Castlerea

Castlerea (Irish: An Caisleán Riabhach ) is a city in western central inland of the Republic of Ireland.

Overview

Castlerea is with 3055 inhabitants, is located (according to Census 2011), the second largest city of the county Roscommon in the west of the site. The largest city and the capital of the county is Roscommon Town, located about 30 km southwest of Castlerea. In Castlerea of Suck and the River Francis flow, both tributaries of the Shannon.

Just west of town is the headquarters of the O'Conor clan, who has made numerous Irish High Kings, his pedigree to 75 aD can trace and represents Europe's oldest documented family.

Today Castlerea is passed by tourists who travel from Dublin Athlone and Roscommon Town on the N60 across the country to Mayo. Otherwise, Castlerea is located away from traffic streams in a rural area. It is served by Bus Éireann and is connected to the railway network in Ireland; the place is on the InterCity Dublin - Westport / Ballina of Iarnród Éireann. The railway station in the south of the city opened in 1860.

The local site must not be confused with the Northern Ireland community Castlereagh in Belfast.

Personalities

• Douglas Hyde (1860-1949), writer, linguist and from 1938 to 1945 the first President of Ireland
• Thomas Finnegan (1925-2011), Roman Catholic bishop