Roosky
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Roosky
Rúscaigh | |
---|---|
Village | |
![]() Roosky, on the River Shannon | |
![]() ![]() Roosky Location in Ireland | |
Coordinates: 53°50′00″N 7°55′00″W / 53.8333°N 7.9167°WCoordinates: 53°50′00″N 7°55′00″W / 53.8333°N 7.9167°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Connacht |
County | County Roscommon and County Leitrim |
Elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
Population (2016)[1] | 564 |
Irish Grid Reference | N055870 |
Roosky, Ruskey, or Rooskey (Irish: Rúscaigh, meaning 'swamp" or "bog') is a village on the River Shannon in the northern midlands of Ireland, near the point where counties Leitrim, Longford, and Roscommon meet. The N4 road from Dublin to Sligo passes by the Leitrim side of the village.
History[]
In 1798 the local rebels defeated the army of General Lake on the shores of Lough Bofin as part of the 1798 rebellion. There was also a 'Pleasure House' on the shores of the same lake, including a man-made beach only accessible to people from the Anglo-Irish Protestant class, which was later burned down. The Protestant church, in the centre of the village, was also attacked at this time.
Roosky was a lively market village in the mid 20th Century. The bridge was the scene of conflict during the Irish Civil War in 1922 and was also an important focal point for the National Farmers Association strike in 1967.
The portion of the village in County Leitrim was formerly known as Georgia or Gorteenoran (Irish: Goirtín Óráin)[2] and constituted 5 houses and three licensed premises in 1925. This name is not in use today.[3]
Facilities[]
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Roman Catholic church built in 1844, holds regular masses. The village has a supermarket, hairdressers, a Garda Station and bars. The community centre is located on the site of the old primary school.
There are four pubs in business in Roosky; two on the Roscommon side: Noel's and Cox's Bar, and two on the Leitrim side: The Weir Lodge and Reynolds'.
Culture[]
The Shannon Key West Hotel was an entertainment venue in the village, until it went into liquidation, closing its doors on 18 October 2011.[4] Every year, the village holds the 'Rooskey Heritage Festival,' usually in July.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/RooskyShannon_Feb_2003_171.jpg/280px-RooskyShannon_Feb_2003_171.jpg)
Tourism[]
Roosky is a destination for anglers, as the River Shannon and the nearby loughs are well stocked with coarse fish including roach, perch and bream. The harbour and marina are especially busy in the summer, with cruise vessels regularly stopping here.[citation needed]
The is also held annually in the village. This community festival includes live music and heritage displays and promotes Rooskey village as a tourist destination. There are also art exhibitions, watersport displays and markets. Proceeds raised by the festival go towards the next year's festival and community projects which have included commissioning a wooden sculpture for the village, promoting the village's rich history by using plaques near points of interest and organising events all year celebrating heritage.[citation needed]
Outdoor activities that take place locally include watersports, horse-riding, pony-trekking and walking.[citation needed]
Education[]
The village is served by the local primary school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel N.S., which was opened in 1997.
Industry[]
On 8 May 2002, a fire at the Glanbia Factory brought an end to bacon production, which had been important to the village for over 50 years.[citation needed] On the Leitrim side of the village, there is also a test tube making factory.[citation needed]
Rail access[]
The nearest railway station is located on the County Leitrim side of the River Shannon at Dromod which is on the Dublin–Sligo railway line.
Sport[]
Roosky is represented in both GAA and soccer by Kilglass Gaels and , respectively.
There are three 18-hole golf courses in the area.
People[]
- Albert Reynolds, politician and 9th Taoiseach of Ireland, born in Roosky[5]
See also[]
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
References[]
- ^ "Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Settlements Roosky". Central Statistics Office (Ireland). April 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Goirtín Óráin/Georgia or Gorteenoran". Logainm.ie. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ Irish Free State (1925). Intoxicating Liquor Commission Report (Report). Reports of Committees. The Stationery Office. p. 31. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ O'Donovan, Donal (20 October 2011). "Shannon Key West owes over €3m as liquidator closes down business". independent.ie. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ Dalby, Douglas (21 August 2014). "Albert Reynolds Dies at 81; Peacemaking Irish Premier". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
External links[]
- "Roosky Townland, Co. Roscommon". townlands.ie.
- "Georgia or Gorteenoran Townland, Co. Leitrim". townlands.ie.
- Towns and villages in County Roscommon
- Towns and villages in County Leitrim
- Populated places on the River Shannon