Mahoonagh
Encyclopedia
Mahoonagh village is two miles (3 km) south east of the town of Newcastle West
, County Limerick
. Ireland.
There are two villages within the parish of Mahoonagh.
The parish has two main centres, Mahoonagh and Feohanagh
(Feothanach) villages.
Mahoonagh village is the official name and it is known locally as Castlemahon (Caisleán Uí Mhathúna) village.
There is one Main Street in Castlemahon and one Main Housing estate known as Churchview.
There is a Parish Hall, a primary National School, RC Church, Post office, two shops and two Pubs, one Car Garage and A Plant Hire within the Village.
proceed out the ‘Bruff line’ road (Towards Kilmallock
) and after 1.5 miles (2.4 km) take the first Right at the cross roads towards Kilmeedy
. Castlemahon Village is sided on east bank of the River Deel
.
You can also get to Castlemahon Village by taking the Cork Road (From Newcastle West towards Dromcollogher and take the First Left at the first crossroads coming into the village from the townland of Ballinvullen.
Feohanagh
village is situated approximately five miles further away, on the R522 on the road between Newcastle West
and Dromcollogher.
The county's regional/national bus hub is located in Limerick
City Colbert Station train station. The Bus Hub has connection to various cities and towns throughout Ireland.
. The Cork
-Dublin line and Limerick Colbert Station Limerick-Dublin via Limerick Junction County Tipperary
.
One Private Run bus company within the Parish.
N19 in County Clare
, Kerry Airport
Farranfore
N23 County Kerry
and Cork Airport Kinsale Road N27 County Cork
, all are within 1 hour's drive.
email: mahoonaghns.ias@eircom.net
Tel: +353 69 72332
In the Civil Survey of 1654–56 the spelling is Mahownagh, Mahoonagh (or Castlemahon as it is locally known), at that time, the parish was in the Glenquin Division of the barony of Upper Connello. There is no exact known date for the founding of the parish. In the sixteenth century, Mahoonagh was divided up into three parts called Trean Tawnaghe, Treanmeane and Treanfaltaghe.
The ruins of a massive square tower about 30 feet (9.1 m) high, exist near Castlemahon and gives the name to the village. Near it is a curious circular building, with a high conical roof of stone. It was a strong fortress erected about 1490 by the Fitzgeralds.
Cormac MacCarthaigh became the King of Munster in 1123 when his brother Tadhg died. According to Mainchín Seoighe, Cormac was known as Cormac Muighe Thamhnach because he had his residence in Mahoonagh. Cormac was a violent leader and led an expedition against the O'Connor's of Connacht. However, he was displaced as King in 1127 and was killed in 1138 in his house in Maigh Thamhnach by the O'Briens. Previously, it was recorded that Cellachan, the King of Cashel was killed at Mahoonagh in 954.
Emigrants to North America from Mahoonagh include Michael Scanlon
, the "Fenian Poet," Thomas Scanlan, Mayor of Houston, Texas in the 1800s, William Fleming, Grandfather of Harry Raymond Fleming, Canadian Member of Parliament and Great Great Grandfather of Michael P. Fleming, Elected Harris County Attorney (Houston, Texas).
Fitzgibbon-Macgibbon succeeded in taking over the Castle. He had a servant named Casey. Nobody Knows how Casey came to be in the Castle with the English, but on Shrove Tuesday morning he rose early, he Climbed to the top of the tower unobserved by the inmates and whistled. This was a signal to Fitzgibbon and the Irish to get ready. He came down, roused up the porter, Thomas Everard and conned him into letting him out. Escott, who held the castle, Vosias Walker, Daniel Jennings the Local minister, and others to the number of forty, were it is alleged, stripped naked by MacGibbon. Four of them were hanged at the Windmill of Meane near Kilbolane Castle
while the rest were allowed to retire in safety. The other prisoners were ordered to march to North Cork. As there were more captives than the Irish, Fitzgibbon decided to leave some of them to be hanged along the way. The English got angry at this and Fitzgibbon was forced to set all the prisoners free.
At Ballynoe are the remains of an old Castle was built by the Knights Templer. The ivy clad ruins of Clonelty Church can still be traced beside the old castle.
The Principal seats were Mayne the residence of Bryan Sheehy, and Ballinakill more of Godfrey Massey. The Living was a rectory and vicarage of the Diocese of Limerick
and in the patronage of the Earl of Devon. Tithes amounted to £500 and there was a Glebe of 13 acres (52,609.2 m²).
, from flax to wheat, none survive today. It was suspected that they were built similar to local houses at that time and floods from the river & Normal weather destroyed the buildings after they were not maintained.
Castlemahon Co-operative Dairy Society was formed in 1890. The Castlemahon area was campaigned for share capital and the erection of the creamery commenced in 1891. The contractors were the Naughton's. The building was completed and in order for the start of 1892 milk season. The committee and the officers that were elected include, chairman George L Sheehy, and manager Tom Beary, of Mitchelstown. Mr. Beary resigned in 1893 and was replaced by two local men of Castlemahon. Joseph Liston and James Phelan, were temporary managers until Denis Hegarty, of Roscarberry took over the creamery.
A new company was formed in October 1984 when O’ Kane Poultry of Ballymena purchased the processing plant from the Liquidator of the Co-operative. Employment increased in excess of 280. This compares more than favourably with the employment level of 144 in October 1984. The workforce at Castlemahon has proved to be highly flexible as is required in the fresh food business. Castlemahon Foods brought the Golden Vale site and built a cooking plant on its location. As the range of product produced grows, the skill base of the company will be expanded to cater for market requirements. The market for chicken has changed considerably over the past few years. The present day house-wife tends to purchase a variety of products, thus making meal preparations less of a chore. Over the years Castlemahon Foods continued to expand the overall chicken market by providing an alternative chicken meal from chicken portions to the roast chicken, turkey portions etc. 40% of the annual sales are made over the Christmas period mainly from the Turkey Market. The significant change in the market is the greater demand for fresh & frozen turkeys. In order to satisfy this demand a new processing line has been installed in Castlemahon and the first turkey in four years will be processed at the plant this Christmas (1989 parish annual), over the years the plant continued it expansion of poultry products with variety chicken portions and custom orders from and to an every demanding consumer. In the late 1990 Castlemahon Foods built a Mill for processing of meal for the poultry trade.
Castlemahon foods continued to upgrade it equipment and Improved their process over the years until it went into receivership in October 2006 and wound up in November 2006 losing up to 300 jobs.
Club) with their playing Field in Coolyroe. For Hurling the parish is represented by Feohanagh and in Gaelic Football is Castlemahon who represents the parish. There are also handball courts available in Coolyroe. Hurling is the main sport in Castlemahon.
Famous Hurling members from this club are from the Quaid Family.
, Rugby on the Killarney road N21 Newcastle West
.
http://www.lcc.ie/Office_Locations/Newcastlewest/NewcastleWest_Demesne/
It comprises 12,262 statute acres, which are in part very good, though some are cold, wet, being chiefly pasture and meadow, constituting several large and small dairy farms, around the parish. It has some good land tolerably and it is well cultivated. The marshy land consists chiefly of exhausted bog, all reclaimable by drainage.
Until late 2006, with the closure of Castlemahon Foods, Poultry farming was another income for the local farmers in the area.
The Newcastle West
Agricultural Show take place within the Parish, at Ballynoe on farm of Terence Leonard Farm, within the last few years. It was originally resides within the Castle Demesne in Newcastle West
until recent years.
Up to 300 processing jobs were lost when the owners of Castlemahon, the O'Kane Group, applied to the High Court to have company wound up. It was a big blow to the region for many families who depended on Castlemahon, with some had many generations work there.
The closure has also left 58 growers and 20 Chicken/Turkey breeders without an outlet for their produce.
The soil rests on a substratum of limestone, excellent quarries of which are worked at Shauragh and near the village.
More Information is available at the Parish Website.
http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org/Mahoonagh.htm
and in National and Local Newspapers, that Two Siberian Tigers settle down in Castlemahon in November 1990, Castlemahon hit the news headlines and made History. In the home of Stafford and Kathleen Tailor in Mahoonagh Castlemahon. They bought a Christmas present of two Siberian tigers for their daughter Andrea. The names of the tigers were Nova and Batack. The animals were delivered by Chipperfield Circus to their new home, which was built to the specified standards. The large reinforced double cage where they were kept was in specification beforehand for the safe keeping of these animals.
Only web reference is here.
This event was mention in a Debate in the Dáil Éireann
on 4 March 1992, but Deputy Noonan misquoted the date of arrival of the tigers.
Control of Dogs (Amendment) Bill, 1991: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
. Ireland.
There are two villages within the parish of Mahoonagh.
The parish has two main centres, Mahoonagh and Feohanagh
Feohanagh
Feohanagh is a village in the Parish of Mahoonagh, South West County Limerick in Ireland. The village is 5 miles south east of the town of Newcastle West, County Limerick on the R522 regional road to Dromcollogher. It is the only village on the road between Newcastle West and Dromcollogher.-See...
(Feothanach) villages.
Mahoonagh village is the official name and it is known locally as Castlemahon (Caisleán Uí Mhathúna) village.
There is one Main Street in Castlemahon and one Main Housing estate known as Churchview.
There is a Parish Hall, a primary National School, RC Church, Post office, two shops and two Pubs, one Car Garage and A Plant Hire within the Village.
Location
From Newcastle WestNewcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
proceed out the ‘Bruff line’ road (Towards Kilmallock
Kilmallock
Kilmallock or Kilmalloc is a town in south County Limerick, Ireland, near the border with County Cork. There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle . The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible. The Dublin–Cork railway line passes by the town,...
) and after 1.5 miles (2.4 km) take the first Right at the cross roads towards Kilmeedy
Kilmeedy
Kilmeedy is a village in County Limerick, in the parish of Feenagh-Kilmeedy.In Irish, Kilmeedy translates as Cill m'Íde, or Church of my Ita. This refers to Saint Ita who founded a church in the area before moving to another parish in the Limerick area, Kileedy, also named after the saint...
. Castlemahon Village is sided on east bank of the River Deel
River Deel
The River Deel is in County Limerick, Ireland.The river rises near Dromina in North County Cork and flows north into County Limerick for over 60 km to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton....
.
You can also get to Castlemahon Village by taking the Cork Road (From Newcastle West towards Dromcollogher and take the First Left at the first crossroads coming into the village from the townland of Ballinvullen.
Feohanagh
Feohanagh
Feohanagh is a village in the Parish of Mahoonagh, South West County Limerick in Ireland. The village is 5 miles south east of the town of Newcastle West, County Limerick on the R522 regional road to Dromcollogher. It is the only village on the road between Newcastle West and Dromcollogher.-See...
village is situated approximately five miles further away, on the R522 on the road between Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
and Dromcollogher.
Bus
The Killarney/Tralee Bus Route passes through Newcastle WestNewcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
The county's regional/national bus hub is located in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
City Colbert Station train station. The Bus Hub has connection to various cities and towns throughout Ireland.
Rail
The nearest passenger rail is Charleville, County CorkCharleville, County Cork
Charleville or Ráth Luirc is a town in north County Cork, Ireland, situated in Ireland's Golden Vale, near the border with County Limerick. It is located on the "Glen" tributary river, which flows into the Maigue River in Co. Limerick...
. The Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
-Dublin line and Limerick Colbert Station Limerick-Dublin via Limerick Junction County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
.
One Private Run bus company within the Parish.
Air
No commercial airports are situated in County Limerick and the Parish's needs are serviced from Shannon AirportShannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
N19 in County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, Kerry Airport
Kerry Airport
-Ground transportation:Kerry Airport is approximately from both Cork and Limerick. Iarnród Éireann's Farranfore railway station is located to the south with services to Killarney, Tralee, Cork and Dublin....
Farranfore
Farranfore
Farranfore is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. It lies on the N22 road approximately midway between Tralee and Killarney and on the railway line connecting those two towns....
N23 County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
and Cork Airport Kinsale Road N27 County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, all are within 1 hour's drive.
Bordering parishes
- Newcastle WestNewcastle WestNewcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
to the northwest, - KnockaderryKnockaderryKnockaderry is a village within County Limerick, Ireland .The name Knockaderry is from the Irish Cnoc an Doire, which means 'the hill of the Oak'. There is still an oak grove evident near the village...
/ Cloncagh to the northeast & east, - Feenagh / KilmeedyKilmeedyKilmeedy is a village in County Limerick, in the parish of Feenagh-Kilmeedy.In Irish, Kilmeedy translates as Cill m'Íde, or Church of my Ita. This refers to Saint Ita who founded a church in the area before moving to another parish in the Limerick area, Kileedy, also named after the saint...
to the southeast, - Dromcollogher / BroadfordBroadford, County LimerickBroadford is located in the west of County Limerick in Ireland. It is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Dromcollogher-Broadford. In the 2006 Irish census, the resident population of the Broadford electoral district was 891....
to the south, - KilleedyKilleedyKilleedy is a parish located south of Newcastle West in Co. Limerick in Ireland. This parish consists of two villages, Ashford and Raheenagh. The elevation of the parish varies from 1,184 ft. OS at Mauricetown and 1,082 ft. at Dromdeeveen to 200 ft. OS at Ballintubber. The parish...
/ Ashford / Raheenagh to the southwest, - Monagea to the west.
Townlands
| English Name | Irish Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ahawik | Áth an Mhoilc | The ford of the throng |
| Appletown | Drom Cromáin | Ridge of the bending feature |
| Balliniska | Baile an Uisce | The town of the water |
| Ballinvullen | Baile an Mhuilaigh | The town of the summit |
| Ballydonnell | Baile Uí Dhónhaill | The town of Ó Dónaill |
| Ballydoorty | Baile Uí Dhúrtaigh | The town of Ó Dúrtaigh |
| Ballinakillbeg | Baile na Coille Beag | The town of the wood |
| Ballinakillmore | Baile na Coille Mór | as above |
| Ballygullen | Baile Uí Ghoillín | The town of Ó Goillín |
| Ballynoe | An Baile Nua | The new town |
| Ballyregan | Baile Uí Riagáin | The town of Ó Riagáin |
| Cloonmore | An Chluain Mhór | The big meadow |
| Clooncooravane North | Cluain Cúrabháin | Meaning uncertain |
| Clooncooravane South | as above | as above |
| Clounsherrick | Cluain Séaraic | The meadow of Séaraic |
| Cooliska | An Chúil Loiscthe | The burnt corner |
| Coolygorman | Cúil Uí Ghormain | O’Gorman’s corner |
| Coolyroe | Cúil an Rua | The corner of the red feature |
| Curragh | An Currach | The wet land |
| Danganbeg | An Daingean Beag | The small fort |
| Fawnlehane | Fán Liatháin | The slope of Liathán |
| Farran | Fearann | Land |
| Feohanagh | An Fheothanach | The place of thistles |
| Garbally East | An Gearrbhaile | The short town |
| Garrane | An Garrán | The grove |
| Garryduff | An Garraí Dubh | The black garden |
| Gortmore | An Gort Mór | The big field |
| Gortskagh | Gort Scátha | The field of briars |
| Iniskeen | Inis Caoin | Pleasant island |
| Kilready | Cill an Riadaigh | The church of An Riadach |
| Mahoonagh Beg | Maigh Thamhnach | Plain of clearings |
| Mahoonagh More | as above | as above |
| Mayne | Méin | Meaning uncertain |
| Moanroe Beg | An Mhóin Rua | The red bogland |
| Moanlena | Móin Léana | Bogland of wet meadows |
| Rathpalatine | Ráth na bPalaitíneach | The rath of the Palatines |
| Shanrath | An tSeanráth | The old rath |
| Walshestown | Baile na Bhreatnaigh | The town of An Breatnach |
Education
There is one Primary school within the village known as Mahoonagh National School and it is situated on the site of the Old St Nichols Church.email: mahoonaghns.ias@eircom.net
Tel: +353 69 72332
History
The present day name of Mahoonagh comes from the Irish 'Maigh Tamhnach', which means 'the plain of the tree stumps' or 'the plain of the clearings'. The village of Mahoonagh is more commonly known as Castlemahon village, although Mainchín Seoighe tells us that the origin of this place name is unclear, there being neither parish nor townland of that name.In the Civil Survey of 1654–56 the spelling is Mahownagh, Mahoonagh (or Castlemahon as it is locally known), at that time, the parish was in the Glenquin Division of the barony of Upper Connello. There is no exact known date for the founding of the parish. In the sixteenth century, Mahoonagh was divided up into three parts called Trean Tawnaghe, Treanmeane and Treanfaltaghe.
The ruins of a massive square tower about 30 feet (9.1 m) high, exist near Castlemahon and gives the name to the village. Near it is a curious circular building, with a high conical roof of stone. It was a strong fortress erected about 1490 by the Fitzgeralds.
Cormac MacCarthaigh became the King of Munster in 1123 when his brother Tadhg died. According to Mainchín Seoighe, Cormac was known as Cormac Muighe Thamhnach because he had his residence in Mahoonagh. Cormac was a violent leader and led an expedition against the O'Connor's of Connacht. However, he was displaced as King in 1127 and was killed in 1138 in his house in Maigh Thamhnach by the O'Briens. Previously, it was recorded that Cellachan, the King of Cashel was killed at Mahoonagh in 954.
Emigrants to North America from Mahoonagh include Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon (poet)
Michael Scanlon was an Irish nationalist, editor, poet and writer. He was known as the "Fenian poet" and is remembered as the author of stirring Irish ballads such as the "Bold Fenian Men" and "The Jackets Green".-Life:...
, the "Fenian Poet," Thomas Scanlan, Mayor of Houston, Texas in the 1800s, William Fleming, Grandfather of Harry Raymond Fleming, Canadian Member of Parliament and Great Great Grandfather of Michael P. Fleming, Elected Harris County Attorney (Houston, Texas).
Castles
Mahoonagh Castle was built by the Fitzgeralds at the end of the 12 or the beginning of the 13th century. In later years the Castle was owned by the Fitzgibbons. The English occupied it but in 1598 another Fitzgibbon descendant of those who once owned the castle – attacked it and gained possession of it. There is an interesting story of how this ThomasFitzgibbon-Macgibbon succeeded in taking over the Castle. He had a servant named Casey. Nobody Knows how Casey came to be in the Castle with the English, but on Shrove Tuesday morning he rose early, he Climbed to the top of the tower unobserved by the inmates and whistled. This was a signal to Fitzgibbon and the Irish to get ready. He came down, roused up the porter, Thomas Everard and conned him into letting him out. Escott, who held the castle, Vosias Walker, Daniel Jennings the Local minister, and others to the number of forty, were it is alleged, stripped naked by MacGibbon. Four of them were hanged at the Windmill of Meane near Kilbolane Castle
Kilbolane Castle
Kilbolane Castle is a historical fortification atop Kilbolane Hill, half a kilometre from the village of Milford, County Cork, Ireland. The castle was built in the 15th or 16th century but employed a 13th century Norman style with high walls joined by circular guard towers and surrounded by a moat,...
while the rest were allowed to retire in safety. The other prisoners were ordered to march to North Cork. As there were more captives than the Irish, Fitzgibbon decided to leave some of them to be hanged along the way. The English got angry at this and Fitzgibbon was forced to set all the prisoners free.
At Ballynoe are the remains of an old Castle was built by the Knights Templer. The ivy clad ruins of Clonelty Church can still be traced beside the old castle.
The Principal seats were Mayne the residence of Bryan Sheehy, and Ballinakill more of Godfrey Massey. The Living was a rectory and vicarage of the Diocese of Limerick
Diocese of Limerick
Diocese of Limerick may refer to:*Church of Ireland Diocese of Limerick*Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick...
and in the patronage of the Earl of Devon. Tithes amounted to £500 and there was a Glebe of 13 acres (52,609.2 m²).
Local Mills
There were several water mills on the River DeelRiver Deel
The River Deel is in County Limerick, Ireland.The river rises near Dromina in North County Cork and flows north into County Limerick for over 60 km to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton....
, from flax to wheat, none survive today. It was suspected that they were built similar to local houses at that time and floods from the river & Normal weather destroyed the buildings after they were not maintained.
History of the Creamery
The old Creamery of CastlemahonCastlemahon Co-operative Dairy Society was formed in 1890. The Castlemahon area was campaigned for share capital and the erection of the creamery commenced in 1891. The contractors were the Naughton's. The building was completed and in order for the start of 1892 milk season. The committee and the officers that were elected include, chairman George L Sheehy, and manager Tom Beary, of Mitchelstown. Mr. Beary resigned in 1893 and was replaced by two local men of Castlemahon. Joseph Liston and James Phelan, were temporary managers until Denis Hegarty, of Roscarberry took over the creamery.
Castlemahon Co- operative
In 1920 poultry processing commenced in the creamery and consisted of the gathering of live fowl for both the home market and for export. The business became the leading poultry provider in Ireland in 1960, after the amalgamation of the milk business, of the co – operative with Golden Vale in the early 1970s. Golden Vale in the mid 1980’s wound up their business on the site and diverted the Farmers to deliver their Milk to nearby Newcastle West. The Castlemahon site was a great social meeting place for the local gossip in the parish for the local farmers as they were always plenty of parking for the long gossip without affecting the delivery of milk. An old shop (Now demolished) across the road, severed Newspapers and other needs for the farmers. The poultry business continued as a separate co – operative and embarked on an ambitious growth programme through business acquisitions. The workforce at Castlemahon has proved to be highly flexible as is required in the fresh food business. They supply quality poultry to Ireland's leading retailers and caterers.A new company was formed in October 1984 when O’ Kane Poultry of Ballymena purchased the processing plant from the Liquidator of the Co-operative. Employment increased in excess of 280. This compares more than favourably with the employment level of 144 in October 1984. The workforce at Castlemahon has proved to be highly flexible as is required in the fresh food business. Castlemahon Foods brought the Golden Vale site and built a cooking plant on its location. As the range of product produced grows, the skill base of the company will be expanded to cater for market requirements. The market for chicken has changed considerably over the past few years. The present day house-wife tends to purchase a variety of products, thus making meal preparations less of a chore. Over the years Castlemahon Foods continued to expand the overall chicken market by providing an alternative chicken meal from chicken portions to the roast chicken, turkey portions etc. 40% of the annual sales are made over the Christmas period mainly from the Turkey Market. The significant change in the market is the greater demand for fresh & frozen turkeys. In order to satisfy this demand a new processing line has been installed in Castlemahon and the first turkey in four years will be processed at the plant this Christmas (1989 parish annual), over the years the plant continued it expansion of poultry products with variety chicken portions and custom orders from and to an every demanding consumer. In the late 1990 Castlemahon Foods built a Mill for processing of meal for the poultry trade.
Castlemahon foods continued to upgrade it equipment and Improved their process over the years until it went into receivership in October 2006 and wound up in November 2006 losing up to 300 jobs.
GAA
Main centre for Sports within the parish is the GAA (Feohanagh-CastlemahonFeohanagh-Castlemahon GAA
Feohanagh-Castlemahon is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the parish of Mahoonagh, County Limerick, Ireland. It was founded in 1890. Coolyroe is the main centre for the GAA field, known as Quaid Park....
Club) with their playing Field in Coolyroe. For Hurling the parish is represented by Feohanagh and in Gaelic Football is Castlemahon who represents the parish. There are also handball courts available in Coolyroe. Hurling is the main sport in Castlemahon.
Famous Hurling members from this club are from the Quaid Family.
- Tommy QuaidTommy QuaidTommy Quaid was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Feohanagh-Castlemahon and Effin and was the goalkeeper on the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1993...
- Joe QuaidJoe QuaidJoe Quaid is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Murroe-Boher and was goalkeeper on the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1994 until 2002.-Early life:...
Feohanagh-Castlemahon Ladies Gaelic Football
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=4939951551Other Sports
More Sporting centres are available in nearby Newcastle West, with Soccer and other indoor sports in the Demesne, Newcastle WestNewcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
, Rugby on the Killarney road N21 Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
.
http://www.lcc.ie/Office_Locations/Newcastlewest/NewcastleWest_Demesne/
Farming
Mahoonagh is part of the rich Golden Vale landscape which is ideal for Farming. For most of Mahoonagh history, Farming was the main employment.It comprises 12,262 statute acres, which are in part very good, though some are cold, wet, being chiefly pasture and meadow, constituting several large and small dairy farms, around the parish. It has some good land tolerably and it is well cultivated. The marshy land consists chiefly of exhausted bog, all reclaimable by drainage.
Until late 2006, with the closure of Castlemahon Foods, Poultry farming was another income for the local farmers in the area.
The Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
Agricultural Show take place within the Parish, at Ballynoe on farm of Terence Leonard Farm, within the last few years. It was originally resides within the Castle Demesne in Newcastle West
Newcastle West
Newcastle West is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. The town is the largest town in the county, excluding Limerick city, and is sited on the River Arra which flows into the River Deel...
until recent years.
Ballinvullin Industrial Estate
There is currently an Industrial Estate under construction (2007/2008) in the Townland of Ballinvullen (West of the Village towards the Cork Road R522 ) which already has a Mill nearby built by Castlemahon Foods near Laceys Cross on the Cork Road (R522).Past Major Employment
The main big Employment for the Parish in the past and West Limerick and its surrounding areas in recent years for many decades was Castlemahon Foods (known locally as the Creamery) which was located across the river on the west bank from the main village on the Road to Lacey cross in the townland of Ballinvullen. The Factory closed down and went into receivership in October 2006.Up to 300 processing jobs were lost when the owners of Castlemahon, the O'Kane Group, applied to the High Court to have company wound up. It was a big blow to the region for many families who depended on Castlemahon, with some had many generations work there.
The closure has also left 58 growers and 20 Chicken/Turkey breeders without an outlet for their produce.
The soil rests on a substratum of limestone, excellent quarries of which are worked at Shauragh and near the village.
Religion
There are two Catholic Churches within the parish, St. John the Baptist (Castlemahon) St. Mary (Feohanagh).More Information is available at the Parish Website.
http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org/Mahoonagh.htm
Siberian Tigers
Several Reports on RTE NewsRTÉ News
RTÉ News and Current Affairs , is a major division of Raidió Teilifís Éireann responsible for news programming on television, radio and online within the Republic of Ireland. It is, by far, the largest and most popular news source in Ireland - with 77% of the Irish public regarding it as their main...
and in National and Local Newspapers, that Two Siberian Tigers settle down in Castlemahon in November 1990, Castlemahon hit the news headlines and made History. In the home of Stafford and Kathleen Tailor in Mahoonagh Castlemahon. They bought a Christmas present of two Siberian tigers for their daughter Andrea. The names of the tigers were Nova and Batack. The animals were delivered by Chipperfield Circus to their new home, which was built to the specified standards. The large reinforced double cage where they were kept was in specification beforehand for the safe keeping of these animals.
Only web reference is here.
This event was mention in a Debate in the Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on 4 March 1992, but Deputy Noonan misquoted the date of arrival of the tigers.
Control of Dogs (Amendment) Bill, 1991: Committee Stage (Resumed)
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
External links
- http://www.limerickdioceseheritage.org/Mahoonagh.htm
- http://www.boydhouse.com/alice/Carey/mahoonagh.html
- http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/bycounty/Limerick/Castlemahon
- http://homepage.eircom.net/~asduchasdochas/gatewaywest/feohanagh/index.htm
- http://www.askaboutireland.ie/show_narrative_page.do?page_id=2698
- Great Picture of a girl on the East Bank of the Deel facing the Old Creamery (which is now closed)
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/shooot/2064800043