Urlingford

Urlingford (Irish: Áth na nUrlainn, meaning "Ford of the slaughter"[2]) is a town, as well as a civil parish within the barony of Galmoy.[3] It is located in the north west of County Kilkenny, along the boundary with County Tipperary, in Leinster, Ireland.

Urlingford

Irish: Áth na nUrlainn
Town
The Mason's Apron, Urlingford
Urlingford
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°43′13″N 7°34′57″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Kilkenny
Elevation
120 m (390 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Urban
973
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceS282633

Access

The town lies on the R639. The M8 motorway runs just west of the town, from which both Urlingford and nearby Johnstown are accessed via junction four. Urlingford is a bus hub, with major operator JJ Kavanagh and Sons based there.[4] Situated 125 km (78 mi) from Dublin and 129 km (80 mi) from Cork, Urlingford has long been a resting point for travellers halfway between the Republic of Ireland's two largest cities. As a result, until September 2013 the Bus Éireann Dublin to Cork bus service called here. It is now replaced by route 828 which connects with express buses at Portlaoise and Cashel.[5]

Toponymy

The Irish name Áth na nUrlainn means "ford of the slaughter" and has been anglicised as Aghnenurlin, Aghnenoorlin, Awnanoorlin and similar.[2]

History

In 1526, Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond, gave possession of the lands of Urlingford to John Tobin and Nicolas Mothing (chaplins).[11] The earlier settlement was focused around the castle, church and graveyard.[12]

The town had an organised planned growth with traditional plot patterns.[12] It was built over a cut-over bog, an extension to the Templetuohy Bog,[12] much of which has been reclaimed.[13] Urlingford is a linear town around the focused primary axis, the Main Street.[12] In 1837 it was the centre of manufacture of coarse stuffs, flannels, and worsteds, and carries on an extensive retail trade with the surrounding districts.[14]

The town was recorded on Griffith's Valuation in 1864.[15] Urlingford has taken part in the Tidy Towns Competition.[16]

Geography
Aerial view of Urlingford

Rivers

A minor tributary of the River Nore, the River Goul, enters the town from the southeast.[12] It sources 6 kilometers away from the town in the Slieveardagh hills. The river passes under the Main Street and towards the bridge at Urlingford Castle (and mill).[12]

Buildings

There is a library in Urlingford[17] which is based in the old courthouse.[18] Urlingford Castle and mill are located in Urlingford.[12]

Sport

Emeralds GAA is a junior Gaelic Athletic Association club, founded in 1972.

See also

References
  1. (CSO, Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area)
  2. (Fiontar 2008, Áth na nUrlainn/Urlingford)
  3. Down Survey Project. "Map of Urlingford Parish in the barony of Galmoy". downsurvey.tcd.ie. The Down Survey Project.
  4. JJ Kavanagh Bus Company
  5. http://buseireann.ie/news.php?id=1361&month=Sep
  6. (OHPR, p. 8, Comparative abstract, Ireland, 1831) and (OHPR, p. 40, Abstract, Ireland, 1831)
  7. (OHPR, p. 56, Report, Ireland, 1841)
  8. (OHPR, p. 93, County of Kilkenny, 1851)
  9. (CSO, 1936 Population Data)
  10. (CSO, 1946 Population Data)
  11. (Carrigan 1905, p. 23, Existing Civil Divisions or Baronies)
  12. (KCC)
  13. (Tighe 1802, p. 4, Bog, Mountain)
  14. Lewis 1837, URLINGFORD Parish
  15. (Griffith 1864, Urlingford Search)
  16. "Tidy Towns Competition 2015 Adjudication Report" (PDF).
  17. KCC, Kilkenny County Council. "Kilkenny County Library Service". kilkenny.ie.
  18. Buildings of Ireland. "Urlingford Public Library (Urlingford Courthouse), Urlingford, County Kilkenny". buildingsofireland.ie.

Sources
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