According to the 2016 census the population of Gort an Choirce was 185,[1] with 41.6% of people speaking Irish on a daily basis outside the education system. This puts the town in 8th place for highest percentage of daily Irish speakers in Ireland.[4]
Name
The official name of the townland is Gort an Choirce (anglicised to Gortahork), meaning "oat field".[5] The townland is within the Roman Catholic parish of Críost Rí (Christ the King) and the Church of Ireland parish of Tullaghobegley East.[citation needed]
History
Creek at Gort a' ChoirceLocal shop and filling station
Evidence of ancient habitation in the townland includes a number of ring forts and souterrains in the area.[6]
The village has a history of local enterprise, shops, forges, hotels, post office halls, and other meeting places for the communities in the surrounding areas.[citation needed]
It is claimed that a Charlie McGee, from Inishbofin, four miles offshore from Gort a' Choirce, was the first person to have been killed in the 1916 Easter Rising.[7] McGee, who was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), was shot on duty while in Castlebellingham, County Louth. He was brought home to be buried in Gortahork, where an RIC tombstone now lies over his grave.[citation needed]
In 2006, Coláiste Uladh (the Ulster College) celebrated its centenary. Among those who attended the college were Pádraig Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett and Roger Casement – three participants in the 1916 Rising.[7]
Community
The arts community in the area includes visual artists, poets, singers, musicians and others from or attracted to the area.[citation needed] Gort a' Choirce has been home to a documentary film festival which, in its first year, screened 30 films from 15 different countries.[citation needed]
Gortahork is mentioned in the opening lines of the Christy Moore song Lisdoonvarna.[8]
The village is a base for wind surfers who come to Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh Beach.[citation needed]
