Finnea which in English means 'wood of the ford' is a small village in County Westmeath

County Westmeath

-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...

 on the border with County Cavan

County Cavan

County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...

. It straddles the R394 road

R394 road

The R394 road is a regional road in Ireland linking the N55 in County Cavan to Mullingar in County Westmeath. It passes through the town of Castlepollard and several villages and hamlets en route.The road is long.-References:* – Department of Transport...

.

History

The village is known for its association with Myles "The Slasher" O'Reilly whose monument in the town (picture below) relates how he died on 5th August 1646 defending the Bridge of Finnea against British forces. Percy French also mentioned the Bridge of Finnea in his famous ballad 'Come Back Paddy Reilly'.

Finnea lies on land between Lough Sheelin

Lough Sheelin

Lough Sheelin is a limestone freshwater lough in Ireland located in County Westmeath, County Meath and County Cavan near the village of Finea and the town of Granard County Longford....

 and Lough Kinale and the bridge crosses the River Inny

River Inny

The River Inny is a river in Ireland. It flows from Lough Kinale under the Bridge of Finea into Lough Sheelin in County Cavan and heads south to Lough Derravaragh...

 flowing between them.

Finnea is also the birthplace of writer Dermot Healy

Dermot Healy

Dermot Healy is an Irish novelist, playwright, and poet. He has won the Hennessy Award , the Tom Gallon Award , and the Encore Award...

. Thomas Davis

Thomas Osborne Davis (Irish politician)

Thomas Osborne Davis was a revolutionary Irish writer who was the chief organizer and poet of the Young Ireland movement.-Early life:...

 celebrated Finnea with his ballad 'The Flower of Finnea'. Finnea is also known for its scenery, fishing and game shooting which attract many foreign tourists.

Victoria Cross

Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....

 recipient, General Sir Mark Walker

Mark Walker

For the fisher and songwriter with the same name, see Mark Walker . For the Canadian Ethicist, see Mark Alan WalkerGeneral Sir Mark Walker VC KCB was born in Gore Port, Finea, County Westmeath in Ireland...

, was born in Gore Port, Finnea. He was the brother of Sir Samuel Walker, 1st Baronet, who was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland

Lord Chancellor of Ireland

The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...

 by Gladstone in 1892.

Demographics

The town had a population of 317 in the 2006 Census, a 21.9% increase from the 2002 Census.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland.
• Market Houses in Ireland