From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Roscommon Ros Comáin
Motto: Constans Hiberniae Cor
Location
Coordinates: 53°38′00″N 8°11′00″W / 53.6333°N 8.1833°W / 53.6333; -8.1833Coordinates: 53°38′00″N 8°11′00″W / 53.6333°N 8.1833°W / 53.6333; -8.1833
Irish grid reference M879648
Statistics
Province:	Connacht
County:	County Roscommon
Area:	2463 km² / 951 sq mi
Elevation:	80 m / 262 ft
Population (2006)  - Town:  - Environs:	4,489   4,168

Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) is the county seat of County Roscommon in Ireland.

History

The name Roscommon is derived from Saint Coman who built a monastery there in the 5th century. The woods near the monastery became known as Saint Coman's Wood, or Ros Comáin in Irish. This was later anglicised to Roscommon.

It was the homeland of The Connachta dynasty, and included such kingdoms as Uí Maine, Delbhna Nuadat, Síol Muirdeach, and Moylurg. In addition, it contained areas known as Trícha cét's, Túath and is the homeland of surnames such as Ó Conchobhair (O'Connor), Mac Diarmada (McDermott), Ó Ceallaigh (Kelly), Ó Birn (Beirne, Byrne, Burns), Mac Donnchadha (McDonough).

This market town once had a hangwoman called Lady Betty, as well as a Dominican friary, founded in 1253 by King Felim ofConnacht (see abbeys and priories in Ireland). Roscommon Castle, built in 1269, is an Anglo-Norman fortress. Roscommon is situated 145 km (90 mi) west of Dublin and 75 km (47 mi) north east of Galway and 32 km (20 mi) north west of Athlone.

Amenities

Bank of Ireland Roscommon. (Formerly the Harrison Hall), 4 May 2005.

Roscommon Golf Club was founded in 1904, the course, set in parklands filled with mature sycamore, beech, whitethorn trees and ash trees, was extended to eighteen holes in 1996 and now measures 6,390 metres (6,900 yards).^[1] Dr. Hyde Park, with a capacity of 30,000 is an important GAA venue in Ireland and is home to the county footballers and Roscommon Gaels club. A horse racing course is situated approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the town centre, the track itself is an oblong right-handed track 2 km (1.25 mi) in length, the course has stabling for up to 95 horses. Roscommon has a leisure centre which opened early 2002 and has a 25 m (82 ft)deck level pool with a learner swimming pool and spectator gallery and fully equipped gymnasium. Situated next to the swimming pool is the home of Roscommon's most successful sport - St Coman's handball club. Established in 1930 the club has produced many All-Ireland and even World championship winning handballers. Mote Park, approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the town centre is a woodland area covering several miles and is popular with walkers.

Roscommon Castle

Roscommon Castle

Roscommon Castle to the north of the town was built by the Normans in 1269 and four years later was captured by the Irish and razed to the ground, to be rebuilt in 1280. In the spacious main street is the beautiful renovated Bank of Ireland which was once the courthouse and afterwards served as the Catholic Church until 1903.

Transport

Roscommon railway station opened on 13 February 1860.^[2] Roscommon is situated near the major road networks in Ireland. Bus Eireann runs regular bus services to other major towns which can be taken from Roscommon Square. Locals are faemers.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Market Houses in Ireland
• Lord Roscommon

References

From Wikitravel

Roscommon is the county town in the county of Roscommon in Ireland.

Get in

From Dublin

By Car - Follow the N4, then take the N6 Galway road until Athlone. Finally take the Roscommon exit just after crossing the River Shannon.

By Train - Regular service on the Westport line from Heuston Station.

By Bus - Regular service from Busaras.

See

Town has a number of interesting historical sites. Chiefly the ruins of a Castle and an Abbey

Eat

Magnum's Grill-Quality fast food restaurant commonly known as the 'Chipper' by locals. Always extremely busy on weekend nights congrerated primarily by drunk locals often looking to 'shift' (french kiss)-a perfect location for singles who didn't manage to get lucky in the town's nightclub; 'Gatsby's.!!!'

Sleep

Abbey Hotel

Gleasons

Hannons Hotel

and numerous B+Bs

From LoveToKnow 1911

There is more than one meaning of Roscommon discussed in the 1911 Encyclopedia. We are planning to let all links go to the correct meaning directly, but for now you will have to search it out from the list below by yourself. If you want to change the link that led you here yourself, it would be appreciated.

• Roscommon, Ireland
• Roscommon, Ireland (County)