Manorhamilton (Irish: Cluainín (Uí Ruairc)) is the second-largest town in County Leitrim, Ireland. It is located on the N16 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Sligo and 41 kilometres (25 mi) from Enniskillen.
History
Before the Plantations of Ireland, the settlement was known, and continues to be known in the Irish language, as Cluainín or Cluainín Uí Ruairc (meaning "little meadow of O'Rourke").[2] This lay on the west bank of the Owenbeg. Uí Ruairc (anglicised as O'Rourke) was the local Gaelic chieftain, based in nearby Dromahair, whose land was seized by the British and then granted to Sir Frederick Hamilton for his services in the European wars of the 17th century. As a result of his actions, Hamilton to this day is considered to have been a tyrant by the local people. He began building a new town on the east bank of the river, in the townland of Clonmullen, which he renamed 'Manorhamilton'.[2] After the town emerged, the name Baile Hamaltuin was adopted by Irish speakers and its anglicised form 'Ballyhamilton' was for a time used by English speakers.[2]
Manorhamilton Castle
Manorhamilton castle was erected in 1634 by Sir Frederick Hamilton, who had been granted land in north Leitrim by the British government. The land had been confiscated from the O'Rourkes, the ruling clan of Breifne. Hamilton was a very unpopular overlord and faced frequent native rebellion before the Castle was burned by the Earls of Clanrickard (Burkes) in 1652.[3] The castle ruin has been renovated as a tourist attraction.[citation needed]
Economy and culture
Manorhamilton Post Office
Manorhamilton acts as a retail and services catchment for the surrounding rural area.[4] Manorhamilton is also home to several manufacturing businesses, including manufacturers of rubber, plastics, automotive and other products.[5]
Throughout at least the 19th and 20th centuries, a number of annual fairs were held at Manorhamilton on 8 May, 1 July, 7 October and 18 November, with four annual fairs held at nearby Lurganboy on 15 (or 17) May, 21 June, 21 August, 23 September and 21 October.[6][7]
Farming is still a dominant sector,[citation needed] yet traditional industries and livelihoods are being replaced by new forms of economic activity.[citation needed]
The ruins of Manorhamilton Castle have been renovated and now house a heritage centre and a permanent exhibition, with guided tours of the castle ruins and grounds.[3]
Bee Park Resource Centre
The Bee Park Resource Centre is a facility on the site of the former community centre. The centre has a large main hall which stages concerts and community events. The Bee Park Centre is also used by youth, sport, disability and childcare groups. The North Leitrim Women's Group and The North Leitrim Men's Group are also located here.[citation needed]
Square
A public square has been developed adjacent to Manorhamilton Castle on the former fair green. The square, which incorporates an outdoor performance platform, features an abstract sculpture, sourced from the local Leitrim Sculpture Centre.[8]
The north Leitrim area features a number of pre-historic sites of interest. This includes the nearby O'Donnell's Rock plateau, where several well-preserved stone forts and passage tombs are located. Cairns and other tombs are also visible on Benbo Mountain and at the summits of surrounding mountains. On lower ground, the remains of ringforts and cashels, tombs and other structures are dotted throughout the landscape. Lisdarush Ring Fort is an Iron Age site which can be seen just off the Rossinver road approximately 2 miles (3 km) from Manorhamilton.
Healthcare
Our Lady's Hospital
Our Lady's Hospital is located on the edge of the town. This HSE hospital provides a range of services, and is focused on long-stay and day-care geriatric and rheumatology services.[9]
The nearest railway station to Manorhamilton is Sligo, which is served by trains to Dublin Connolly and is operated by Iarnród Éireann. Bus Éireann services from Manorhamilton stop at Sligo bus station, which is beside Sligo railway station.
Manorhamilton previously had its own station, Manorhamilton railway station, which opened in 1880 and formed part of the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR). All maintenance on the line's engines and rolling stock was carried out at the station works, and the railway became a major employer locally. The administrative headquarters of the SLNCR was located in the nearby village of Lurganboy. The railway served as a major business and tourism artery to the area and developed a large trade in livestock exports. The SLNCR, and with it Manorhamilton station, closed on 1 October 1957.[12]
The association football (soccer) club, Manorhamilton Rangers AFC, participates in the Sligo Leitrim Junior soccer leagues.[citation needed] Manor Rangers pitch is located in the Bee Park sports grounds in the centre of the town.[14]
Manorhamilton Tennis Club has all-weather courts in the Bee Park sports grounds. Teams from the club also participate in the Connacht Tennis League.[citation needed]
Other local sports clubs include a boxing club (Sean McDermott Boxing Club), hillwalking club (Holey Soles Hillwalking Club), and others involved in fishing, athletics, basketball, Irish dancing, table tennis and badminton.[citation needed]
Media
Local media organisations include the Leitrim Observer newspaper, and the town and its hinterland is covered by Ocean FM radio station, which had a studio in Manorhamilton until 2017.[15]
^Leitrim County Council 2015, p. 7: "Ballinamore and Manorhamilton provide retail services akin to a tier 4 settlement in the national retail hierarchy, albeit without the relevant urban population, but with sizeable 'retail catchments'"
^Leitrim County Council 2015, p. 63: "Asides from the service providers, the main sources of employment within the town of Manorhamilton include Mirror Controls International (MCi), Merenda Ltd., Elastometall Ireland, the HSE, Leitrim County Council, Manorhamilton Livestock Mart & Export Sales, Lock Up Alarms Ltd. and Melvin Plastics."
