Clogherhead

Clogherhead (Irish: Ceann Chlochair, meaning rocky headland) is a fishing village in County Louth, Ireland. Located in a natural bay on the East Coast it is bordered by the villages of Annagassan to the north and Termonfeckin to the south. With an administrative population per the 2011 Census of 3026, it is in the townlands of Clogher and Callystown, about 12 km (7 mi) northeast of Drogheda. As a seaside village its main industries are fishing and farming. In keeping with its links to the sea there has been an RNLI lifeboat stationed in the village for over 100 years. The current boat is a Mersey class lifeboat, the RNLB Doris Bleasedale, and is unique in Ireland being beach-launched. Following lobbying by the local residents, fishermen and political representatives, Clogherhead now has one of the finest piers in Ireland which was opened following an investment in excess of €2 million.

Name

Historically, the village was known simply as Clogher (Clochair) or Killclogher (Cill Chlochair) while the headland was called Clogher Head. Today the headland remains Clogher Head, the village is called Clogherhead and the townland they are in is called Clogher.

The headland has a walking trail from the village along steep sea cliffs to the nearby harbour of Port Oriel (Port Oirialla). From the headland and at the harbour there are views of Ireland's east coast from the Mourne and Cooley Mountains in the north as far south as Lambay Island and the Rockabill Lighthouse.

The headland is also the sight of the Red Mans Cave, where Cromwellian soldiers are reputed to have put to death a number of Catholic Priests during the time of the Cromwellian Wars of 1649. The inside of the Cave has until recent times been repainted red to commemorate the event. However time and the forces of nature have made the cave largely inaccessible from land.

Public transport

Bus Éireann route 189 serves Clogherhead, linking it to Drogheda, Duleek and Ashbourne. Most buses operate via Termonfeckin and Baltray though a few go via Grangebellew and Ballymakenny. Drogheda railway station is approximately 13 km distant.

Economy

Clogherhead is a tourist destination, and the village has a sandy Blue Flag beach which extends from near the lifeboat station and on to the Boyne estuary.

The last two years have seen the revival of the Clogherhead Prawn Festival which attracts crowds to the village to partake in the weekend of family oriented events.

Port Oriel is a fishing port with one of the largest fleets in the country. Port Oriel is also used as a base for the construction of the offshore Oriel Wind Farm.

Amenities

The village has two main beaches. Port Beach in the center of the village is a Blue Flag beach with the Neptune watersports centre which is run by the local Council. In addition it is the location for the local RNLI lifeboat station which houses a Mersey class lifeboat, the Doris Bleasdale. The other beach is on the north of the village and is known as the 'Big Strand'. Both have bathing facilities with a lifeguard on duty at the village beach during summer months.

There are three public houses in the village, with accommodating and music at weekends. The village has a number of restaurants including La Pizzeria (Italian), the Little Strand Restaurant (Seafood and meat dishes), Great Wall Chinese Restaurant and Roberto's Take Away.

Film location

Clogherhead has been used as a film location for:

• Perrier's Bounty (in production 2008), starring Cillian Murphy, Jim Broadbent and Brendan Gleeson
• The Devil's Own (Columbia Pictures, 1997) starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt
• Captain Lightfoot (Universal Studios, 1955) starring Rock Hudson and Barbara Rush

Education

Callystown National School (a Catholic School under the Trusteeship of the Archbishop of Armagh) has been in "official" existence since 1832. It is located on the north side of the village with access through the estate of John Kirk Park. It now has over 300 pupils and has been extended a number of times to cater for the population growth in the village and an influx of pupils from the surrounding areas.

Music

• Songs featuring this town include "Is Clogherhead Like it Used to Be".(see www.callystownnationalschool.i.e. and source podcast 9)

Notable people

• Albert Cashier (otherwise Jennie Irene Hodgers) – born in Clogherhead he/she was a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
• At some point before his final incarceration, Saint Oliver Plunkett took refuge in a church that once stood in the townland of Killartry in the parish of Clogherhead.
• Richard Fahey, leading UK-based racehorse trainer

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clogherhead