Currow
| Currow Irish: An Currach / Corra | |
| County Kerry | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | Q972043 |
| Location: | 52°10’56"N, 9°29’51"W |
| Data | |
| Dialling code: | 066 |
| Local Government | |
| Dáil constituency: |
Kerry |
Currow is a rural village in County Kerry , seven and a half miles from Killarney and eleven miles from Tralee. Currow is situated on the Brown Flesk River, a tributary of the River Maine.
The village has areas of peat land, particularly to the south, where a blanket bog is located on the border with Kilcummin parish. Currow is mainly a residential area with close links to Castleisland. The main industry is agriculture.
History
The original village grew up on both sides of the roadway to the north of Flesk Bridge, between two old estates, Dicksgrove and Parkmore, which have influenced the architectural character. The Meredith Family were the landlords of the area, residing in the old Parkmore estate. The first influence of the British came from the Herbert Family during the plantations. Unlike some nearby villages and towns, the village did not see major development during the 'Celtic Tiger' years.
Con Houlihan, a columnist with the Sunday World, once wrote how he considered Currow as his 'own favourite' village in Ireland. Although he is undecided whether Currow is a village or a hamlet. He also declared he would someday 'apply to be made a Freeman of Currow'.[1]
About the village
Currow Wildlife Park, a pond and wildlife sanctuary, has been created to the east of the village. Work included the raising of water levels and landscaping. The area is now home to several species such as the moorhen, mute swan and mallard.
Currow is on the Brown Flesk River (An Fhleisc Rua), a tributary of the River Maine, a salmon river.
The Metal Bridge was built in the early 1930s by Con Singleton from Gneeveguilla in the townland of Ballybeg, located east towards Kilsarcon. The Metal Bridge is a crossing point along the Brown Flesk River. All work was done by pick and shovel and the bridge was made from concrete on dry land. A new channel was then dug out which diverted the waters. The name 'The Metal Bridge' is a slight digression, which actually comes from the previous footbridge that existed, built of iron during the famine years: any bigger traffic had to cross the water near the ford where it was shallow. The road to the ford is called Bóthar na Míne or Road of Meal, because the men who built it were paid in meal rather than money.
Reidy Bridge is located in the village, beside Dicksgrove Gate Lodge. It was named after the parish priest who served in Currow at the time of construction in 1941. It was a replacement for the bridge that swept away in the 1941 flood. It has three arches, replicating the old bridge. The river only flows through two of the arches. The third is for times of flood.
Meredith Estate
The Herberts were the first British family to settle in Currow during the plantations. The Merediths came to Currow in 1635 and bought some of the Herbert Estate. They were originally silversmiths. They built a stately home close to the village, now named after Richard Meredith, Dicksgrove, much of which still remains today, particularly the main house, gate lodges,[2] and the estate walls which now run along a section of the R561. The Meredith mansion was burned out in 1932. In 1935 the Land Commission took over the estate lands. Currow GAA grounds are now located on the estate grounds.
Sport and culture
- Gaelic games: Currow GAA
- Basketball: St Bridget's Basketball Club
- Community Games
- Cycling: Currow Cycling Club
- Currow Gun Club
The village is located in a cultural area known as Sliabh Luachra. This area is known for its style of traditional Irish music.
Outside links
References
- ↑ Houlihan, C. (1998). Con - Now Read On. In: Dennehy, C Currow and Currans Anois is Aris. Shanagolden Limerick: Fitzsimons Printers. pp 95.
- ↑ "Gate Lodge, Dicksgrove, Dicksgrove, Kerry". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21304805/dicksgrove-dicksgrove-kerry. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- Corra / Currow: Placenames Database of Ireland