Termonfeckin

Termonfeckin or Termonfechin (Irish: Tearmann Feichín, meaning 'Féchín's church land')[2] is a small village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is within the parish of the same name, and lies repeatedly 8 km (5.0 mi) north-east of Drogheda. The population of the village almost quadrupled in the period between the 1996 and 2022 census, growing from 530 to 1,983 inhabitants.[1][3]

Termonfeckin
Tearmann Feichín (Irish)
Village
St Féchín's Church
St Féchín's Church
Termonfeckin is located in Ireland
Termonfeckin
Termonfeckin
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°46′N 6°16′W
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Louth
Municipal DistrictDrogheda Borough District
Dáil constituencyLouth
EU ParliamentMidlands–North-West
Elevation
25 m (82 ft)
Population
 (2022)[1]
1,983
Irish Grid ReferenceO142806

History

Tradition suggests that a medieval monastery was founded in the village by Saint Feichin of Fore in the 7th century.[4][5] The monastic settlement was plundered by Vikings in 1013 and by the clan Ui-Crichan of Farney in 1025. The monastery was plundered again a century later (in 1149) by raiders from Bregia (Meath).[5]

The village gained ecclesiastical importance in the late 12th century when an Augustinian monastery was founded in the village. A convent of nuns, also of the Augustinian order, was established shortly afterwards and while the monastery didn't survive, the convent flourished in Termonfeckin up until its eventual closure in 1540, following the Reformation of Henry VIII.

In medieval times it was a royal manor, possession of which might be granted to Crown servants in good standing, as in 1361.[6]

Economy

Termonfeckin is primarily dependent on the farming industry. Tourism also contributes to the local economy, and nearby Baltray and Seapoint, with their coasts and golf courses, attract visitors.

Transport

Bus Éireann route 189 serves Termonfeckin several times a day (but not Sundays) linking it to Drogheda, Duleek, Ashbourne and Clogherhead. Most buses operate via Baltray though a few go via Grangebellew and Ballymakenny.[7] Drogheda railway station is approximately 9 kilometres distant.

Historical features

Termonfeckin Castle

The extant castle in Termonfeckin is a 15th- or 16th-century tower house of three storeys, with good trefoil headed windows. Its most unusual feature is the corbelled roof, similar to the technique used for the Newgrange chamber roof, which is on the third storey. This castle was damaged in the Irish Rebellion of 1641 but was later repaired by Captain Brabazon. It is now a National Monument.

Former Primate's Castle
Termonfeckin Castle
Termonfeckin High Cross, built in the 9th or 10th century

Until the early 19th century Termonfeckin also had another castle. This was the Primate's Castle which was used for several centuries by the Archbishops of Armagh (including Richard Creagh) as an auxiliary residence to their episcopal quarters in nearby Drogheda. After the Reformation, several Protestant Archbishops resided periodically in Termonfeckin. The castle's most famous occupant at this time was James Ussher who was Protestant Archbishop of Armagh from 1625 to 1656. He used the castle in Termonfeckin for much of his term up until 1640 when he departed for England, never to return. The castle was damaged in the 1641 Rebellion and was not repaired. It fell into disuse and was eventually demolished around 1830.

High Cross

In the graveyard of St. Fechin's Church of Ireland is a high cross with a winged figure above the Crucifixion on the east face, and Christ in Glory on the west face; the rest of the cross is covered in interlacing and geometrical patterns. At the foot of the cross is a slab with a Crucifixion scene (probably 16th-century) and nearby is the base of another cross. Built into the porch of St. Fechin's church is a stone with an inscription that reads 'A prayer for Ultan and Dubthach who made this stone fort'.

An Grianan

Termonfeckin is also home to An Grianan, a stately home built in the 18th century which was the first residential adult learning college in Ireland. Owned by the Irish Countrywomen's Association, it fulfils many of that organisation's educational and social requirements. An Grianan was also a horticultural college until 2003.

Sport

Gaelic games

Termonfeckin is home to St Fechin's G.A.A. Gaelic Athletic Association club. St Fechins play in Páirc Naomh Feichin and field both Gaelic football and hurling teams. In Gaelic football, the club were Louth Senior Football Championship winners in 1983 and 1984, but now plays in the county's Intermediate Club Championship. The club's hurling teams won the Louth Senior Hurling Championship in 2021 and 2022.[8]

Golf

There are two links courses in the area. Seapoint Golf Club is located in Termonfeckin, and County Louth Golf Club is located in Baltray.

Football

In 1997, Termonfeckin's senior football club was founded, with a junior team added in 2008. At the start of the 2015/2016 season, the club started a girls' junior football team.

Notable people

Annalistic references
  • M1053.3 - Cormac Ua Ruadhrach, airchinneach of Tearmann-Feichin ... died.

See also

References
  1. "Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Termonfeckin". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. "Tearmann Feichín/Termonfeckin". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  3. "Termonfeckin (Ireland) Census Town". City Population. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  4. Egan, Barbara (19 January 2020). "Termonfeckin is a small village with big appeal". thetimes.co.uk. The Sunday Times (UK). Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  5. Murphy, Donald (1988). "Townland Survey of County Louth". Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society. 21 (4): 398–406. JSTOR 27729654.
  6. Patent Roll 35 Edward III, grant of Termonfeckin to John de Rednesse
  7. "Planned Revision to Route 189/189A Ashbourne-Drogheda -Clogher Head-Grangebellow service - Press Centre - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  8. "St Fechin's successfully defend Louth SHC crown". Hogan Stand. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  9. "Potter girl Evanna speaks only to the Drogheda Independent". Drogheda Independent. Independent News & Media. 8 February 2006. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012.
  10. Quaile, Declan (2001). "Catholic Clergy Who Served in Termonfeckin". Termonfeckin Historical Society. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022.
  11. Robson, John (2014). "Molesworth Phillips (1755-1832)". Cook's Log. 37 (3): 13 – via Captain Cook Society.
  12. Quaile, Declan (2005). "An Eighteenth Century Family at Bellcotton". Termonfeckin Historical Society Review. No. 5.
  13. "Molesworth Phillips (1755-1832)". The Captain Cook Society (CCS). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
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