Oughterard
Encyclopedia
Oughterard is a small town on the banks of the Owenriff River close to the western shore of Lough Corrib
in County Galway
, Ireland
. The population of the town in 2006 was 1,305. Located some 26 km northwest of Galway
on the N59
road, Oughterard is the chief angling centre on the lough.
, a well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. Much of the surrounding area was occupied by the O'Flaherty clan, but was taken over by The first Earl of Ulster, Walter de Burgo, in 1256. Ross Castle is also located a number of miles outside Oughterard. The mansion which is visible today was built by the Martin Family in the 17th century but there is some evidence still present of the original castle structure, built in the 15th century by the O'Flaherty Family, in its foundation.
The Quiet Man
Bridge is located 5 miles past Oughterard, down the Leam Road, which was the setting for the 1950s film "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne
and Maureen O'Hara
.
Also close to Oughterard, the Glengowla Mine (abandoned in 1865) is noted for its rare and beautiful octahedral crystals of fluorite and quartz.
2006 the population of Oughterard was 1,305 (after 1,209 at Census 2002); for the urban area the number for 2006 was 2,557 people (after 2,380 at Census 2002).
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib is a lake in the west of Ireland. The River Corrib or Galway river connects the lake to the sea at Galway. It is the second largest lough in Ireland . It covers 178 km² and lies mostly in County Galway with a small area of its northeast corner in County Mayo.The first canal in...
in County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of 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,...
. The population of the town in 2006 was 1,305. Located some 26 km northwest of Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
on the N59
Roads in Ireland
The island of Ireland, comprising Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, has an extensive network of tens of thousands of kilometres of public roads, usually surfaced. These roads have been developed and modernised over centuries, from trackways suitable only for walkers and horses, to...
road, Oughterard is the chief angling centre on the lough.
Places of interest
Three kilometers outside the town stand the ruins of Aughnanure CastleAughnanure Castle
Aughnanure Castle is a tower house in Oughterard, County Galway, in Ireland.-History:The castle was built by the O'Flahertys in the 16th century, one of Connacht's most notable lord families. Aughnanure is one of over 200 tower houses in County Galway, constructed mainly by Gaelic and ...
, a well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. Much of the surrounding area was occupied by the O'Flaherty clan, but was taken over by The first Earl of Ulster, Walter de Burgo, in 1256. Ross Castle is also located a number of miles outside Oughterard. The mansion which is visible today was built by the Martin Family in the 17th century but there is some evidence still present of the original castle structure, built in the 15th century by the O'Flaherty Family, in its foundation.
The Quiet Man
The Quiet Man
The Quiet Man is a 1952 American Technicolor romantic comedy-drama film. It was directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh...
Bridge is located 5 miles past Oughterard, down the Leam Road, which was the setting for the 1950s film "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara is an Irish film actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara has been noted for playing fiercely passionate heroines with a highly sensible attitude. She often worked with director John Ford and longtime friend John Wayne...
.
Also close to Oughterard, the Glengowla Mine (abandoned in 1865) is noted for its rare and beautiful octahedral crystals of fluorite and quartz.
Demography
As per CensusCensus
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 the population of Oughterard was 1,305 (after 1,209 at Census 2002); for the urban area the number for 2006 was 2,557 people (after 2,380 at Census 2002).
People
- Michael Curley (~1850-1884), the father of James Michael CurleyJames Michael CurleyJames Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
, was born in Oughterard - Michael Furey (a character from James JoyceJames JoyceJames Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
's short story "The DeadThe Dead (short story)"The Dead" is the final short story in the 1914 collection Dubliners by James Joyce. It is the longest story in the collection and is often considered the best of Joyce's shorter works. At 15,672 words it has also been considered a novella....
") was buried in Oughterard - Joe ShaughnessyJoe ShaughnessyJoe Shaughnessy is an Irish professional football defender who plays for Forfar Athletic, on loan from Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen.-Aberdeen:...
, a professional footballer with Aberdeen F.C.Aberdeen F.C.Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
was born in Oughterard - Dennis Curran, Chairman of Barhale Construction PLC was born in Oughterard in 1944