Termonfeckin
Encyclopedia
Termonfeckin or Termonfechin is a small village and townland
in County Louth
, Ireland
. It is within the parish
of the same name, and lies 8 km (5 mi) north-east of Drogheda
. The population of the village was 653 as per census
2006.
The village gained ecclesiastical importance in the late 12th century when an Augustinian monastery was founded in the village. A convent of nuns, also of the Augustinian order, was established shortly afterwards and while the monastery didn't survive, the convent flourished in Termonfeckin up until its eventual closure in 1540, following the Reformation of Henry VIII.
(See Termonfeckin Historical Society's website at: www.termonfeckinhistory.ie
and Seapoint, with their coasts and golf courses, attract many visitors.
of 3 storeys, with good trefoil
headed windows. Its most unusual feature is the corbelled roof, similar to the technique used for the Newgrange
chamber roof, which is on the third storey. This castle was damaged in the Irish Rebellion of 1641
but was later repaired by a Captain Brabazon. It is now a National Monument
.
) as an auxiliary residence to their episcopal quarters in nearby Drogheda. After the Reformation several of the Protestant Archbishops resided periodically in Termonfeckin. The castle's most famous occupant at this time was James Ussher
who was Protestant Archbishop of Armagh from 1625 to 1656. He used the castle in Termonfeckin for much of his term up until 1640 when he departed for England, never to return. The castle was damaged in the 1641 Rebellion and was not repaired. It fell into disuse and was eventually demolished around 1830.
is a high cross
with a winged figure above the Crucifixion on the east face, and Christ in Glory on the west face; the rest of the cross is covered in interlacing and geometrical patterns. At the foot of the cross is a slab with a Crucifixion scene (probably 16th century) and nearby is the base of another cross. Built into the porch of St. Fechin's church is a stone with an inscription which reads 'A prayer for Ultan and Dubthach who made this stone fort'.
, it fulfills many of that organisation's educational and social requirements. An Grianan was also a horticultural college until 2003. An Grianan featured in a recent RTE
series; ICA bootcamp.
club. St Fechins play in Pairc Naomh Feichin and field both gaelic football
and hurling
teams. Although the football team has declined since winning back to back county championships in the mid 80s.The gaelic has had its ups and downs from being senior county championship winners in 1983 and again in 1984, to now being a mid to top table Intermediate club vying for promotion to the higher ranks of Louth club football.The hurling teams have had most success in recent times, winning county championships in 2004 and 2006.Founded in 1947
courses in the area. Seapoint Golf Club is located in Termonfeckin, and Co Louth Golf Club is located in Baltray
. (The latter hosted the Irish Open
in 2004 and 2009.)
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for 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 is within the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of the same name, and lies 8 km (5 mi) north-east of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
. The population of the village was 653 as per census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
2006.
History
Tradition has it that a medieval monastery was founded in the village by Saint Feichin of Fore in the 7th century. The monastic settlement was plundered by Vikings in 1013 and by the clan Ui-Crichan of Farney on Christmas Day 1025. The monastery was plundered again a century later (in 1149) by raiders from Bregia (Meath).The village gained ecclesiastical importance in the late 12th century when an Augustinian monastery was founded in the village. A convent of nuns, also of the Augustinian order, was established shortly afterwards and while the monastery didn't survive, the convent flourished in Termonfeckin up until its eventual closure in 1540, following the Reformation of Henry VIII.
(See Termonfeckin Historical Society's website at: www.termonfeckinhistory.ie
Economy
Termonfeckin is primarily dependent on the farming industry. However, tourism also plays a large part, and nearby BaltrayBaltray
Baltray is a village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It sits on the northern shore of the River Boyne estuary....
and Seapoint, with their coasts and golf courses, attract many visitors.
Termonfeckin Castle
The extant castle in Termonfeckin is a 15th or 16th century tower houseTower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
of 3 storeys, with good trefoil
Trefoil
Trefoil is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings used in architecture and Christian symbolism...
headed windows. Its most unusual feature is the corbelled roof, similar to the technique used for the Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange is a prehistoric monument located in County Meath, on the eastern side of Ireland, about one kilometre north of the River Boyne. It was built around 3200 BC , during the Neolithic period...
chamber roof, which is on the third storey. This castle was damaged in the Irish Rebellion of 1641
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
but was later repaired by a Captain Brabazon. It is now a National Monument
National Monument (Ireland)
The Irish state has officially approved the following List of National Monuments of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, a structure or site may be deemed to be a "National Monument", and therefore worthy of state protection, if it is of national importance...
.
The former Primate's Castle
Until the early 19th century Termonfeckin also had another castle. This was the Primates Castle which was used for several centuries by the Archbishops of Armagh (including Richard CreaghRichard Creagh
Richard Creagh was an Irish Catholic Archbishop of Armagh.-Life:...
) as an auxiliary residence to their episcopal quarters in nearby Drogheda. After the Reformation several of the Protestant Archbishops resided periodically in Termonfeckin. The castle's most famous occupant at this time was James Ussher
James Ussher
James Ussher was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–56...
who was Protestant Archbishop of Armagh from 1625 to 1656. He used the castle in Termonfeckin for much of his term up until 1640 when he departed for England, never to return. The castle was damaged in the 1641 Rebellion and was not repaired. It fell into disuse and was eventually demolished around 1830.
High Cross
In the graveyard of St. Fechin's Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
is a high cross
High cross
A high cross or standing cross is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors...
with a winged figure above the Crucifixion on the east face, and Christ in Glory on the west face; the rest of the cross is covered in interlacing and geometrical patterns. At the foot of the cross is a slab with a Crucifixion scene (probably 16th century) and nearby is the base of another cross. Built into the porch of St. Fechin's church is a stone with an inscription which reads 'A prayer for Ultan and Dubthach who made this stone fort'.
An Grianan
Termonfeckin is also home to An Grianan, a stately home built in the 18th century which was the first residential adult learning college in Ireland. Owned by the Irish Countrywomen's AssociationIrish Countrywomen's Association
The Irish Countrywomen's Association is the largest women's organisation in Ireland, with over 15,000 members. Founded in 1910, it exists to prove social and educational opportunities for women and to improve the standard of rural and urban life in Ireland...
, it fulfills many of that organisation's educational and social requirements. An Grianan was also a horticultural college until 2003. An Grianan featured in a recent RTE
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
series; ICA bootcamp.
Gaelic games
Termonfeckin is home to St Fechin's G.F.C. Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The 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. St Fechins play in Pairc Naomh Feichin and field both gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
and hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
teams. Although the football team has declined since winning back to back county championships in the mid 80s.The gaelic has had its ups and downs from being senior county championship winners in 1983 and again in 1984, to now being a mid to top table Intermediate club vying for promotion to the higher ranks of Louth club football.The hurling teams have had most success in recent times, winning county championships in 2004 and 2006.Founded in 1947
Golf
There are two linksLinks (golf)
A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes from the Scots language and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland. It also retains this more general meaning in the Scottish English dialect...
courses in the area. Seapoint Golf Club is located in Termonfeckin, and Co Louth Golf Club is located in Baltray
Baltray
Baltray is a village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It sits on the northern shore of the River Boyne estuary....
. (The latter hosted the Irish Open
Irish Open (golf)
The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
in 2004 and 2009.)
Natives and residents of note
- Evanna LynchEvanna LynchEvanna Patricia Lynch is an Irish actress who rose to prominence playing Luna Lovegood, a supporting role in the Harry Potter film series adapted from the book series of the same name. Lynch was cast as Luna at the age of 14, having previously acted only in school plays...
, actress, starred in the Harry Potter filmsHarry Potter (film series)The Harry Potter film series is a British-American film series based on the Harry Potter novels by the British author J. K. Rowling...
as Luna Lovegood - Molesworth Phillips, who sailed with Captain Cook on his last voyage to the Pacific and who was present at his death in Hawaii. Molesworth had an estate in Termonfeckin and lived there for a time in the 1790s. His wife, Susan Burney, was a sister of the famous English author, Fanny BurneyFanny BurneyFrances Burney , also known as Fanny Burney and, after her marriage, as Madame d’Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She was born in Lynn Regis, now King’s Lynn, England, on 13 June 1752, to musical historian Dr Charles Burney and Mrs Esther Sleepe Burney...
. - Des SmythDes SmythDesmond John Smyth is an Irish professional golfer.Smyth was born in Drogheda, County Louth. He turned professional in 1974 and was a member of the European Tour for over a quarter of a century. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was seventh in 1988...
, former European Tour golfer, Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
Vice Captain and current Champions TourChampions TourThe Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
player - Arthur MathewsArthur Mathews (writer)Arthur Mathews is an Irish comedy writer and actor who, often with writing partner Graham Linehan, has either written or contributed to a number of popular television comedies, most notably Father Ted. He is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology...
, co-writer of sitcom Father TedFather TedFather Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
is formerly a resident.
Annalistic references
- M1053.3 - Cormac Ua Ruadhrach, airchinneach of Tearmann-Feichin ... died.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland