Clonmore, County Carlow

Clonmore Irish: Cluain Mhór
County Carlow
Clonmore Castle, County Carlow
Location
Grid reference:	S965757
Location:	52°49’29"N, 6°34’8"W
Data
Population:	461  (2002)
Local Government

Clonmore is a village in County Carlow, located three and a half miles south of Hacketstown and nine miles east of Tullow in the north-east corner of the county.

The name of the place is from the Irish Cluain Mhór, meaning 'Large meadow'.

History

Clonmore was named after St Mogue who, around the year 530, established a religious community and built a monastery at the location.

The significant feature of the village is Clonmore Castle, this castle was not mentioned until the 14th century, but the shape of the trefoil window in the south wall shows that it was built probably towards the end of the 13th century. The castle is nearly square in plan with rectangular towers at the southern sides of the courtyard. Clonmore was captured in 1516 by the Earl of Kildare and in 1598 by the Earl of Ormond. It changed hands several times and was finally taken by Oliver Cromwell's forces under Colonel Hewson in 1650.

Today much of the castle has been dismantled for construction of local amenities such as the neighbouring hall and former schoolhouse.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Clonmore, County Carlow)

References

• Article: The Riches of Clonmore: Eddie McDonald