Knockanore

Knockanore is a rural village in County Waterford, situated approximately 9 miles from neighbouring towns Youghal (County Cork) and Tallow (also in County Waterford).The name itself is derived from the Irish 'Cnoc an Fhómhair,' or 'Cnoc an Óir,' which translates as 'The Hill of Autumn/Gold,' an ode to the many yellow furze bushes which once were plentiful in the area. Today, the village and the surrounding parish serves agricultural purposes primarily and a significant percentage of local families have some connection with agriculture in Knockanore. It is a very ancient parish, being formerly known as the parishes of Kilcockan, Kilwatermoy and Templemichael. Knockanore is also situated on a designated scenic routeway.

Population

According to the 2006 census of population, there are altogether 890 persons living in the total area that the united parishes cover. Areas such as Kilcockan (incorporating the village of Knockanore also) and Kilwatermoy West have decreased in population very slightly since 2002, while areas like Templemichael/Glendine and Kilwatermoy East have seen a slight population increase since 2002. Population distribution is represented mainly by scattered settlement, given the rural nature of the area.

Size

The village itself is officially located within one linear mile, reaching from the townland of Kilcockan to the south to just above the hub of the village itself, on the northern side. Local facilities include a public house 'The Shamrock Inn,' a post office, a Catholic church and a national school. Currently a community hall is being built beside the school and is expected to become functional in 2008 at the latest. It will cater for various community functions and events.

The United Parishes

Knockanore is one of the 'United Parishes,' which collectively span a much wider area than the village itself. The other parishes are Glendine, which reach southwards almost to Youghal. To the northern side lies Kilwatermoy, which reaches almost to Tallow. As a result the parish is served by three churches, one at each of these locations. The above population figure accounts for the number of people within these three parishes.

Local Organisations/Functions

Knockanore is home to the Shamrocks Hurling Club, which is at intermediate level in the West Waterford division. The club is served by the John F. Kennedy park in Knockanore, which was first opened in 1963 and later refurbished in the last decade.

Knockanore also hosts an annual Fete in the hurling park, which usually takes place in late June or early July. Local stalls are complemented by a vintage display, followed by (usually) night entertainment in the Shamrock Inn. The festival runs for a three days, and up until 2006, hosted an annual 'Choosing and Crowning of Festival Queen,' a pageant whereby the festival queen is chosen to represent the festival for that year.

Currently, the Blackwater Ladies Club, based in the area, meet regularly in the Shamrock Inn. Other informal groups such as set-dancing and traditional Irish music existed in Knockanore but these have since become defunct.

Local businesses include Knockanore Kabins, a portable cabin manufacturer, Baldwin's Farmhouse Ice Cream and Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, situated on the farm of a local dairy farmer. Also in the area is Faulkner's Craft Shop.

Another annual event is the local Ploughing Championship, which is usually held in or around the village in late September of each year. A local committee establishes the annual location, and it is attended by many competitors, many of whom come from various parts of Munster. The various classes in the competition mean young and old compete, including a vintage class and a farmerette class, both of which are usually popular. At the end of the day (usually a Saturday), competitors are treated to a meal in the Shamrock Inn where the prizewinners are also announced.