| Clonakilty Cloich na Coillte |
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| Location | ||
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| Irish grid reference W381417 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Munster | |
| County: | Cork | |
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Population (2006) |
3745[citation needed] 409[citation needed] |
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| Website: www.clonakilty.ie | ||
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | %± |
| 1821 | 4,033 | — |
| 1831 | 3,807 | −5.6% |
| 1841 | 3,993 | 4.9% |
| 1851 | 3,297 | −17.4% |
| 1861 | 3,108 | −5.7% |
| 1871 | 3,568 | 14.8% |
| 1881 | 3,676 | 3.0% |
| 1891 | 3,221 | −12.4% |
| 1901 | 3,098 | −3.8% |
| 1911 | 2,961 | −4.4% |
| 1926 | 2,770 | −6.5% |
| 1936 | 2,961 | 6.9% |
| 1946 | 2,825 | −4.6% |
| 1951 | 2,742 | −2.9% |
| 1956 | 2,517 | −8.2% |
| 1961 | 2,417 | −4.0% |
| 1966 | 2,422 | 0.2% |
| 1971 | 2,430 | 0.3% |
| 1981 | 2,698 | 11.0% |
| 1986 | 2,786 | 3.3% |
| 1991 | 2,812 | 0.9% |
| 1996 | 2,970 | 5.6% |
| 2002 | 3,698 | 24.5% |
| 2006 | 4,154 | 12.3% |
| [1][2][3][4][5] | ||
Clonakilty (Irish: Cloich na Coillte, Clanna Chaoilte), often referred to by locals simply as Clon, is a small town on the N71 national secondary road in West County Cork, Ireland, approximately 45 minutes away by road to the west of Cork City. The town is on the southern coast of the island, and is surrounded by hilly country devoted primarily to dairy farming, the region having an impressive dairy yield.[6]. Population 4,154 (3745+409) [1].
The centre of the town is attractive,[who?] with the store fronts of the shops and restaurants painted in bright colours. Many tourists, particularly from the United Kingdom and the United States, are attracted to Clonakilty during the summer months, and the population of the town can swell by as many as 3,000 visitors at this time, with many staying in nearby Inchydoney. Visitors go to several nearby beaches, visit the pubs, walk in the local countryside, or visit local attractions such as The West Cork Model Railway Village and Lios-na-gCon Ringfort
The town won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1999 and every year since has gained awards for its environmental efforts. The cleanliness is the result in part of the voluntary efforts of local shopkeepers and staff. In 2003 Clonakilty also became Ireland’s first ever official Fair Trade Town. In 2007 it was awarded the status of European Destination of Excellence by the European Commission at a ceremony in Portugal and is Ireland's first recipient of this prestigious title.
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History
Michael Collins, who was leader of the IRA and later the Free State movement, which campaigned for independence from Britain 1920-21 period, lived in Clonakilty and attended the local boys' national school. He is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading historical figures. He was killed by republicans during the Civil War. He gave many an oration from O'Donovan's Hotel on the Main Street of Clonakilty. -
A monumental statue of Michael Collins by local artist Kevin Holland was erected in the centre of Clonakilty and dedicated in 2002.
Kennedy Gardens at Emmett square in the centre of town are named after John F. Kennedy.
Transport
- The nearest airport to the town is Cork Airport
- Bus Éireann provides frequent coach links from Clonakilty to Cork and Skibbereen.[2]
- Clonakilty was one of the destinations on the West Cork Railway, an Irish mainline railway from Cork City to various parts of West Cork, shut down in 1961. See Irish railway history. Clonakilty railway station opened on 28 August 1886, but finally closed on 1 April 1961.[7]
- There's a summer time bus link to Killarney via the N71 road through Skibbereen, Bantry, Glengarriff and Kenmare.
Culture
Clonakilty's position as a centre of music, both traditional and contemporary, has helped this small town to become a thriving melting pot of musicians. Clonakilty's bars host live music nights throughout the year and it is possible to find live music on most nights. Many famous musicians have found a welcome and a home here, and have contributed much to the energy and vibrancy of the town. The late Noel Redding made Clonakilty his home as did singer-songwriter Roy Harper. Monday Night Trad Sessions, O'Donovans Tuesday Trad and Shanley's Famous Music Bar main venues. Summer afternoon sessions in Scannells beer garden with Dave and Friends, De Barras Folk Club presents famous acts like folk legend Christy Moore. Sharon Shannon and Frances Black Setmaker play here regularly.
Clonakilty is also known for its Clonakilty Black Pudding, made of fried or grilled pig's offal in intestines. There is a butcher's shop (Twomey's) in Pearse Street where the product originated. The puddings are now mass produced at a factory in Little Island (Cork City). "Irish Yogurts" is a well-known brand produced in the town from local milk.
Sport
Clonakilty has a GAA club, two soccer clubs (Clonakilty A.F.C, Clonakilty Town) and a rugby club The teams have been successful in recent years winning the Cork County Senior Football Championship in 2009, 1996, and being runners up in the 2003 competition. They also became a senior rugby club in 2001 and currently play in Division 2 of the All Ireland Rugby League. Clonakilty won their first adult hurling county title when they won the Cork County Minor "B" Championship in 2007. Clonakilty Town F.C. won Division 2 of the West Cork League in recent years, meanwhile Clonakilty A.F.C. won the Beamish Cup.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Market Houses in Ireland
- Clonakilty (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
- Michael Collins (Irish Leader)
References
- ^ Census for post 1821 figures.
- ^ http://www.histpop.org
- ^ http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census
- ^ Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". in Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A.. Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
- ^ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November), "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850", The Economic History Review Volume 37 (Issue 4): 473–488, doi:, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
- ^ Clonakilty Agricultural College
- ^ "Clonakilty station". Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Clonakilty |
External links
- Official Web site (Clonakilty town council)
- Talk of the Town. Community Website for Clonakilty
- Clonakilty Town Twinning Association
- Clonakilty.biz
- Ireland's First Fair Trade Town
- Clonakilty Town Information Website
- Clonakilty Macra Club
- Clonakilty Walking Group
- Clonakilty History and Pictures
- Clonakilty Travel Information
- Clonakilty Community College
- http://www.clonafc.com/
- Clonakilty GAA club
- Clonakilty Black pudding
- Clonakilty & Darara Parish (RC)
- The Tidy Towns of Ireland "Celebrating 50 years"
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