Shanagolden, County Limerick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shanagolden Irish: Seanghualainn
Village
Shanid Castle just south of Shanagolden
Shanagolden Location in Ireland
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Limerick
Elevation	25 m (82 ft)
Population  (2016)	303
Irish Grid Reference	R252477

Shanagolden (which means 'the old shoulder' in Irish) is a small village in County Limerick, Ireland. It's located west of the 'Golden Vale', a very rich farming area in the province of Munster. The village is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) west of Limerick city. You can find it on the R521 road, between Foynes and Newcastlewest. In 2016, 303 people lived there. Shanagolden is also the name of the local area and its old church district.

A Glimpse into Shanagolden's Past

The history of Shanagolden is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters. This is a very old record of Irish history. In the year 968, a big battle happened here. The King of Munster, Mathgamain mac Cennétig, fought against the Viking kings of Limerick and Waterford. Mathgamain won this battle at a place called Sengualainn, which is now Shanagolden.

Later, in 1124, Turlogh O'Connor gathered a fleet of ships. He crossed the River Shannon and took valuable things from the lands of Uí Conaill near Foynes Island.

After a major rebellion in the 1580s, Shanagolden village was planned out. It became an Anglo-Irish plantation village. This means it was set up by English and Irish settlers.

Exploring Shanagolden's Landmarks

Shanagolden has some interesting old places to visit. These sites tell stories of its long history.

Shanid Castle: An Ancient Stronghold

Just a short distance from the village are the ruins of Shanid Castle. This was a very important castle for the Anglo-Normans. They were a group of people who came to Ireland after 1169. The castle was probably built around 1230. It belonged to the FitzMaurice family and later became a fortress for the Knight of Glin. Sadly, the castle was burned down in 1641.

St. Katherine's Abbey: A Historic Nunnery

About 2 miles east of Shanagolden, in a valley, you can find the "Old Abbey." Its full name is St. Katherine's Abbey, Monisternagalliaghduff. This was once a nunnery for Augustinian nuns. It was founded in 1298, making it one of the earliest nunneries recorded in Ireland. The nunnery stopped operating in 1541.

Local History Book

Students from the local primary school have even written a book about the town's history. This book was published and shared with many local shops. It helps everyone learn more about Shanagolden.