Croagh

Croagh (Irish: Cróch)^[2] is a small village and civil parish in County Limerick, Ireland. It is located in mid-Limerick between Rathkeale and Adare just off the N21 national primary road,^[3] approximately 22 kilometres (14 miles) southwest of Limerick City. The village was originally part of this route before construction of the Croagh by-pass in 1986.^[4] The village is in the agricultural area known as the Golden Vale.

Croagh Cróch
Village
Main Street in Croagh village
Croagh Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°32′03″N 08°52′14″W
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Limerick
Population  (2016)[1]	216
Irish grid reference	R408428

Name

According to the Placenames Database of Ireland, the meaning and derivation of Croagh (Cróch) is unclear.^[2] Over the centuries, Croagh has been known by a number of names, including Moycro (1239), Croch (1416), Croth (1452), Croghe (1586), Croaghstowne (1669) and Cruach (1840).^[5]

History

Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort and fulacht fiadh sites in the townlands of Croagh, Adamswood and Ballycannon.^[6][7] The ruins of a medieval church and enclosure lie in the village.^[8] The current Catholic church, which is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and was built c. 1830,^[9] is one of several protected structures within the village.^[10]

Amenities and sport

Croagh, which had a population of 216 as of the 2016 census,^[1] has a national (primary) school with an enrollment of approximately 70 children.^[11] Other amenities include a Catholic church, garden centre, childcare facility, medical centre, music school, pubs, nursing home, community centre, a village park and sports ground.^[3]

The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Croagh-Kilfinny, won the 2020 Limerick Junior Hurling Championship (played in 2021 due to Covid restrictions), as well as the Limerick Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2024.^{[12] [13]}

Shountrade AFC, an association football club, was founded in 1987 in Croagh.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of towns and villages in County Limerick

Further reading

• Lewis, Samuel (1837). "Croagh, a parish". A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. Dublin: Lewis.