<h4>Castlepollard-Lough-Lene.eu</h4>
Castlepollard-Lough-Lene.eu
Introduction
Castlepollard - Cionn Torc (Hill of the Boars), in a district of low hills north of Lough Derravaragh, west of Lough Lene, is a good angling centre for the Westmeath lakelands. Fore Abbey, Randoon, Ranaghan, Turgesius Island, Nun's & Castle islands of Lough Lene are plesent excursions for the alerted visitor.
Near by Tullynally Castle , the residence of Lord Longford , is 2 km west of the village. The gardens are open to the public during the summer season. A large Castellated mansion, it is mentioned several times under its former name of Pakenham Hall in the memoirs of the eighteenth century novelist,
Maria Edgeworth, whose father was a frequent guest there.
Castlepollard
History
Contrary to other inhabited areas surrounding Lough Lene, the Pollard family built the town of Castlepollard in the late 17th century under a Charter of Charles II of England. The town was well laid out, with an extensive triangular green at its centre. The green is still surrounded by 19th century buildings today. In recient years, a sculpture on the square depicts a scene from the famous legend of the Children of Lir, along with a plaque outlining the story in Irish, French, German, and English,languages. Lough Derravaragh, just a few kilometres south of the town, while the gin clear Lough Lene is 1.5 km east.
Neighbouring communities such as Collinstown, Fore, Ranaghan, on higher ground posess a multitude of Ringforts of different sizes, offer testimony to neoltichic inhabitation of the area. Two ancient forts are of special interest, one in the area called Ranaghan, Randoon, south west of Lough Lene, and the second, on the principle island, of Lough Lene, Turgesius' island. The tyrant viking having conquered Dublin, in the year 837, sejourned here on occasions during his travels.
Castlepollard posesses two Churches; a Roman Catholic and one of the Church of Ireland.
The building that currently serves as St. Peter's Centre was originally a notorious home for unmarried mothers run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
Commerce/Industry
Mergon International is one of the main businesses in the town, manufacturing high quality moulded parts. The town has quite a small retail base, consisting of a handful of small shops (Brady's being the best) and a number of pubs, the finest being Jeffrey Neas' pub Town and Country (locally known as the 'T&C') and the Pollard Arms Hotel.
Among some of the more well known residents of the Castlepollard area are the Councilor Frank Mc Dermott, and the businessman Teachta Dála (TD) for Westmeath, Mr. Donie Cassidy.
Sport/Education
The town is Westmeath's [[hurling]] stronghold.(despite being in intermediate ranks for the year 2007). They tend to be in the shadows of local rivals [[Lough Lene Gaels]] and Ringtown hurling clubs (both senior clubs). While Castlepollard tends to favour hurling over [[Gaelic Football]],there is also a strong Gaelic Football club operating in the area. Their website can be accessed at www.ballycomoyle.com (See link under external links below).. The main section of Westmeath's [[Taekwondo]] network is based in Castlepollard.
A new secondary school for the town was due to open in December 2004. It is hoped that this will encourage many who previously went to [[Mullingar]] for secondary education to stay in the town.
Ballycomoyle GAA club
Ballycomoyle GAA club, in North Westmeath, is a gaelic football club catering for underage football through to adults. Ladies, gents boys and girls all have their say. We have a very active underage organisation with a strong emphasis on participation. Everybody gets their game. The last number of years have seen Ladies Gaelic football become Ireland's fastest growing sport and in Ballycomoyle we are no different. We are also involved in Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsear after a long break from these competitions. This website has been setup to help keep the club membership informed of all that is happening in the club from day to day and week to week. Our Secretary's reports for 2005 and 2006 are well worth a visit. Our History pages will be looking further back to some of the memorable years and matches with photographs and text.
External links
* Mergon International
* Ballycomoyle GAA Club"
WGS 84 Coordinates 53 40 N 7 18 W
Gavigan@ireland.com 07 02 2007
Gavigan@ireland.com
Subject=http://www.lough-lene.eu">
