Annaghdown

Annaghdown is a parish in County Galway, Ireland. It takes its name from Eanach Dhúin, Irish for "the marsh of the fort". The village lies around Annaghdown Bay, an inlet of Lough Corrib. The parish is situated in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
==History==
The name Eanach Dhúin signifies the 'marsh of the Dún or fort.' The word Dún is one of the most common elements denoting secular settlement in early placenames. It usually refers to an enclosed settlement or ringfort and in the early historical period it appears to designate the principal dwelling of the local king or chieftain. The placename ... probably refered to the marshlands attached to the fort of the chieftain of Maigh Seola, which would have been granted as a site for a church.Early Ecclesiastical Settlement Names of County Galway, in "Galway:History and Society - Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County", Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig, pp. 800-801, Dublin, 1996. ISBN 0 906602 75 0. 
Little is known of the early history of Annaghdown, which does not appear in the annals until the twelfth century. Two untrustworthy historical sources state it was granted to St. Brendan of Clonfert by King Áed mac Echach of Connacht. Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig believes that as Áed's territory of Uí Bhriúin Aoi lay in County Roscommon, it was not within his power to grant the land of another chieftain so distant from him. Early Ecclesiastical Settlement Names of County Galway, in "Galway:History and Society - Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County", Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig, pp. 800-801, Dublin, 1996. ISBN 0 906602 75 0.
The earliest reliable reference to Annaghdown occours in Comainmniguid Noem nErenn, composed c. 800, which contains a reference to Ciarán Enaigh Dúin, (Ciarán of Annaghdown). This and placename evidence indiates an association with Ciarán of Clonmacnoise and not Brendan of Clonfert. The connection with Clonfert is probably no more than a reflection of an attempt by Clonfert to justify its claim on the church of Annaghdown at a later period. Early Ecclesiastical Settlement Names of County Galway, in "Galway:History and Society - Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County", Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig, pp. 800-801, Dublin, 1996. ISBN 0 906602 75 0.
In the 12th century the diocese of Annaghdown was established. Although not listed in the Synods of Rathbreasail or Kells, Annaghdown diocese survived nonetheless for many centuries through monastic outreach from Annaghdown Abbey. Several 'bishops of Annaghdown', from 1189 to 1485, were systematically elected by its 'Cathedral Chapter' and, despite many counterclaims from Tuam, some were approved by Rome. In 1485, when the Wardenship of Galway was created, Annaghdown was formally united with Tuam by Papal decree, and some of its parishes, Claregalway, Moycullen and Shrule, were formally attached to the new wardenshipHowever, the title still survives as Bishop of Eanach Dúin, currently held by Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of New York.
The ruins of Annaghdown Abbey and the 15th century cathedral survive as a National Monument. Annaghdown Castle was erected on the east shore of Lough Corrib by the O'Flaherties in the late 14th century. 
===Drowning Tragedy===
On Thursday, 4 September 1828, 20 people travelling to Galway on the Caisleán Nua were tragically drowned when a sheep put its foot through the floor of the boat. This tragedy later became the subject of a famous lament, Eanach Dhúin, composed by famous Irish poet, Antoine Ó Raifteiri . A memorial stone was erected at Annaghdown Pier in 1978 by the Annaghdown Anglers Club, 150 years after the tragedy occurred.
thumb|200px|left|Memorial at Annaghdown PierThe Connacht Journal of September 4th reported the following:
An old row-boat in a rotten and leaky condition, started from Annaghdown early in the morning, a distance from Galway up Lough Corrib of about eight miles, having, it is calculated, about 31 persons on board, who were coming to the fair of Galway; the boat and passengers proceeded without obstruction until they arrived opposite Bushy Park within two miles of Galway, when she suddenly went down and all on board perished except about 12 persons who were fortunately rescued from their perilous situation by another boat.Eighteen of the bodies of these unhappy creatures were taken out of the lake in the course of the day and presented a most heart-rending scene, being surrounded by their friends who came to identify them, and by whom they were removed in a boat to Annaghdown.
The boat was in such an unsound state as to render her unfit for the passage. The unfortunate accident happened by a sheep putting its leg through one of the planks, which produced a leak, in order to stop which one of the passengers applied his great coat to the aperture and stamped it with his foot. In doing so he started one of the planks altogether, which caused the boat's immediate sinking, having been overloaded; ten sheep, a quantity of lumber, and about 31 persons being on board.
Eighteen of the bodies have been found; 12 have escaped, and one is missing. Major Dickson and a party of the 64th Regiment attended and rendered every humane assistance in their power. An inquest was held on the bodies by John Blakeney Esq., Coroner, at which James O'Hara, Esq., M.P., and J. H. Burke, Esq., Mayor, attended, and the jury returned a verdict of "accidental drowning".
The following are the names of the persons drowned and taken out of the lake: Bridget Farragher, Mary Costello, Judith Ryan, Bridget Hynes, Mary Newell, Winifred Jourdan, Mary Flynn, Bridget Curley, Catherine Mulloy, Mary Carr, Michael Farragher, Michael Cahill, John Cosgrove, John Concannon, Thomas Burke, Patrick Forde, John Forde and Timothy Goaley."
It is said that two more were drowned and their bodies were later discovered: Thomas Cahill and Mary Ruane, making a total of 20. John Cosgrove saved two women, but was drowned in trying to save the third. He was a lime-burner by trade. The remains of his house are still to be seen in the Blake estate - "Teach Chosgardha". Raftery's poem seems to be in error in mentioning only 19 victims.
==Sport==
Annaghdown boasts a lot of Sporting Clubs and facilities. The local GAA club has recently re-developed its clubhouse and is a thriving Sporting Club which caters for both Hurling and Gaelic Football. It is in Cregg. Cregg is located on the road that links Clonboo on the N84 to the N17. Corrib Celtic F.C. is the Parishes local soccer club which has also been very successful through the years. Its grounds are adjacent to Annaghdown National School. Also beside Annaghdown National School is and indoor ball alley which caters for Handball and raquet sports such as Raquetball and Squash. The courts were run down for a number of years but have recently been referbished and a Handball and Raquetball Club was set up about two years ago. You can get to Annaghdown National School through various access road's from the N84. Corrib R.F.C which is a Rugby club is loacted in the nearby town of Headford.
==Poetry==
===Eanach Dhúin===
 
"Eanach Dhúin"	English Translation
Má fhaighimse sláinte is fada bheidh trácht
:Ar an méid a bádh as Eanach Dhúin.
:'S mo thrua 'márach gach athair 's máthair
:Bean is páiste 'tá á sileadh súl!
:A Rí na nGrást a cheap neamh is párthas,
:Nar bheag an tábhacht dúinn beirt no triúr,
:Ach lá chomh breá leis gan gaoth ná báisteach
:Lán a bháid acu scuab ar shiúl.
Nár mhór an t-íonadh ós comhair na ndaoine
:Á bhfeicáil sínte ar chúl a gcinn,
:Screadadh 'gus caoineadh a scanródh daoine,
:Gruaig á cíoradh 's an chreach á roinnt.
:Bhí buachaillí óg ann tíocht an fhómhair,
:Á síneadh chrochar, is a dtabhairt go cill.
:'S gurb é gléas a bpósta a bhí dá dtoramh
:'S a Rí na Glóire nár mhór an feall.	If my health is spared I'll be long relating
:Of that boat that sailed out of Anach Cuain.
:And the keening after of mother and father
:And child by the harbour, the mournful croon!
:King of Graces, who died to save us,
:T'were a small affair but for one or two,
:But a boat-load bravely in calm day sailing
:Without storm or rain to be swept to doom.
What wild despair was on all the faces
:To see them there in the light of day,
:In every place there was lamentation,
:And tearing of hair as the wreck was shared.
:And boys there lying when crops were ripening,
:From the strength of life they were borne to clay
:In their wedding clothes for their wake they robed them
:O King of Glory, man's hope is in vain.
 Lyrics of "Eanach Dhúin"
== Education ==
* Annaghdown has four Primary schools, Corrandulla N.S, Annaghdown N.S, Currandrum N.S and Bawnmore N.S. 
== See also ==
* Annaghdown GAA
* Bishop of Annaghdown
* Annaghdown Abbey
* Brendan
* Corrib Celtic F.C.
* Cregg Mill
== References ==
* Gilbert Ó Tigernaig, Bishop of Annaghdown, c.1306–23, Michael Robson, Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 1996
Category: Parishes of County Galway
Category:Christian monasteries in Ireland
Category:Ireland geography stubs