".[8]

In 1884, a metal bridge was built across the River Slaney upstream from today's bridge. It was built of iron from New Ross, and assembled in the bridge meadow beside where the bridge stood. This bridge was washed away in 1965 by a flood. The remains of the bridge were visible from the bank of the river for some years, until it was removed in 2007, during the building of Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club beside the River Slaney.

Among the amenities of the town there are number of GAA and soccer pitches, an outdoor swimming pool (open 2½ months of the year), an aparta-hotel, and two primary and two post-primary schools and an Adult Education & Training Centre.

Bunclody-Carrickduff is a census town split between County Carlow and County Wexford. It comprises the town of Bunclody and the adjoining village of Carrigduff, and had a population of 1,984 at the 2016 census.[1] An increase from 1,863 as of the 2006 census.[9]

Demographically, a number of nationalities are represented, with approximately 13% of its population being Polish,[10] and approximately 11% Irish Traveller.[11]

The town has two primary schools: Bunclody National School and Carrigduff National School. There are two secondary schools. The FCJ Secondary School, and Bunclody Vocational College. The FCJ was founded by a French order of nuns in 1861. The school was a boarding school for girls throughout the 20th century. The all girls school provided education for day pupils and accepted male day pupils from the late 1960s when the school became co-ed. The old boarding school was demolished in 2002. The school has several football, hurling and basketball teams, which compete at a national level.

As a market town, Bunclody featured in the Irish Pavilion in the 2018 Venice Architectural Biennale alongside 9 other Irish market towns. There is an "Urban Adventure Hub" at Ryland Road which allows access to water sports on the River Slaney. This project is managed by WWETB Slielbaggan Outdoor Activity Centre. There are a number of walking trails along the Clodey Valley and off-road trails at Coolmeelagh and Kilbranish. It is also the starting point for the Columban Way from Bunclody, County Wexford to Bangor, County Down and on through mainland Europe to Bobio in Italy following the life journey of St. Columbanus, born circa 540 AD near the Nine Stones.[12] Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club, voted by the Golfer's Guide to Ireland as the 'Best Hidden Gem in Ireland', hosted the Irish PGA in August 2019. [13]

Bunclody Golf and Fishing Club was officially opened in early 2009. The course is on the Carlow side of the town. The 18 hole course is set on 300 acres (1.2 km²) beside the river Slaney, and is home to Ireland's first on-course elevator, which links the 17th green to the 18th tee.

The great spotted woodpecker, Ireland's newest breeding bird, has been spotted here since 2013.[19]

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