Forkhill

Forkhill (Irish: from the Middle Irish oircél, probably meaning trough or valley. Cited as follows in translation: "we were in Forkill [in orcél], Slieve Fuad to the west of us, Slieve Gullion to the east". Attempts at explaining the origin of the name are invariabley based on later occurrences of the name in Irish documents and are wrong. Forkill, sometimes spelled wrongly Forkhill because of the steep inclines into the village from all sides, is a small village in south County Armagh, Northern Ireland, close to the border with County Louth in the Republic of Ireland. It is close to both Newry and Dundalk and lies in the foothills of Slieve Gullion beside Mullaghbawn . In the 2001 Census it had a population of 366 people. In 1837 it had 152 people. It lies within the Newry and Mourne District Council area.

A £550,000 community project comprising retail/office units and a light industrial unit was developed by Forkhill and District Development Association and funded by the Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme (CRISP). It opened in May 2004. With the demilitarization of British Army presence in South Armagh, the site of the old army barracks is up for review for future developments.

Forkhill Singing Weekend is every October. Singer and songwriter Paula Flynn is native of Forkhill.

History

The Troubles

For more information see The Troubles in Forkhill, which includes a list of incidents in Forkhill during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities.

Sport

Forkhill is the home of Peadar O'Doirnin Gaelic Football Club.

Education

• St. Oliver Plunkett's Primary School

References

• NI Neighbourhood Information System
• Lewis's Topographical Dictionary, 1837
• Culture Northern Ireland
• Community Building Opens in Forkhill

External links

• Peadar O'Doirnin Gaelic Football Club

See also

• List of villages in Northern Ireland
• List of towns in Northern Ireland

Coordinates: 54°05′N, 6°27′W

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