Kanturk

Kanturk (Irish: "Ceann Toirc" = Boar's Head, also the town's emblem) is a town in the north west of County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. Kanturk is situated at the confluence of the rivers Allow and Dallow (also Dalua), streaming further on as tributaries into the Blackwater. It is about 50 km (30 miles) from Cork City, Blarney and Limerick City, and lies just north off the main N72 road, 15 km (9 miles) from Mallow and about 40 km (25 miles) from Killarney.

It is a small market town, which after many years with a static population has commenced to grow again. Apart from its creamery which produced casein from milk, a raw material for early plastics, its former knitwear facility now produces concrete flooring products. Kanturk Library offers a wide range of books and publications, including Internet access, the town's schools include Colaiste Trease and Scoil Mhuire (the school of Mary).

History

A significant historical site close to the town is Kanturk Castle, built in 1609. Due to its architectural and historic importance, it is owned by "An Taisce" (National Trust for Ireland). Heritage tourists from the McAuliffe, O'Keeffe, O'Callaghan, Hartnett, Fitzpatrick, Sullivan, Walsh, O'Riordan, and McCarthy families can search for their roots in Kanturk. As families moved during wars and the plantations, some O'Neills, O'Donnells, and other families can date their roots in Kanturk since the Siege of Kinsale.

port

*Kanturk has a thriving rugby club, located just outside the town.
*An eighteen-hole golf course is located on the Mill Road, where milling used to take place.
*A new soccer pitch and facilities are also under construction, and will be open shortly.
*Kanturk also has a vibrant trout fishing club which maintains the rivers that flow through the town. The Dalua from Newmarket flows into the Allow (Freemount River) in the centre of the town. A further mile south of the town the river Brogeen flows into the Allow. The Allow joins the river Blackwater; well know for its salmon fishing, a further 2 miles downstream at Leaders Bridge on the N72 Mallow to Killarney road. In recent years the club has undertaken major regeneration of its waters by installing a salmon pass in Kanturk Park and repairing the damage done in the previous decades aimed at flood prevention. The club has a distinguished history and is frequently represented on the international stage. In 2007, Kanturk Trout Anglers Association has senior, ladies and juvenile members on TAFI (Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland) world championship teams.

Transport

*Kanturk railway station opened on 1 April 1889, closed for passenger traffic on 27 January 1947 and finally closed altogether on 4 February 1963. [cite web | title=Kanturk station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-10-16|format=PDF]

People

Many people of note had their origins in the area, including:
* Thady Quill (1860-1932), historical rake.
* Patrick Guiney (1862-1913), nationalist MP. from 1910 to 1913
* D.D. Sheehan B.L. (1874-1948), labour activist and parliamentarian MP. from 1901 to 1918
* Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877-1946), suffragette and author
* Pat O'Callaghan, Dr. (1905-1991), twice Olympic Gold Medal winner
* Pádraig A. Ó Síocháin S.C. (1905-1995), author and Irish language activist
* Edel Quinn (1907-1944), missionary worker declared Venerable in 1994
* Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair

ee also

* List of towns in the Republic of Ireland
* Market Houses in the Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.feileduthalla.com/ Féile Dúthalla Kanturk: Talk & Music Series & other cultural events]
* [http://www.kanturktown.com Kanturk website]
* [http://www.geocities.com/kanturktown/ Kanturk town Geocities - Kanturk]