Urlingford (Irish: Áth na nUrlainn, meaning 'Ford of the slaughter'[2]) is a town in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is also a civil parish within the barony of Galmoy.[3] The town is in the north west of the county, along the boundary with County Tipperary, 16 km north-east of Thurles.

Urlingford
Irish: Áth na nUrlainn
Town
The Mason's Apron, Urlingford
The Mason's Apron, Urlingford
Urlingford is located in Ireland
Urlingford
Urlingford
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°43′13″N 7°34′57″W / 52.7203°N 7.5826°W / 52.7203; -7.5826
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Kilkenny
Elevation
120 m (390 ft)
Population1,038
Time zoneUTC 0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceS282633

Access

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The town lies on the R639. The M8 motorway runs just west of the town, from which both Urlingford and nearby Johnstown are accessed via Junction Four. Urlingford is a bus hub, with major operator JJ Kavanagh and Sons based there.[4][better source needed] Situated 125 km (78 mi) from Dublin and 129 km (80 mi) from Cork, Urlingford has long been a resting point for travellers halfway between the Republic of Ireland's two largest cities. As a result, until May 2012 the Bus Éireann Dublin to Cork bus service called here. It is now replaced by route 828 from Portlaoise which connects with express bus at Cashel and the 858 Portlaoise to Thurles service also serves the town.[5]

Toponymy

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The Irish name Áth na nUrlainn means "ford of the slaughter" and has been anglicised as Aghnenurlin, Aghnenoorlin, Awnanoorlin and similar.[2]

History

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In 1526, Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond, gave possession of the lands of Urlingford to John Tobin and Nicolas Mothing (chaplins).[12] The earlier settlement was focused around the castle, church and graveyard.[13]

The town had an organised planned growth with traditional plot patterns.[13] It was built over a cut-over bog, an extension to the Templetuohy Bog,[13] much of which has been reclaimed.[14] Urlingford is a linear town around the focused primary axis, the Main Street.[13] In 1837 it was the centre of manufacture of coarse stuffs, flannels, and worsteds, and carries on an extensive retail trade with the surrounding districts.[15]

The town was recorded on Griffith's Valuation in 1864.[16] Urlingford has taken part in the Tidy Towns Competition.[17]

Rivers

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A minor tributary of the River Nore, the River Goul, enters the town from the southeast.[13] It sources 6 kilometers away from the town in the Slieveardagh hills. The river passes under the Main Street and towards the bridge at Urlingford Castle (and mill).[13]

Buildings

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There is a library in Urlingford[18] which is based in the old courthouse.[19] Urlingford Castle and mill are located in Urlingford.[13]

Sport

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Emeralds GAA is a junior Gaelic Athletic Association club, founded in 1972.

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b (CSO, Census 2016 – Sapmap Area: Settlements Urlingford)
  2. ^ a b (Fiontar 2008, Áth na nUrlainn/Urlingford)
  3. ^ Down Survey Project. "Map of Urlingford Parish in the barony of Galmoy". downsurvey.tcd.ie. The Down Survey Project. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. ^ "JJ Kavanagh Bus Company". Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 16 February 2007.
  5. ^ "Bus Éireann to Provide Daily Services from Portlaoise to Urlingford and Cashel" (Press release). Bus Éireann and Expressway. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  6. ^ (OHPR, p. 8, Comparative abstract, Ireland, 1831) and (OHPR, p. 40, Abstract, Ireland, 1831)
  7. ^ (OHPR, p. 56, Report, Ireland, 1841)
  8. ^ (OHPR, p. 93, County of Kilkenny, 1851)
  9. ^ (CSO, 1936 Population Data)
  10. ^ (CSO, 1946 Population Data)
  11. ^ (CSO, Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area)
  12. ^ (Carrigan 1905, p. 23, Existing Civil Divisions or Baronies)
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Urban Design Study for Urlingford" (PDF). kilkennycoco.ie. Kilkenny County Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  14. ^ (Tighe 1802, p. 4, Bog, Mountain)
  15. ^ Lewis 1837, URLINGFORD Parish
  16. ^ (Griffith 1864, Urlingford Search)
  17. ^ "Adjudication Report" (PDF). Tidy Towns Competition 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Home". Kilkenny County Library Service. Kilkenny County Council. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  19. ^ Buildings of Ireland. "Urlingford Public Library (Urlingford Courthouse), Urlingford, County Kilkenny". buildingsofireland.ie. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.

Sources

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