Headford, some 28 km north of Galway, is the popular
angling centre for the eastern shore of Lough Corrib, and
Greenfields, some 6.5 km west of the town, is its boating
harbour. The town is situated next to the Black River (noted
also for its trout angling) which is the county boundary
with Mayo. Headford is also the centre of an area rich in
archaeological monuments, ranging from prehistoric burial
cairns, Iron Age stone enclosures, early Norman and later
castles, to a bewildering array of monastic sites.
Today, the modern cattle mart, although replacing the fairs
and markets once held in the town's two squares, ensures the
local popularity of this North Galway town.
Headford is twinned with the picturesque town of Le Faouët
in Brittany, France.
|
|
 |
 |
Ross Errilly Friary (above left)
Standing in serene solitude on the South bank of the Black
River, just two miles West from the town of Headford in Co.
Galway the Franciscan Friary of Ross is recognised by many
historians both past and present as the best preserved
monastic ruin of its period in Ireland. It was founded in
1349 by the then Archbishop of Tuam Dr. Malachy MacHugh, who
was a native of the Headford area and, as it happens, a
member of the Franciscan order.
Killursa (above rihgt)
Killursa is about 1.5 miles west of Headford on the
Greenfields road. It is a ruined church set in an extensive
graveyard. The ruin measures 70feet by 24feet, and it has a
gothic pointed doorway, and a large mullioned gothic window,
which indicates that the present structure was erected after
the Norman invasion, 1169. A wall was built across this
church, probably cutting off a section for the officiating
clergyman, who had his habitat there. Killursa means the
church of St. Fursa whose statue one sees as one enters the
graveyard. It was here St. Fursa had the famous visions of
the unseen world which grave authors assert inspired Dante
to write his “Comedia Divina”.
|
|
