Dunmore, County Galway
| Dunmore Irish: Dún Mór | |
| County Galway | |
|---|---|
 Castle Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | M515632 |
| Location: | 53°37’0"N, 8°43’60"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 594 (2002) |
| Post town: | Dunmore |
| Postcode: | H54 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Tuam MD |
Dunmore is a village in County Galway, located on the N83 national secondary road at its junction with the R328 and R360 regional roads.
The town was once part of a district called Conmaicne, also known as Conmaicne Dúna Móir. It was also known as Conmaicne Cenél Dubáin, after its ruling kindred.
The area came under the rule of the Uí Conchobair in the 12th century, and was for a while the capital of the king of Connaught, Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, who died there in 1156.
Until the early 1980s, the N83 through Dunmore was on the main road from Sligo to Galway. Improvements to the N17 route through Knock and Claremorris reduced the amount of traffic on the N83.
Dunmore Castle
The imposing ruins of Dunmore castle tower above the rolling fields of north Galway. Situated on a small hillock, the first castle at this site was built by the Anglo-Norman de-Birmingham family in the early 13th century. Designed as a bulwark against the native Irish, the castle was soon called into service. In 1249 Dunmore was attacked and burned by the O'Connors, while in 1284 it was besieged by the forces of Fichra O'Flynn. In 1315 it was once more the scene of conflict when an army, led by Rory Connor, attacked and damaged the fortress.
Sport
- Dunmore McHales is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.
- Dunmore AFC was founded in 1979 and has teams at all levels. Some of the underage teams play in the Roscommon League.
- Dunmore RFC was founded in 1977.
- Dunmore Demesne Golf Club was founded in 1998[1]
Notable people
- Michael J. Kennedy (1900–1978), melodeon player
- Michael Donnellan (1900–1964), politician
- Gideon Ouseley (1762–1839), evangelical preacher
- Henry Mossop (1729–1773), actor
- Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair (1088–1156), King of Ireland
Annalistic references
- AI1095.10 Ua hEgra, king of Luigne, was slain by the Cenél Dubáin; and Luigne and western Connachta were vacated and [their inhabitants] came into Mumu.
References
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Dunmore, County Galway) |
Outside links
- http://www.patcomer.ie/ Some photographs of Dunmore included in the website
- http://www.dunmorecs.ie/
- On the History and Antiquities of the Parish of Dunmore by Rev. J. Neary