Things to see and do in Crossmolina...
- The Crossmolina Community Festival, now in its sixth year, takes annually at the end of July. In 2011 there was a fantastic line up of things to do including: The Opening Parade, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Nephin Climb, Traders' Race, Pub Quiz, Children's Art Classes and the Children's Fishing Competition, Gardener's World and Open Sports Day, among many others! Contact details: Telephone - 086 2268924, E-mail mbgaughan@hotmail.com , website - www.crossmolina.ie/festiva
- Crossmolina Brownies meet at St Patrick’s Ave, Crossmolina. Children take part in games, crafts, get activity badges and generally have lots of fun! Meetings every Monday evening from 6 – 7 in the town hall. Telephone 09631354 e:mail Rachel@rachelgallagher.ie
- Mayo North Old Engine and Tractor Club - Monthly meetings held at Enniscoe House.; Regular road runs; Dinner Dances; Annual Field Day; Restoration of old tractors and vintage machinery . Contact Details: Phone - 083 3732767, E-mail - mnoetc@yahoo.com , Website: www.mayovintage.org, Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/Mayo-North-Old-Engine-Tractor-Club/11
- Nephin Mountain - for Hill Walkers the Nephin Beg Range offers excellent walks with Nephin Mountain being the highest peak in the range. WESTERN WAY - 155 miles (250km) - this ambitious waymarked walking trail embraces all that is best in the West of Ireland. The route leaves Oughterard and passes through the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara. After passing through Leenaun and visiting Aasleagh Fall, the route crosses a shoulder of the Sheefry Hills and faces the cone of Croagh Patrick. The trail passes along roads through Westport and Newport, then crosses forested terrain to reach Bellacorick and Ballycastle. More roads are followed through Killala and Ballina before the route uses old tracks on the slopes of the Ox Mountains. There is a direct link with the Foxford Way.
Sport
Crossmolina GAA is represented by Crossmolina Deel rovers Bord na Nog. Check out their website on www.deelrovers.com
Crossmolina Foroige is located in the Cluainin Centre on Ballina Street on Fridays from 7.30pm - 9pm. It was founded in 2007 .There are approximately 43 members in the club and 10 leaders. For further information phone 0863973146 or e-mail crossmolinaforoige@gmail.com
Crossmolina Ladies GAA – Gaelic Football GAA Ladies activities for all in the Crossmolina and Lahardane Parish. Ladies GAA training for U12, U14, U16 & amp; Minor Wednesday evening 7pm – 8:30 pm at Crossmolina GAA Pitch . Email: Crossmolinaladiesgaa@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/CrossmolinaLadiesGAA#!/CrossmolinaLadiesGAA
Moffat School of Irish Dancing :The Moffatt school of dancing was founded in July 1990. From small beginnings, the school has grown into one of the largest schools in the west of Ireland.
The school holds classes weekly in many North Mayo venues, with its base in the parish of Crossmolina. Classes cater for beginners right through to open championship level. All age groups are accommodated. Both solo and team dancing is taught to a very high standard. Contact Details: E-mail - sheila_moffatt@yahoo.ie Website : - www.moffattschoolofirishdancing,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=142926809077884&v=wall
Also Nearby
History
Crossmolina town is divided into two almost equal sized sections by the River Deel. The parish of Crossmolina with its ancient cloisters and its old world castles, its scenes of sanctity of destruction and tragedy is an area rich in historical interest.
Errew Abbeys was founded by St. Tiernan the patron saint of Crossmolina in the 6th century. The present ruins are those of a building of the 12th century which was probably erected by Tirawley Burke.
Errew was the ecclesiastical centre of the territory ruled by the dominant Irish chiefs of the neighbourhood. Errew was the centre of activity in the southern side of Tirawley.
In 1536 A.D. the Burke's took refuge in Errew but were driven out by their enemies the O'Dowdas, MacDonaghs and O'Connors. In Cromwellian times some monks who remained after the monastery had been dissolved and plundered by the reformers were put to death by the planters by being torn apart by wild horses. Over 100 years ago the Abbey and lands of Errew passed into the possession of lewis O'Donnell and later Granville Knox. Crossmolina Abbey founded in 1300 A.D. by a member of the deBarry family who held estates in Crossmolina at around this time.
Later it passed into the hands of Edmund Albanach Burke of Inniscoe. The last Abbot of St. Mary's was one of the O'Multeeney sept lords of Moyleog, and owners of considerable territory around Crossmolina until they were wantonly despoiled by the Burkes and the Barretts.
After the rout of the Danes, O'Dowdas wielded power. Cosanmhaigh Mor O'Dowda was slain by O'Gloinin in his house at Inniscoe in 1162 A.D. Some of the rulers of Tyrawley were ceremoniously indicted at Mullaghome which has been known as Carn-Awley, as it was made a burial place of his race by Awley. Edmund Albanach Burke a descendant of the deBurgha Settlers of the time of Henry II lived at Inniscoe in the 14th century. He spoke Irish, wore Irish type dress and assumed the name MacWilliam. In 1386 A.D. forces from Sligo Castle devastated the orchards of Inniscoe and Castlehill. In 1526, O'Donnell of Tirconnell captured Crossmolina and Castlehill. in 1570 Richard Burke of Castlehill was hostile to the other Burkes of Tirawley and opposed them in widespread revolt against English misrule.
This rebellion was crushed by 1586. The English were led by Richard Bingham. Bingham won this battle a the windy gap and brought the prisoners to an island on Lough Conn. A relic dating from 1702 exists in this parish, it is an artistically designed silver chalice This chalice was used in penal times and at that time discovery of either the priest or the craftsman would mean instant death. A man named Walshe was hanged on the old bridge which spanned the Deel after the failure of the insurrection of 1798.
Getting to Crossmolina
- By Rail:there is a regular train service from Dublin to Ballina, take the Westport train from Dublin Heuston and change at Manulla junction. For timetables and more information visit www.cie.ie
- By Car:
From Dublin – take the N5 from Dublin to Swinford, N26 from Swinford to Ballina and Crossmolina is about 9 km west of Ballina, on the N59 Road as it travels west to Bangor Erris. It is 152 miles from Dublin.
- from Galway - take the N17 Tuam road, continue to Kilkelly. Turn left and drive through Kilkelly on the R375 (signposted Swinford). Turn into Swinford and follow the signs for Ballina N26, then take the N59 to Crossmolina.
- from Sligo -take the N17 Galway road to Charlestown, then take the N5 (signposted Westport). At Swinford turn right and take the N26 to Foxford and Ballina & then the N59 to Crossmolina.
- By Bus: Crossmolina is served by a number of bus routes for more information check out Bus Eireann on www.cie.ie
- By Air: You can fly to Knock Airport (IWAK) from a number of UK and European locations. Visit the Ireland West Airport Knock website for schedules and carriers.
Facts & Figures
Crossmolina Tidy Towns are based in the Enterprise Centre in Crossmolina.
The groups objectives are:
Increase pride and morale in the community
Public awareness of litter
Wildlife and nature conservation and enhancement
Protection of fresh water resources
A healthier environment
Improve waste management
To encourage, promote and foster public awareness and civic pride in the good appearance of Crossmolina Town, to publicise, protect and develop the town of Crossmolina and its environs.
For more information on this initiative contact Ph: +353879099689; e-mail nualamatthews@gmail.com
Education
National Schools :
Crossmolina National School http://www.crossmolinans.scoilnet.ie/
Glenmore National School http://www.glenmorens.com/
Rathnamagh National School.
Secondary School:
Gortnor Abbey www.gortnorabbey.ie
Links
Crossmolina Community Development replaces the Crossmolina Community Council and was formed in January 2011 at the AGM of the Community Council where it was agreed that the new name better reflected the current aims and objectives of the group. The Community Development group meet in the Enterprise Building on the first Monday of each month with the intention of identifying potential projects or other developments that will encourage investment, jobs and cultural development within the Crossmolina community and updating the wider group wit progress or issues with current projects.
Monthly Meeting First Monday of each month. It is locate in the Enterprise Center ,Telephone : 09630934 or E –mail duffy.jo@gmail.com
www.crossmolina.ie a website developed to promote the Crossmolina area, both town and surrounding areas. The website includes guides to local events, businesses in the area etc.