Irishtown, County Mayo

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Irishtown
Irish: Baile Gaelach
County Mayo
The main street of Irishtown (geograph 4081220).jpg
Main street of Irishtown
Location
Grid reference: M413685
Location: 53°39’46"N, 8°53’20"W
Data
Local Government
Council: Mayo

Irishtown is a village in County Mayo, on the county's southern border with County Galway about halfway between Claremorris and Tuam on the R328 regional road. It is sometimes referred to as 'The Cradle of the Land League' due to its connections with the founding of the Irish National Land League.[1]

Land League

Local tenant farmers were threatened with eviction from their holdings on the estate of the local parish priest, Canon Geoffrey Burke, and in response a meeting took place on 20 April 1879 that brought about a reversal of the potential evictions as well as a 20 percent reduction in rent. The meeting was the genesis of what would later that year become the Land League.[2]

Amenities and sport

There are several facilities situated in the village, including the national school (first founded in 1897), community centre, church, corner shop, one pub, playground and playing fields.

Gaelic football is the predominant sport in the area. In 1973, Irishtown and its neighbouring village, Ballindine, amalgamated to form Davitt's GAA club.

References