Oughterard

Oughterard (Irish: Uachtar Ard)[2] is a small town on the banks of the Owenriff River close to the western shore of Lough Corrib in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It is located about 26 km (16 mi) northwest of Galway on the N59 road. Oughterard is the chief angling centre on Lough Corrib.[3]

For the townland and ecclesiastical hilltop site in County Kildare, see Oughter Ard.

Oughterard
Irish: Uachtar Ard
Town
Junction of Camp Street and Clifden Road in Oughterard
Junction of Camp Street and Clifden Road in Oughterard
Oughterard is located in Ireland
Oughterard
Oughterard
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°25′00″N 9°20′00″W
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
CountyCounty Galway
Elevation
68 m (223 ft)
Population
 (2022)[1]
1,846
Irish Grid ReferenceM113415

One of the fastest growing towns in Ireland, it had a population of 1,846 in 2022, an increase of 40.1% from the 2016 census.[1]

Places of interest

Three kilometres outside the town stand the ruins of Aughnanure Castle, a well-preserved example of a medieval tower house.[4] Much of the surrounding area was occupied by the O'Flaherty clan, but was taken over by Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster, in 1256. Ross Castle is also located a number of kilometres 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 8 kilometres 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 Mines (abandoned in 1865) is a "show mine" with exhibits on the lead and silver mining history of the area.[5][6]

Oughterard and the Owenriff River c.1890-1910

Transport

Oughterard railway station was opened by the Midland Great Western Railway on 1 January 1895, as part of its line from Galway to Clifden. The station, and the line, were closed by the Great Southern Railways on 29 April 1935.

There are daily buses going from and to Galway and Clifden along the N59. City Link and Bus Éireann are the two bus services that travel to and from Galway.

Amenities

Oughterard has a primary school, 'Scoil Chuimín agus Caitríona',[7] and a co-educational voluntary secondary school, St Paul's.[8] Oughterard also has a public library, which is based in the town's old courthouse,[9] as well as a community centre with a public gymnasium.[10]


Events

Oughterard hosts a fishing festival every year in early May. The festival lasts for four days and includes fishing events, art exhibitions and concerts.[11]

Sport

The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Oughterard GAA, won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship in 2020.[12]

Oughterard Golf Club, located outside the town, was incorporated in 1969 and developed in the early 1970s.[13] It consists of an 18-hole championship course with a club house, pro-shop and restaurant.[14]

People

See also

References
  1. "Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Oughterard". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. "Uachtar Ard/Oughterard". Placenames Database of Ireland. Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  3. O'Reilly, Peter (2003). Rivers of Ireland. 7 Corve St., Ludlow, Shropshire, UK: Merlin Unwine Books. p. 174. ISBN 1-873674-53-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. "Heritage Ireland - Aughnanure Castle". heritageireland.ie. Office of Public Works. Retrieved 9 February 2018. the castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house
  5. "Glengowla Mines". Show Caves. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  6. "Glengowla Mines". Ask About Ireland. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  7. "Scoil Náisiúnta Uachtar Árd". OughterardNS.ie. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  8. "School Homepage". St Paul's Oughterard. Retrieved 19 February 2017. St. Paul's Secondary School is a co-educational voluntary secondary school situated in Oughterard, Co. Galway
  9. "Oughterard Library". Oughterard Tourism. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  10. "Our Facilities". Oughterard Community Centre. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. "International Mayfly Festival event in Galway, Ireland". Galway Tourism. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  12. "Galway's Oughterard beat 13-man Magheracloone to seal All-Ireland intermediate honours". the42.ie. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  13. "Oughterard Golf Club". oughterardheritage.org. Oughterard Culture and Heritage Group. Retrieved 26 October 2019. [Oughterard Gortreevagh Golf Course Ltd] was incorporated on 3rd July 1969 [.and.] development of the Club took place during 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972
  14. "Home". Oughterard Championship Golf Course. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  15. "Kings of the West". Connacht Tribune. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018.
  16. "John Purcell VC". vconline.org.uk. Victoria Cross Online. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  17. "Footballers and film stars – is this the most talented family in Galway?". Connacht Tribune. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  18. Keys, Colm (10 January 2022). "Sean Kelly takes the Galway captain's armband for 2022". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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