Annaclone
| Annaclone Irish: Eanach Luain | |
| County Down | |
|---|---|
 St Colman's Church, Annaclone, in 2007 | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°10’49"N, 6°6’54"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 150 (2001) |
| Post town: | Banbridge |
| Postcode: | BT32 |
| Local Government | |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South Down |
Annaclone is a small village and parish between Rathfriland and Banbridge in south County Down. The village is situated in the townlands of Ardbrin and Tullintanvally and both it and the parish are located in the barony of Iveagh Upper, Upper Half.[1] It had a population of 150 people (61 households) in the 2011 Census.[2] The name is from the Irish Eanach Luain, meaning "marsh of the haunch-like hill".
The geography of Annaclone is typical of much of the area around the Mourne Mountains with rolling drumlins and farmland. Corbet Lough is a particular place of interest for anglers while the highest point of the parish, locally known as 'the Knock' offers panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains towards the south and Slieve Croob towards the north east. There is also an ancient cairn on the summit.
History
The marsh in the Ardbrin area of Annaclone is of particular historical interest and several Celtic artefacts were found in it, including a horn known as the 'Ardbrin Horn' which now resides in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. Historically the area belonged to the Magennis clan, whose castle, no longer standing, was situated in nearby Rathfriland. Indeed, the aforementioned Celtic artefacts found in the parish cement its link with the ancient clan.
People
- Patrick Brontë, father of Charlotte Brontë and Emily Brontë, was born in the parish in 1777 and also taught in a school in the parish.[3] As a result, the area of southern Annaclone is known as 'The Bronte Homeland'. Although Patrick Brontë's house is now in ruins, the nearby Bronte Interpretative Centre maintains the link between the family and the area.
- Catherine O'Hare, the first European woman to cross the Canadian Rockies was born around 1835 in the townland of Ballybrick, Annaclone.
Sport
- The parish has a strong GAA club, Annaclone GAC (Gaelic Athletic Club). Founded in 1897 it is the second oldest club of its kind in the county after Leitrim Fontenoys.
- Annaclone also plays host to a stage of the Circuit of Ireland Rally as well as many cycling events throughout the year.
Townlands
The parish contains the following townlands:
References
- ↑ "Annaclone". http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=35620. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ "Annaclone". NI Statistics and Research Agency. http://www.nisra.gov.uk/census/2011/results/settlements.html. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ McNeill, Leo. "Parish of Annaclone". http://lisburn.com/books/dromore-diocese/parish-annaclone.html. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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