Glenamaddy
Encyclopedia
Glenamaddy is a small town in County Galway
, Ireland
. It lies at the crossroads where the R362
and R364
regional road
s intersect.
Glenamaddy is the most important town in the northeastern corner of County Galway
. It became the musical capital of Connacht
during the 1960s when the Showband
craze swept the country. To the east of the town lies Loch Lurgeen, a raised bog. The origins of the Parish (which was originally called Boyounagh) lie in the village of Boyounagh which lies to the North West of Glenamaddy Town.
for Glenamaddy is. Some say it is derived from the Irish Gleann na Madadh, Gleann meaning valley and madhadh from madra meaning dog. This would suggest that the name means Valley of the Dogs. The suggested meaning for this being the shape of the Glenamaddy Turlough
as looked at from above.
The other explanation that has been given is that the name comes from Gleann na Maighe Duibhí meaning Valley of the black plain, because of the lake (turlough) in the area which dries up every year leaving a black plain.
, ruled by the O Concannon dynasty.
The town itself did not develop until the 1820s when a church was built and regular markets began in the town. From this time on the town began to grow and shops and pubs sprang up around the square and on the four roads leading into the town which are famous from the song of the same name. In 1853 a workhouse was built on the Creggs
road.
In 1904 St. Patrick's church was built to replace the older church which was in the grounds
of where the town graveyard stands today. In 1909 St. Bridget's Town Hall was built and played an important role in the social and cultural life of the parish. In 1924 a mill was built in Leitra, this gave badly needed employment to the area. Other places of interest include a megalithic tomb at Ballinastack, a crannóg on Kiltullagh lake and the Jeremiah Mee Memorial on the wall outside Phelan's lounge.
In the early 20th century markets were hugely popular in the town as for some small cottage industries it was the main outlet for their wares. Cattle, pigs, sheep, animal feeds, and household supplies were all sold at these markets and large crowds gathered in the town on these days. All goods being sold in the town were weighed at the weigh-house.
opened by Jim "Pete" Keaveney, with opposition from the church. Glenamaddy has hosted the Drama Festival since 1960, and there have been all Ireland finalists on a number of occasions.
The village was made famous by the song Four Country Roads, which was a hit for country
singer Big Tom
in 1981.
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It lies at the crossroads where the R362
R362 road
The R362 road is a regional road in Ireland linking Dunmore on the N83 with the N6 at Athlone. It passes through Glenamaddy, Creggs, Athleague and Curraghboy en route.The road is long.-References:* – Department of Transport...
and R364
R364 road
The R364 road is a regional road in County Galway, Ireland connecting Moylough on the N63 to near Ballymoe on the N60.The official definition of the R364 from the Roads Act 1993 Order 2006 states:-See also:...
regional road
Regional road
A regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is a...
s intersect.
Glenamaddy is the most important town in the northeastern corner of County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
. It became the musical capital of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
during the 1960s when the Showband
Irish showband
The Irish Showband was a dance band format which was popular in Ireland during the early rock and roll era from mid 1950s to the late 1970s. The showband was based on the internationally popular six or seven piece dance band. The band's basic repertoire included standard dance numbers and cover...
craze swept the country. To the east of the town lies Loch Lurgeen, a raised bog. The origins of the Parish (which was originally called Boyounagh) lie in the village of Boyounagh which lies to the North West of Glenamaddy Town.
Name
It has been argued for a long time what the exact meaning, and IrishIrish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
for Glenamaddy is. Some say it is derived from the Irish Gleann na Madadh, Gleann meaning valley and madhadh from madra meaning dog. This would suggest that the name means Valley of the Dogs. The suggested meaning for this being the shape of the Glenamaddy Turlough
Glenamaddy Turlough
The Glenamaddy Turlough is located east of the town of Glenamaddy, County Galway in Ireland. A turlough is a seasonal lake which usually dries up in summer...
as looked at from above.
The other explanation that has been given is that the name comes from Gleann na Maighe Duibhí meaning Valley of the black plain, because of the lake (turlough) in the area which dries up every year leaving a black plain.
History
Glenamaddy was located in what was the medieval kingdom of Uí DíarmataUí Díarmata
Uí Díarmata was a local kingdom located in what is now north County Galway.-Origins:The ruling dynasty took its name from King Diarmait Finn of Connacht , and the territory in turn was named after them. It seems to have been created by the Uí Briúin in the ninth century during a wave of expansion...
, ruled by the O Concannon dynasty.
The town itself did not develop until the 1820s when a church was built and regular markets began in the town. From this time on the town began to grow and shops and pubs sprang up around the square and on the four roads leading into the town which are famous from the song of the same name. In 1853 a workhouse was built on the Creggs
Creggs
Creggs is a small village in County Galway, in the west of Ireland, on the R362 regional road between Glenamaddy and Athleague.Although it has a population of only a hundred the village contains three Public Houses and used to contain seven...
road.
In 1904 St. Patrick's church was built to replace the older church which was in the grounds
of where the town graveyard stands today. In 1909 St. Bridget's Town Hall was built and played an important role in the social and cultural life of the parish. In 1924 a mill was built in Leitra, this gave badly needed employment to the area. Other places of interest include a megalithic tomb at Ballinastack, a crannóg on Kiltullagh lake and the Jeremiah Mee Memorial on the wall outside Phelan's lounge.
In the early 20th century markets were hugely popular in the town as for some small cottage industries it was the main outlet for their wares. Cattle, pigs, sheep, animal feeds, and household supplies were all sold at these markets and large crowds gathered in the town on these days. All goods being sold in the town were weighed at the weigh-house.
Culture
Glenamaddy boasts a long tradition of music and drama. The Esker ballroom was once one of the most popular dance venues in the country. The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a musical by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers...
opened by Jim "Pete" Keaveney, with opposition from the church. Glenamaddy has hosted the Drama Festival since 1960, and there have been all Ireland finalists on a number of occasions.
The village was made famous by the song Four Country Roads, which was a hit for country
Country and Irish
Country and Irish is a musical subgenre in Ireland formed by mixing North American country style music with Irish influences. It is especially popular in the rural Midlands and North-West of the country, but less so in urban areas or in the South-West where more traditional Irish music is favoured...
singer Big Tom
Big Tom
Tom McBride better known as Big Tom is an Irish country music singer, guitarist, and saxophone player. Established since 1966 he is currently front man of the Irish showband Big Tom and The Mainliners...
in 1981.
Sport
- Glenamaddy GACGlenamaddy GACGlenamaddy GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenamaddy, County Galway, Ireland. The club is a member of the Galway GAA. Glenamaddy compete in the Galway Intermediate Club Football Championship yet they have not won the competition in their history....
is the local Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club. - Glen Celtic local soccer club
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland