Kenagh
Brief History of the Kenagh
Kenagh is an estate village with many a unique features of historical and cultural value. There is a good blend of the old village and two new housing estates along with at least twenty new privately owned buildings, all very complimentary to one another.
The entire village is very well maintained and tastefully decorated, having come third in 1988 Tidy Towns Competition in Co Longford. The population is approximately 250. The village is 10 miles from Longford, 6 miles from Ballymahon, 20 miles from Athlone and 16 miles from Roscommon.
ATTRACTIONS
Clock Tower
The clock tower is a unique feature of the village, built in 1878. The monument is stone built, standing 60ft high. It was erected to commemorate the local landlord of the time, King Harman. It is one of our major attractions and it draws attention from tourists and passers by.
Corlea Interpretative Centre
Erected by the Office of Public Works and opened to the public in 1994, the building houses the remains of an ancient bog road, exhibition centre, audiovisual room and coffee shop. The trackway, which dates back to 148 BC was excavated by archaeologists during the 1980’s. The centre is open during the summer months and there are guided tours by Dúchas personnel every two hours. The building is surrounded by 30 acres of raised bog, which provides a nature reserve and is also open to the public.
Peatlands
Peat has played a very important role in shaping the history, culture and economy of Co Longford. Along with being a source of fuel and power, they are also a great outdoor laboratory for studying plants and animals in their natural environment. In addition they are places great beauty and have a wilderness aspect about them which we now value very highly. South Longford has a rich heritage of boglands and recent excavations west of Kenagh village have proved a valuable source of information about our own distant past. We, here in Kenagh are proud of our great tradition in bog lore. A short drive or walk from the village will take the visitor through an area of great beauty and wild landscape which should include a visit to the Heritage Centre at Corlea.
The Royal Canal
The Royal Canal was opened through Kenagh in 1817. The waterway was closed to boat traffic in 1962. Unfortunately some of the bridges were lowered throughout Co. Longford. Restoration work began in 1990 and will continue until it is navigable again. The canal towpaths are a great amenity for walking and in some places for cycling. There is also plenty of evidence of aquatic life at various points along the canal. Its banks and environs are also a great source for the propagation of flora and fauna, which are plentiful in the locale.
White Gates
The White Gates are the old entrance gates into Mosstown Estate. An eagle is perched on each pillar. It opens on to the main Athlone-Longford road. The remains of the old Weslian Church alongside is an added attraction.
Pigeon House
Another unique feature of the locality, the Pigeon House is one of only six remaining intact in Ireland. It was built in 1808 and was once part of the old Mosstown Estate, which was used to supply eggs and pigeon meat to the ‘Big House’. It is privately owned but its location leaves it visible to the main road. It was re-roofed about 1990.
Churches
There are also a number of fine old churches in the area:
- St George’s Church - this church is a beautiful cut stone building erected in 1832. Its four-spire tower is a unique feature. It is open every Sunday for religious service.
- Abbeyderg Monastery - built by the Augustinian order in 1206 AD, two miles north-east of Kenagh village.
- Kilcommock Church Ruins - situated 2 miles south west of Kenagh, built in 1630AD it had a very long and troubled history.