Knockcroghery

Infobox Irish Place
name = Knockcroghery
gaeilge = Cnoc an Chrocaire
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 66px; top: 79px
north coord = 53.5667 | west coord = 8.1 | irish grid = M934574
area = | elevation = 82 m
province = Connacht
county = County Roscommon
population = | town pop = | rural pop =
census yr = 2002
web = |

Knockcroghery ( _ga. Cnoc an Chrocaire) is a village in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located on the N61 road between Athlone and Roscommon town.

Name

The Irish name "Cnoc an Chrocaire" translates as the "Hill of the Hanger/Hanging Thing", so called because of a "hanging" ring-fort on the hill. There is a (mistaken) belief that the correct meaning is "Hangman's Hill." Historians say that this view - that there was an established place of execution here - is inconsistent with the small population in the area of Knockcroghery throughout the ages. Nearby, Lecarrow and Roscommon, on the other hand would have had substantial populations in the past, large enough to support a regular executioner.

Economy

For over 250 years the village was famous for the production of the tobacco clay pipe, or "Dúidín". By the late 1800s there were up to 100 people involved in the manufacture and distribution of the village’s clay pipes. Production ceased abruptly on 19 June, 1921 when the village was burned down by the Black and Tans during the Irish War of Independence. Today, a visitor centre and workshop are located on the original site of Andrew and P.J. Curley’s pipe factory, where pipes are handcrafted using the original methods of production. Knockcroghery is also known for its clay-pipe making. The clay-pipe visitors centre is located in the middle of the village and sells clay-pipes, ogham writing, framed clay-pipes and much more.

Places of interest

*Nearby at Gailey Bay on the shore of Lough Ree, stands Gailey Castle, built in the 14th century. Out in the lake is the island of Inishcleraun named after a sister of Queen Maeve, Clothra. Queen Maeve is said to have been killed here by an enemy while she was bathing.
*Also in the area stands Scregg House, seat of the Kelly family. On the grounds of the house are some excellent examples of Sheela na Gigs. The building itself is an example of a 3-storey 5-bay mid-18th century country house.

People

Knockcroghery is known by many as the home of Roscommon's famous All-Ireland winning captain Jimmy Murray(5 May 1917 - 23 January 2007). He captained Roscommon to their only two All-Ireland Senior Football title wins in 1943 and 1944. He was also captain in their 1946 final and replay against Kerry. As the 1943 final also went to a replay, he is the only man to have captained a team in five All-Ireland senior football finals. His public house is a well-known landmark and revered by lovers of Gaelic football from all parts of Ireland.

Events

The Knockcroghery Fair is a festival held annually, generally on the third weekend in September, which attracts people from all over Ireland.

Transport

*Knockcroghery railway station opened on 13 February 1860 and finally closed on 17 June 1963. [cite web | title=Knockcroghery station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-10-28]

ee also

*Roscommon
*County Roscommon
*Athlone
*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.irelands-sheelanagigs.org/index.php?id=96 Sheela na Gigs at Scregg]
* [http://www.craftireland.com/nonmembers/list.asp?customer_id=564 Clay Pipe Visitors Centre]
* [http://www.gaileybay.com Gailey Bay Caravan & Camping Park,] Knockcroghery.
* [http://www.roscommon.ie Roscommon.ie] - Online Resource for Visitors and Locals alike.
* [http://www.naomhdominic.com St. Dominics GAA club] - Local Gaelic Athletic Association club.