Carrick-on-Shannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carrick-on-Shannon
Cora Droma Rúisc
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Town
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The River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon
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 Carrick-on-Shannon
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Leitrim & County Roscommon |
| Baronies | Leitrim and Boyle |
| Elevation | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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4,743 |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) |
| Eircode routing key |
N41
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| Telephone area code | +353(0)71 |
| Irish Grid Reference | M935996 |
Carrick-on-Shannon (which means "weir of the marshy ridge" in Irish) is the main town of County Leitrim in Ireland. It is the biggest town in the county. A small part of the town is on the west side of the River Shannon in County Roscommon. This is where the town's main train station is located. In 2022, about 4,743 people lived here.
Carrick-on-Shannon is built at an important spot where people could cross the River Shannon. It is seen as the main entry point to the Shannon–Erne Waterway, a route that connects the River Shannon to the River Erne.
Contents
History of Carrick-on-Shannon
Carrick-on-Shannon is located where the River Shannon could be crossed easily. Close to Drumsna, near the County Roscommon border, you can find old remains of an Iron Age fort. The name Corryolus, a place along the Shannon, comes from "weir of Eolais," remembering an ancient leader.
In old maps, the town was also called Carrick Drumrusk. This was an English version of its Irish name. Carrick-on-Shannon was given a special royal charter in 1607. This made it a borough with its own official seal. For many years, the town held three big annual fairs in May, August, and November.
Some historic buildings in the town include the "Carrick Castle" and the Costello Chapel. Hatley Manor is a beautiful old home that has been restored. St George's Church of Ireland is also a notable historic building.
Local News and Media
Carrick-on-Shannon has its own local newspaper called the Leitrim Observer. It comes out every Wednesday. There is also a free newspaper published every two weeks called the Northwest Express.
Interesting Places to Visit
Carrick Bridge and Quay
For a long time, the main point for boats on the Shannon was Drumsna. In the 1840s, the river was made better for boats. This included digging out parts of the river and building new locks. A new bridge and quays were built in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1846. This new bridge replaced an older stone bridge, which had replaced a wooden one.
For over 100 years, Carrick was a very busy place for river trade. Things like wood, cement, and even Guinness beer were brought here by boat from other cities.
Churches in Town
St. Mary's Catholic Church is on the Main Street. It was built in a style called Neo-Gothic. The church was officially opened on October 19, 1879. It stands on high ground in the town.
St. George's Church is the Church of Ireland parish church. It was moved to its current spot in Carrick in 1698. The church was rebuilt in 1829 and its inside was updated between 1910 and 1914.
The Priest's Lane is an old name for a road in town. It's where Catholic priests first lived after strict laws against them were relaxed. It's also believed that Turlough O'Carolan, a famous harp player, lived here as a boy.
The Carrick Baptist Church started in September 2012. It holds its services on Park Lane.
The Costello Memorial Chapel is said to be one of the smallest chapels in the world. It is only about 192 square feet in size.
Arts and Culture
The Dock is an arts center located in the old 19th-century courthouse building. It opened in 2005. It has a theater, art galleries, and spaces for artists to work. It also has a coffee shop.
Since 2013, The Dock has hosted the Phase One festival every April. This festival shows off artists and musicians who create modern or electronic music. The Carrick Water Music Festival is another event. It's a week-long music and arts festival that started in 2005 and happens every July.
Climate and Weather
Carrick-on-Shannon has a mild, moist, and changing climate all year round. This is because of winds from the Gulf Stream. The town rarely has very hot or very cold temperatures. Temperatures below 0°C (32°F) or above 30°C (86°F) are uncommon.
The town gets about 1,147 mm (45.2 inches) of rain each year. This rain is spread out evenly throughout the year. Rain is the most common type of precipitation. Snow, hail, and sleet are rare, but can happen during very cold winters. Carrick-on-Shannon is also usually humid. This can lead to heavy rain showers and even thunderstorms, especially in late summer.
Geography and Transport
As its name suggests, the town is on the River Shannon. This river is connected to the River Erne by the Shannon–Erne Waterway. The town is also on the N4 main road. This road connects Dublin in the east to Sligo in the west.
The town has a train station on the Dublin-Sligo railway line. The Carrick-on-Shannon railway station opened on December 3, 1862. It is about 2 kilometers outside the town, on the Roscommon side of the Shannon. Bus Éireann also provides bus services that connect the town to Dublin and Sligo. There is also a local bus service to nearby towns like Ballinamore.
Even though Carrick-on-Shannon is the main town of Leitrim, it sits on both sides of the River Shannon. The part of the town on the Roscommon side is called Cortober.
Carrick Carnival Festival
The "Carrick Carnival" is a yearly festival held in the town. It usually takes place around the June Bank Holiday weekend.
The festival lasts for about 10 days. It includes exciting events like air shows, water sports, fireworks, and live music. Towards the end of the Carnival, there are bigger events. These include Carnival Night, the Battle of the Musicals, and displays of vintage cars.
Sports in Carrick-on-Shannon
Many sports are popular in Carrick-on-Shannon. The St Mary's GAA club is based here. This club plays Gaelic games like Gaelic football and hurling. Their home ground is called Pairc Naoimh Mhuire. The Roscommon side of the town has its own GAA club called Shannon Gaels GAA. The main home ground for Leitrim GAA, called Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, is also in Carrick-on-Shannon.
For soccer fans, Carrick Town FC was started in 1976. Their home field is at the Showgrounds. In rugby, the Carrick-on-Shannon RFC club was set up in 1974.
Golf has been played in Carrick-on-Shannon since 1910. The Carrick-on-Shannon Golf Club moved to its current location in Woodbrook in 1944.
The Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club was founded in 1836. It is the oldest rowing club in Ireland and one of the oldest in Europe! The area is also a popular spot for national and international fishing competitions.
Famous People from Carrick-on-Shannon
- Frances Cryan (born 1958) was an Olympian in Ladies Rowing at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. She was the Irish Ladies Single Sculls Champion 11 times.
- Carole Coleman (born 1966) is a well-known broadcaster for Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
- William Lendrim (1830-1891) received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
- Farrell McElgunn (born 1932) was a local politician who also served in the European Parliament.
- Paul Reid (born 1964) is a senior civil servant.
Town Twinning
Carrick-on-Shannon is twinned with the town of Cesson-Sévigné in Brittany, France. This means the towns have a special friendship and cultural exchange.
Images for kids
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The River Shannon at Carrick-on-Shannon
See also
In Spanish: Carrick-on-Shannon para niños
