Feenagh, County Limerick
Village in County Limerick, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Feenagh (Irish: Fíodhnach, meaning 'wooded place') is a village in west County Limerick, Ireland, ten miles from Newcastle West and six miles from Dromcolliher.[1] The village has one shop which is located on the site of the former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks near the old village pump. There is also a butcher shop.[citation needed]
History
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes several ring fort sites within Feenagh townland.[2]
The village originated as a settlement in Cloncrew.[citation needed] Feenagh/Kilmeedy became a parish in 1851. Saint Ita's Catholic Church in Feenagh, which originally dates from the 18th century, was substantially rebuilt in 1877.[3] The stained glass window at the altar of the church was donated in memory of Hanora Irwin-McMahon, by her brother David McMahon, in 1907.[4]
Feenagh's former national (primary) school building, built in 1847, is now used as a community centre. A new national school, Scoil Naisiunta Fiodhnach, was built in 1970. The area's Carnegie Library was built in 1917.[5]
The creamery built in the 1890s is now a garage. A new housing estate was built on the site where the village forge once stood.[citation needed]
People
- Nollaig Ó Gadhra (1943–2008), Irish language activist, journalist and historian, was born on his family's farm in Feenagh in 1943.[6]
- Rory Kiely (1934–2018), former Fianna Fáil senator and Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann[7]
- Jim McCarthy (1917–1982), hurler with Feenagh–Kilmeedy GAA and the Limerick senior team[citation needed]
- Daniel O'Donovan (fl. 1630–1690), 17th century clan chief[citation needed]