Clonaslee
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Clonaslee
|native_name = {{lang|ga|Cluain na Slí}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|settlement_type = Village
|image_skyline = IMG Clonaslee3232c.jpg
|image_caption = Clonaslee, R422 heading west into the village
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ireland
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Leinster
|subdivision_type3 = County
|subdivision_name3 = County Laois
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2022
|population = 608
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone1 = WET
|utc_offset1 = +0
|utc_offset1_DST = -1
|coordinates = {{coord|53.1488|-7.5253|region:IE_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m =
|blank_name = Irish grid reference
|blank_info = {{iem4ibx|N318110}}
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
Clonaslee ({{Irish place name|Cluain na Slí}}){{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/1416673.aspx | publisher = Irish Placenames Commission | website = logainm.ie | title = Cluain na Slí / Clonaslee | access-date = 11 January 2019 | quote = Explanatory note [..] the pasture of the road, way}} is a village in north County Laois, Ireland, situated in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains on the R422 Mountmellick to Birr road. Clonaslee is approximately 100 km west of Dublin, and is close to the towns of Portlaoise and Tullamore.
As of the 2022 census, the village had a recorded population of 608.
Name
The primary spelling of the name, Clonaslee, is associated by several sources to the Irish Cluain na Slí (translated as "pasture of the way" or "roadside meadow" or similar) and related to the village's location on ancient cross-country route.{{cite web|url = http://www.slievebloom.ie/cms/2015/12/14/clonaslee/ | publisher = Offaly County Council | website = slievebloom.ie | title = Villages - Clonaslee | access-date = 11 January 2019 }}
Though this is the commonly and officially accepted version, an alternative spelling of the name, Cloneslieu, is associated by some sources to the Irish Cluain na Sléibhe (translated as "the mountain meadow").
The original name of the parish, Kilmanman, from the Irish Cill na mBanbhán or Cill Mheanman (translated as "the church of Manman"), is associated with Saint Manman who founded a church here in the 7th century.{{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/1444.aspx | publisher = Irish Placenames Commission | title = Cill na mBanbhán / Kilmanman | access-date = 11 November 2018 | language = Irish }}
History
While earlier archaeological remains suggest more ancient settlement in the area (including a ringfort in nearby Larragan townland),{{cite book | title = Archaeological Inventory of County Laois | date = 1995 |editor= P. David Sweetman |editor2=Olive Alcock |editor3=Bernie Moran | publisher = Dublin Stationery Office | quote = LA002-009 [..] Ringfort - rath [..] Townland: LARRAGAN}} the modern day Clonaslee evolved from its beginnings as an Anglo-Norman town of the late-12th century.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} At this time the eskers and related landforms gave a great strategic advantage by providing ideal vantage points where mottes and other defensive battlements were constructed. This advantage also had a profound influence on the location of towns and villages throughout the county. From the 12th to 17th centuries, recorded history does not provide much detail on the development of Clonaslee.
The most significant period in the village's growth took place from the 16th century under the influence of the Dunnes of Brittas.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} This family left their mark on the form and history of the village as evidenced in its planned form and also from a number of ruins in the area. The former residence of a young branch of the family remains in ruins one mile from the village at Clara Hill. Also, near the east bank of the Clodiagh River stand the ruins of Ballinakill Castle, built in 1680 by Colonel Dunne. Throughout the 18th century, Clonaslee prospered due to its location on an important highway across Laois leading onto Munster. The proximity of Brittas - the seat of the Dunnes - was also influential as the power of this family had by now grown beyond that of a native Irish Chieftain. In 1771, Francis Dunne, then head of the Dunne Family, became a Roman Catholic and built a thatched parish chapel in the village. This was located close to the site of the present church.
The Dunne family continued to finance the construction of landmark buildings in the village. The parish church was erected in 1814 under General Dunne (known locally as 'shun-battle Ned' because of his rumoured refusal to fight at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo). The construction of the church was aided by a gift of £800 and a loan of £300 from the former Board of First Fruit. In 1830, the same board donated £50 towards the construction of Glebe House. The village continued to grow quickly from the 1800s to the 1830s. This was largely due to the development of the Mountmellick to Birr road in 1814. This period also saw the arrival of civic facilities such as the post office, police station and other offices of civil administration. The population of the village peaked at 561 inhabitants in 1841. However, in 1901 this fell to a low of 287 persons. As of the 2022 census, the population was 608.
Amenities
Local walks and trails include Slieve Bloom Forest Park, the Giant's Grave, and Brittas Lake and Forest - the latter of which is managed by Coillte.{{cite web|url = https://www.coillte.ie/site/brittas/ | publisher = Coillte | website = coillte.ie | title = Brittas Forest | date = 11 January 2019 | quote = Brittas Forest in Clonaslee village, follows the path of the River Clodiagh [..] The trail passes by Brittas lake and car park}} The ruined tower of Brittas Castle, largely destroyed by fire in the mid-20th century,{{cite web|url = http://archiseek.com/2013/1869-brittas-castle-clonaslee-co-laois/ | publisher = Archiseek | work = Architecture of Laois | title = 1869 – Brittas Castle, Clonaslee, Co. Laois | date = 2013 | access-date = 11 January 2019 | quote = Brittas Castle went on fire on Thursday, June 25, 1942 and, despite the best efforts of the Tullamore Fire Brigade, it was destroyed. Little remains today but the ruined tower}} has a gateway from Clonaslee's main street.{{cite web|url = http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LA®no=12800203 | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | website = buildingsofireland.ie | title = Brittas House, Brittas Demesne, County Laois | access-date = 11 January 2019 | quote = built in 1869 to designs by John McCurdy [..] Remainder of house dismantled to ground level [..] Gateway to site (at Main Street, Clonaslee) comprising sandstone piers.}}
Clonaslee–St Manman's is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.
Notable people
{{See also|Category:People from Clonaslee}}
- Gerry Culliton, Irish international rugby union player{{cite web|url = https://www.laoistoday.ie/2019/02/09/19-caps-for-ireland-the-barbarians-and-junior-hurling-title-with-clonaslee-the-amazing-sporting-career-of-gerry-culliton/ | website = laoistoday.ie | title = 19 caps for Ireland, the Barbarians and a junior hurling title with Clonaslee – the amazing sporting career of Gerry Culliton | date = 9 February 2019 | accessdate = 23 June 2023}}
- Evelyn Cusack, meteorologist and former head of forecasting at Met Éireann{{cite web|url = https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/midlands-weather-forecast-icon-retires/ | website = midlands103.com | title = Midlands Weather Forecast Icon Retires | date = 1 June 2023 | accessdate = 23 June 2023 }}
- Mick Dunne, sports journalist{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mick-dunne-dies-aged-73-1.1091615 | work = Irish Times | title =Mick Dunne dies, aged 73 | date = 12 August 2002 | accessdate = 23 June 2023 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.clonasleeparish.com Clonaslee RC parish website]
{{County Laois}}