Caragh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Caragh Cearthach |
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WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
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| Irish grid reference N844218 |
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| Province: | Leinster | |
| County: | County Kildare | |
| Elevation: | 117.5 m | |
| Population (2006) | 1,492 | |
| Website: www.caragh.net | ||
Caragh is a village in County Kildare, Ireland. It is located on the R409 regional road between the River Liffey and the Grand Canal approximately 4 km north-west of Naas. The village is also 8 km from Clane and 15 km from Newbridge. Caragh is also know as the parish that includes the village itself, surrounding townlands and Prosperous village which is situated about 3 km noth-west from the village.
The main features in the village are a notably large Roman Catholic church (Our Lady & St. Joseph), a shop (Centra), a pub (Coffeys), a national primary school and Mondello motor racing circuit (approx. 1.5 km from village centre).
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[edit] Geography
The village is situated in the northern half of County Kildare approximately 3 km north-west of junction 10 of the M7 motorway. The river Liffey flows adjacent to the village. There is a single traffic lane bridge crossing the Liffey approaching Caragh on the R409 from the south. A local historian claims that it is the oldest bridge still in existence on the entire course of the river.
The Bog of Allen, a peatland region that covers large parts of central Ireland, borders the village.
The Dublin to Cork railway line runs through the village, however, there is no railway station.
The Grand Canal also runs past Caragh and near-by is the Leinster Aqueduct. This point is where the Grand Canal crosses over the river Liffey.
[edit] Demographics and economy
Caragh village has seen many new building developments in recent years. The addition of four new housing developments has boosted the population of the village to 1,492 people (source: CSO Census 2006). According to the 2002 census, the population was 901 people. There are a 221 houses in the village proper.
The village and parish form part of the Kildare South electoral division.
Kildare County Council, OSI and other government bodies and agencies use the spelling "Carragh". This spelling is used only on official maps, planning notices and other official documents.
[edit] Sport and amenities
Gaelic Football There are two Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in Caragh. The football club is Raheens, its grounds are located at Tom Lawlor Park, approximately 0.5 km from the village. The grounds consist of one floodlight pitch and purpose built dressing rooms. The local community hall of Caragh is situated adjacent to the pitch which is also used for indoor training during winter. See also: Caragh GAA.
Hurling The local hurling club is Éire Óg/Corrchoill. This club is an amalgamation of the two former clubs associated with the two villages Prosperous and Caragh. The club has new grounds for underage teams at Donore.
Football The football team in Caragh is called Caragh Celtic F.C. and they play their home games at a pitch in Donore. The grounds are very basic with no formal club house or dressing rooms.
Fishing There is a fishing club in Caragh and they meet at the Liffey Bridge and on the Osberstown Road towards Sallins. There is also some recreational fishing on the Grand Canal.
Hunting A couple of times each year there is a cross country hunt which uses the land around the area of Caragh. They meet at Digby Bridge on the Grand Canal.
[edit] Notable people from Caragh
- JJ Power - Irish Green Party member and unsuccessful candidate for election in Kildare South for the 2007 General Election [1].
- Sean Power - member of Fianna Fáil and TD for the constituency South Kildare [2].
