View source for Castleconnell

{{short description|Town in County Limerick, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{use Hiberno-English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Castleconnell
|native_name            = {{lang|ga|Caisleán Uí Chonaill}}
|native_name_lang       = gle
|settlement_type        = Town
|image_skyline          = IMG Castleconnel3073.jpg
|image_caption          = Junction of Main Street and Station Road in Castleconnell
|pushpin_map            = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Munster]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[County Limerick]]
|established_title      = 
|established_date       = 
|unit_pref              = Metric
|area_footnotes         = 
|area_total_km2         = 
|population_as_of       = [[2016 census of Ireland|2016]]
|population_footnotes   = <ref name=cso2016>{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=86F69A35-2F1B-4CB4-8A1E-A93942B50CD0 | title = Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Settlements Castleconnell | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] | access-date = 5 April 2019}}</ref>
|population             = 2107
|population_urban       = 
|population_rural       = 
|population_density_km2 = auto
|coordinates            = {{coord|52.7143|-8.5016|dim:1000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    = 
|elevation_m            = 
|blank_name             = [[Irish grid reference system|Irish Grid Reference]]
|blank_info             = {{iem4ibx|R660627}}
|website                = 
|footnotes              = 
}}

'''Castleconnell''' ({{Irish place name|Caisleán Uí Chonaill}}, historically ''Caisleán Uí Chonaing'')<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/31374 | title = Caisleán Uí Chonaill/Castleconnell | work = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | publisher = [[Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]] and [[Dublin City University]] | access-date = 17 May 2020}}</ref> is a town in [[County Limerick]] on the banks of the [[River Shannon]]. It is {{convert|11|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Limerick]] city and near the boundaries of [[County Clare]] and [[County Tipperary]].

==History==
[[File:Mountshannon=house=portico.jpg|thumb|Facade of [[Mountshannon House]]]]
The ruins of the [[Castle Connell|Castle of Connell]] ({{langx|ga|Caisleán Uí Chonaill}} or originally {{lang|ga|Caisleán Uí Chonaing}}),<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 [[Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone|General Ginkel]], fighting in support of the [[Williamite]] Army of [[William III of England|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 (Ireland)|The Emergency]] (1939–45) by the Irish Army under Captain Carley Owens – connects counties Limerick and Clare.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

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 (Ireland)|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 [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|IRA]] in the 1920s.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

A number of 18th- and 19th-century buildings overlook the Shannon in Castleconnell.<ref name="LAP">{{cite web|url = https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2023-05/Castleconnell-Local-Area-Plan-2023-2029_0.pdf | publisher = Limerick City and County Council | website = limerick.ie | title = Castleconnell Local Area Plan 2023-2029 | date= 2023 | accessdate = 23 April 2024 }}</ref> One of these, the former schoolhouse (built in 1867),<ref name="LAP"/> was previously home to the [[Irish Harp Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/georgian-schoolhouse-in-limerick-on-the-market-for-495k/34491276.html | website = independent.ie | title = Georgian schoolhouse in Limerick on the market for €495k | date = 28 February 2016 | accessdate = 23 April 2024 }}</ref> Another, the former convent (built {{circa|1790}}),<ref name="LAP"/> is now the Castleoaks House Hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business/368923/pat-mcdonagh-plans-to-unlock-potential-of-limerick-villagenow-he-has-keys-to-castle-oaks.html| website = limerickleader.ie | title = Pat McDonagh plans to unlock potential of Limerick village now he has keys to Castle Oaks | date = 10 March 2019 | accessdate = 23 April 2024 }}</ref>

==Fishing==
Castleconnell is known for its fishing – both coarse and game – and has been a fishing destination since at least the 19th century.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} The main catch was salmon and trout. The Shannon Inn, a local pub, has hosted fishing clientele over the years.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The Shannon Electricity Scheme and its [[Ardnacrusha power plant|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 [[swan]]s, many of which are migratory Icelandic [[whooper swan]]s wintering and breeding on the river.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

==Sport==
===Gaelic games===
Castleconnell is the home of [[Ahane GAA]] club, which has won 19 [[Limerick Senior Hurling Championship]]s between 1931 and 1948 and provided many of the Limerick [[hurling]] team that won [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]]s in 1934, 1936 and 1940. Among its most notable players were [[Mick Mackey]] and [[Jackie Power]].{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

===Boxing===
Boxer [[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]] was raised in Castleconnell from the age of 14. He became World [[WBO]] [[Middleweight]] champion in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/12024793/andy-lee-surprises-matt-korobov-win-middleweight-title|title= Lee stops Korobov to win title|date=15 December 2014|work=ESPN|access-date=16 December 2014}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.rowingireland.ie/statement-from-castleconnell-boat-club/ |website=Rowing Ireland |title=Statement From Castleconnell Boat Club}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/castleconnell-boat-club/45615 |title=Discover Ireland - Castleconnell Boat Club |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603101523/http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/castleconnell-boat-club/45615 |archive-date=3 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rowers have a smooth, wide water to row on for {{convert|3.2|km}} to [[O'Brien's Bridge]]. Just beyond the bridge, rowers have another 1.5 kilometers before they come to a water flow regulator.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

==Transport==
[[Castleconnell railway station]] opened on 8 August 1858.<ref>{{cite web | title=Castleconnell station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=2007-09-05}}</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>{{cite ISB|name=City and County of Limerick Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|year=2018|number=624|type=si|date=19 December 2018|access-date=5 September 2020}}</ref> It is classified as a town under the Limerick Development Plan adopted by Limerick City and County Council in 2022.<ref>{{citation |url = https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2022-06/Volume%201%20Written%20Statement.pdf| publisher = Limerick City and County Council | title = Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028 - Volume 1 - Written Statement - Adopted June 2022| date = 2022 | accessdate = 18 July 2025 | page = 23 }}</ref>

==Notable residents==
{{See also|Category:People from Castleconnell}}
<!-- Only for notable people who verifiably live/lived in Castleconnell and have their own Wikipedia article -->
*[[Ciarán Barry]] (b. 1999), hurler{{fact|date=July 2024}}
*[[John Gilhooly]] (b. 1973), arts administrator<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ilovelimerick.ie/john-gilhooly/| website = ilovelimerick.ie | title = Limerick-born musical director of Wigmore Hall John Gilhooly receives CBE | date = 11 January 2022 }}</ref>
*[[Bulmer Hobson]] (1883–1969), Irish republican who died in Castleconnell.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Browne|first1=Shane|title=Bulmer Hobson|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/1916/thinkers-talkers-doers/bulmer-hobson-34222350.html|access-date=12 March 2016|work=Independent.ie|date=27 November 2015}}</ref>
*[[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]] (b. 1984), boxer who was born in England but raised in Castleconnell.<ref name="Future Star">{{cite web|author=Ron Borges |title=Future Star: Andy Lee |work=The Sweet Science |url=http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5758/tss-future-star-andy-lee/ |access-date=16 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430112533/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5758/tss-future-star-andy-lee/ |archive-date=30 April 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Dan Morrissey]] (b. 1993), hurler{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
*[[Tom Morrissey (hurler)|Tom Morrissey]] (b. 1996), hurler{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
*[[Pat Shortt]] (b. 1967), comedian and actor, who had a house in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/357358/pat-shortts-majestic-georgian-housein-county-limerick-is-sale-agreed.html | website = limerickleader.ie | title = Pat Shortt's majestic Georgian house in County Limerick is 'sale agreed' | date = 19 January 2019 | accessdate = 28 July 2024 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Castleconnell}}
* [https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/planning-and-property/local-area-plans/castleconnell-local-area-plan Castleconnell Local Area Plan 2023-2029 (adopted by Limerick City and County Council April 2023)]

{{County Limerick}}
{{Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns and villages in County Limerick]]
[[Category:Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Shannon]]