Castleconnell
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Infobox settlement
Castleconnell (Template:Irish place name, historically Caisleán Uí Chonaing)<ref name=logainm>Template:Cite web</ref> is a town in County Limerick on the banks of the River Shannon. It is Template:Convert from Limerick city and near the boundaries of County Clare and County Tipperary.
History
The ruins of the Castle of Connell (Template:Langx or originally Template:Lang),<ref name=logainm/> from which the name of the town derives, was built on a rock outcrop overlooking the bend of the river. It was destroyed in a siege by the army of General Ginkel, fighting in support of the Williamite Army of William of Orange at the end of the 17th century. A large chunk of the castle wall now lies approximately fifty feet from the castle, thrown clear by siege cannons. A footbridge over the Shannon – built during The Emergency (1939–45) by the Irish Army under Captain Carley Owens – connects counties Limerick and Clare.Template:Fact
The nearby Mountshannon House was the home of John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare, who in the late 18th century was the Attorney-General for Ireland and subsequently Lord Chancellor of Ireland. FitzGibbon was opposed to relaxation of the penal laws and helped usher in the Acts of Union 1800, which resulted in the Irish parliament's abolition. The house where his descendants lived was burnt to the ground by the IRA in the 1920s.Template:Fact
A number of 18th- and 19th-century buildings overlook the Shannon in Castleconnell.<ref name="LAP">Template:Cite web</ref> One of these, the former schoolhouse (built in 1867),<ref name="LAP"/> was previously home to the Irish Harp Centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Another, the former convent (built Template:Circa),<ref name="LAP"/> is now the Castleoaks House Hotel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fishing
Castleconnell is known for its fishing – both coarse and game – and has been a fishing destination since at least the 19th century.Template:Citation needed The main catch was salmon and trout. The Shannon Inn, a local pub, has hosted fishing clientele over the years.Template:Citation needed
The Shannon Electricity Scheme and its Ardnacrusha dam at Parteen changed the fortunes of the Castleconnell in the 1930s when it reduced the flow of water south of the dam to approximately one sixth, dropping water levels along the Shannon.
The engineers added a fish lift to the dam, allowing fish to be lifted in a water-filled container and thereby pass upstream to their traditional spawning beds. The river at Castleconnell is also known for its bird life, and particularly its swans, many of which are migratory Icelandic whooper swans wintering and breeding on the river.Template:Citation needed
Sport
Gaelic games
Castleconnell is the home of Ahane GAA club, which has won 19 Limerick Senior Hurling Championships between 1931 and 1948 and provided many of the Limerick hurling team that won All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships in 1934, 1936 and 1940. Among its most notable players were Mick Mackey and Jackie Power.Template:Citation needed
Boxing
Boxer Andy Lee was raised in Castleconnell from the age of 14. He became World WBO Middleweight champion in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Rowing
Castleconnell boat club has been in existence since 1983. It is located at World's End (also known as Worral's End).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rowers have a smooth, wide water to row on for Template:Convert to O'Brien's Bridge. Just beyond the bridge, rowers have another 1.5 kilometers before they come to a water flow regulator.Template:Citation needed
Transport
Castleconnell railway station opened on 8 August 1858.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The station lies on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line.
Administration
Castleconnell was previously under the jurisdiction of Limerick County Council. Since 2014, it is part of the amalgamated local authority of Limerick City and County Council, where it is in the local electoral area of Limerick City East, which is part of the Metropolitan District of Limerick City.<ref>Template:Cite ISB</ref> It is classified as a town under the Limerick Development Plan adopted by Limerick City and County Council in 2022.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Notable residents
- Ciarán Barry (b. 1999), hurlerTemplate:Fact
- John Gilhooly (b. 1973), arts administrator<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Bulmer Hobson (1883–1969), Irish republican who died in Castleconnell.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Andy Lee (b. 1984), boxer who was born in England but raised in Castleconnell.<ref name="Future Star">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Dan Morrissey (b. 1993), hurlerTemplate:Citation needed
- Tom Morrissey (b. 1996), hurlerTemplate:Citation needed
- Pat Shortt (b. 1967), comedian and actor, who had a house in the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
References
External links
Template:County Limerick Template:Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe Template:Authority control