Newtownmountkennedy
{{short description |Town in County Wicklow, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Newtownmountkennedy
|native_name = {{Irish place name|Baile an Chinnéidigh}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|settlement_type = Town
|image_skyline = CoillteNTMK 0164w.jpg
|image_caption = Coillte HQ in Newtownmountkennedy
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = left
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ireland
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Leinster
|subdivision_type3 = County
|subdivision_name3 = County Wicklow
|established_title =
|established_date =
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_blank1_title = Demonym
|population_blank1 = Newtowner
|population_as_of = 2016
|population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=990A28E5-620A-43CE-A1EA-20FB2E8364B9 |title=Sapmap Area - Settlement - Newtownmountkennedy |publisher=Central Statistics Office | work = Census 2016 |date=April 2016 }}
|population_total = 2835
|population_urban =
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone1 = WET
|utc_offset1 = +0
|utc_offset1_DST = +1
|coordinates = {{coord|53.090107|-6.110287|dim:100000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m = 82
|blank_name = Irish Grid Reference
|blank_info = {{iem4ibx|O262062}}
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
Newtownmountkennedy ({{irish place name|Baile an Chinnéidigh|Kennedy's town}}) is a small town in County Wicklow, Ireland. It developed within the historic townland of Ballygarny ({{irish place name|Baile Ó gCearnaigh}}){{cite web |url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/1413975 |title=Newtownmountkennedy |publisher=Placenames Database of Ireland |access-date=24 April 2015}} (now Mount Kennedy Demesne), although all that remains is a motte where a church, graveyard and a castle or tower house once stood just {{convert|0.85|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the town.{{cite web|url=https://newtownmountkennedy.net/churches/catholic/ballygarny/|title=Ballygarny (Mount Kennedy) Church|publisher=newtownmountkennedy.net|access-date=3 December 2020}} It acquired its present name in the mid-seventeenth-century, when Sir Robert Kennedy, M.P. for Kildare, made it his principal residence.Ball, F.Elrington History of Dublin 6 Volumes Alexander Thom and Co. 1902-1920 Vol.4 p. 78 It is just off the N11 road to Wexford, just south of Kilpedder and south-west of Greystones. It is about {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Wicklow town, {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Bray and approximately {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Dublin. This town has one of the longest place names in Ireland, so is sometimes abbreviated to NTMK.{{cite web |title=THE PARISH REGISTERS OF CHRIST CHURCH, DELGANY VOLUME 3 § List of Abbreviations |url=https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/AngRecord/Delgany/Vol3.pdf |website=Church of Ireland |access-date=19 August 2024}}
Between the 2011 and 2016 census, the population of the town increased by 17.6% (from 2,410 to 2,835 inhabitants), one of the highest growth rates in County Wicklow on the period.{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=15017 |title=Newtownmountkennedy Legal Town Results |publisher=Central Statistics Office |year=2011 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/news/newtown-is-fastest-growing-town-35724501.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | work = Bray People | title = Newtown is fastest-growing town | date = 19 May 2017 | access-date = 6 April 2020 }} The area is a dormitory town for some workers commuting to Bray and Dublin.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
The headquarters of Coillte, the Irish Forestry Board, are situated in the village forest. Newtownmountkennedy is in the Roman Catholic parish of Kilquade, and one of the Kilquade parish's two chapels of ease is located in the village at the junction with the Roundwood Road.
Education
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School (St. Joseph's Boys National School and St. Bridget's Girls National School) is located just west of the village. It was formerly split into three buildings, one for male students, and one for female students, while the third building was reserved for the Centre for Autism. The boys' school was known as St Joseph's, while the girls' school was known as St Bridget's. In 2007, the two schools were merged, leaving the lower classes (junior infants, senior infants, first class and second class) in the former girls' school,{{cite web|url = http://www.newtownprimary.net/1778.html |archiveurl = https://archive.today/20120906205853/http://www.newtownprimary.net/1778.html | archivedate = 6 September 2012 | title = Newtownmountkennedy Primary School - Junior School | website = newtownprimary.net | accessdate = 9 March 2015}} while the remaining classes (third class through sixth class) took residence in the former boys' school.{{cite web |url=http://www.newtownprimary.net/1804.html |title=Newtownmountkennedy Primary School - Senior School | website = newtownprimary.net |access-date=2012-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907191956/http://www.newtownprimary.net/1804.html |archive-date=2012-09-07 }}
The autism centre stayed in the third building. The name given to the new school is Newtownmountkennedy Primary School. The majority of secondary school students travel to the nearby Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in neighbouring Kilcoole.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}
Transport
The area is served by the L1 bus route operated by Go-Ahead Ireland connecting the town with Kilpedder, Greystones and Bray. Bus Éireann route 133 connects the town with Dublin and Wicklow, as well as route 131 runs between Wicklow and Bray. The closest train station is Kilcoole, which was opened with the name Kilcool and Newtownmountkennedy, despite the station being just under {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the town. Greystones and the further Bray Daly station are accessible by route L1. The nearest airport is Dublin Airport served by the 133X route three times a day, and the nearest airfield is Newcastle Aerodrome. The closest ferry ports are Dublin Port to the north and Rosslare Europort to the south.{{cite web|url=https://newtownmountkennedy.net/transport/|title=Transport|publisher=newtownmountkennedy.net|access-date=3 December 2020}}
The R772 regional road passes through the village. This was the main Dublin-Wexford route, the N11, but the village was bypassed by the new N11 dual carriageway in 1990.
Sports
=Gaelic games=
The Gaelic Athletic Association club of Newtown, known in Irish as Baile Uí gCearnaigh, is one of the oldest clubs in the country, being founded in 1887. The club has two adult teams, one contesting the Senior League and Championship, and one contesting the Junior A League and Championship. There are also underage teams, ranging from Minor (U-18) down to "Super Sevens" (U-8 and younger).
The club has a number of county championships to its name, including the County Senior Championship, won in 1964 and 1975.
Newtown GAA Club{{cite web|url = http://www.newtowngaa.ie | title = New Town GAA Club | website = newtowngaa.ie}} plays in the colours Black and White, leading to some fans to dub them "The Magpies".
=Association football=
Newtown has two association football (soccer) clubs, Newtown United and Newtown Juniors. Newtown Juniors are for players up until the age of 16. After that, they move on to the senior teams of Newtown United. Both teams use the same home ground, the Matt Kelly Community Grounds.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
=Golf=
Druids Glen Golf Resort, which hosted the Irish open from 1996 to 1999, is located about a kilometre east of Newtown.{{cite web|url=http://www.druidsglenresort.com/|title=Hotels In Wicklow - Druids Glen Hotel & Resort Wicklow - Wicklow Hotels - 5 Star Hotel In Wicklow|work=druidsglen.ie|access-date=17 June 2015}} Druids Heath Golf Course, another championship course, is also located in Druids Glen. Glen Mill Golf Club is located to the south of Newtown, past Killadreenan.{{cite web|url=http://www.glenmillgolfclub.ie/find.html|title=Glen Mill - Find Us|work=glenmillgolfclub.ie|access-date=17 June 2015}}
Economy
Coillte, the Irish Forestry operator, has its headquarters just north of the town. French company Procap had its Northern European plant in the town.{{cite web|url=http://procap.com/index.php/en/procap-plastic-caps-contact |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118054013/http://www.procap.com/index.php/en/procap-plastic-caps-contact |archive-date=18 January 2012 | title = Procap - Plastic Caps and Plastic Closures }} There is also a small industrial estate located to the south of the town.
The Parkview Hotel opened in the village centre in March 2007. The hotel has 60 bedrooms and conference facilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.parkviewhotel.ie|title=Hotels Wicklow, Newtownmountkennedy Hotel, Wicklow Hotels - Parkview Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow, Ireland|work=parkviewhotel.ie|access-date=17 June 2015}}
Ecologic received planning permission to build a data centre in Newtownmountkennedy that has an area of 1.1 million square feet (100,000 square metres).http://ecologicdatacentres.com/vision.html 15 July 2017 This plan was approved by the Supreme Court in December 2013 after numerous appeals by An Bord Pleanála and quashing the High Court's refusal to approve the development.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1210/492015-court-wicklow-wexford-developments/ |title=Developments get go-ahead after Supreme Court decision |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=15 July 2017 }}
There is also a shopping centre in the town, which includes a Dunnes Stores,{{cite web |url=http://www.dunnesstores.com/pws/StoreFinder.ice?country=IE&countryRegion=&findStore=findStore&page=stores|title=Stores - Dunnes Stores|author=BT Fresca Limited|work=dunnesstores.ie|access-date=17 June 2015}} a pharmacy and a cafe. A major development was the creation, in 2015, of a new housing development, "Wicklow Hills", which comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/150m-newtown-housing-scheme-31160186.html |title=€150m Newtown housing scheme |date=25 April 2015 |publisher=Wicklow People |access-date=16 January 2017 }}
As of 2023, the town is home to a number of food and drink producing businesses.{{Cite web |title=Blackberry and strawberry wine – it’s the Wicklow way |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/drink/blackberry-and-strawberry-wine-it-s-the-wicklow-way-1.4379654 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web | website = rte.ie |last=Goodbody |first=Will |date=2023-10-10 |title=Wicklow brewery welcomes some, not all Budget measures |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/1010/1410107-wicklow-brewery-welcomes-some-not-all-budget-measures/ |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-07-04 |title=Crafting History: Glendalough Distillery |url=https://www.thetaste.ie/crafting-history-glendalough-distillery/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=TheTaste.ie |language=en-US}}
River Lodge House
In March 2024, following a number of anti-immigration protests elsewhere in Ireland, locals and other activists began picketing at River Lodge House, a vacant Health Service Executive property on the outskirts of the village, at which works were planned to provide accommodation for international protection applicants.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41373691.html | work = Irish Examiner | title = Gardaí investigate fire at disused Wicklow property earmarked for international protection applicants | date = 13 April 2024 | accessdate = 26 April 2024 }} On 25 April 2024, the situation escalated and the Garda Public Order Unit was deployed.{{cite web|url = https://www.thejournal.ie/what-happened-at-the-newtownmountkennedy-protests-6364838-Apr2024/ | website = thejournal.ie | publisher = Journal Media Ltd | title = Timeline: What happened in Newtownmountkennedy yesterday evening? | date = 26 April 2024 | accessdate = 26 April 2024 }} A fire was started, clashes broke out, and a number of people were sprayed with CS gas. Three Garda vehicles were damaged.{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0426/1445773-newtownmountkennedy-wicklow/ | website = rte.ie | publisher = RTÉ News | title =Taoiseach condemns attacks on gardaí at Wicklow protest over IPA accommodation | date = 26 April 2024 | accessdate = 26 April 2024 }} Four local people were subsequently charged with public order offences.{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2024/0426/1445911-wicklow-court/ | website = rte.ie | publisher = RTÉ News | title = Four charged with public order offences over protest at Co Wicklow site | date = 26 April 2024 | accessdate = 26 April 2024 }}
People
{{See also|Category:People from Newtownmountkennedy}}
- Clive Clarke, former footballer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/sport/other-sports/newtowns-clarke-makes-move-up-to-premiership-27831158.html|title=Newtown's Clarke makes move up to Premiership}}
- Sonny Condell, Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and graphic artist.{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/life/my-cultural-life-sonny-condell-36308707.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | work = independent.ie | title = My cultural life: Sonny Condell | date = 13 November 2017 | access-date = 6 April 2020 }}
- Leo Cullen, coach (and former captain) of Leinster Rugby.{{cite web|url = https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/staff/leo-cullen/ | publisher = Leinster Rugby | website = leinsterrugby.ie | title = Coaches - Leo Cullen - Head Coach | access-date = 7 April 2020 }}
- Paul Heffernan, former professional footballer with several English Football League and Scottish Premiership sides.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/braypeople/sport/other-sports/newtowns-heffernan-signs-for-bristol-city-27613448.html | title=Newtown's Heffernan signs for Bristol City | work=Bray People | date=1 July 2004 | access-date=9 December 2020 }}
- Sir Richard Kennedy, 2nd Baronet, High Court judge and head of the Kennedy family who gave their name to the town.{{cite book|author = Ball, F. Elrington | title = The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 | publisher = John Murray | place = London | date = 1926}}
- John David Digues La Touche (1861–1935), Irish ornithologist, naturalist, and zoologist retired in the town{{cite journal|author=Anonymous|year=1935|title=Obituary: John David Digues La Touche|journal=Ibis|volume=77|issue=4|pages=889–890|doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.1935.tb01642.x|doi-access=free}} October, 1935 issue.
- Mason Melia, professional footballer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-kenny-call-16-year-33319681|title=Stephen Kenny will call on 16-year-old to lead the line for St Pat's in Europe|first=Mark|last=McCadden|date=July 24, 2024|website=Irish Mirror}}
- Dean Odlum, Wicklow Gaelic footballer.{{cite news |first=Eugene |last=O'Brien |title=Odlum kills off the Tinahely challenge |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/bray-news/odlum-kills-off-the-tinahely-challenge/27627640.html |accessdate=21 April 2025|newspaper=Irish Independent |date=4 March 2009}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Newtownmountkennedy}}
{{County Wicklow}}
{{Authority control}}