Clonmel Cluain Meala | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 The Quays, Clonmel. | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Motto: | |
  Clonmel Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:52°21′14″N7°42′42″W / 52.3539°N 7.7116°W /52.3539; -7.7116 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Tipperary |
| Government | |
| • Dáil constituency | Tipperary |
| • EP constituency | South |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.5 km2 (4.1 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 18,369 |
| • Density | 1,750/km2 (4,530/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) |
| Eircode | E91 |
| Telephone area code | 052 |
| Irish Grid Reference | S199229 |
Clonmel (Irish:Cluain Meala, meaning 'honey meadow') is thecounty town and largest settlement ofCounty Tipperary,Ireland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to theCromwellian army which sacked the towns ofDrogheda andWexford. With the exception of thetownland of Suir Island, most of the borough is situated in thecivil parish of "St Mary's"[2] which is part of the ancientbarony ofIffa and Offa East.
The name Clonmel is derived from theanglicisation of the Irish nameCluain Meala meaning "honey meadow" or "honey valley". While it is not clearly known when it got this name, some sources suggest that it is associated with the fertility of the soil and the "richness of the country" in which it is located.[3]
Clonmel grew significantly inmedieval times and was protected bytown walls. A small section of the town walls remains in place nearOld St. Mary's Church. This church was originally built in the 14th century or earlier but has been reconstructed or renovated on numerous occasions. It was fortified early in its history, the town being strategically important, initially for theEarls of Ormonde, and later theEarl of Kildare. Some fortified parts of the church were destroyed or damaged during the mid-17th centuryCromwellian occupation.[citation needed]
One of the former entry points into the town is now the site of the West Gate, a 19th-century reconstruction of an older structure. There were originally three gates in the walled town, North, East and West – with the South being protected by the riverSuir and theComeragh Mountains. The West Gate is now an open arched entrance onto O'Connell Street, the main street of the town.[citation needed]
On 17 September 1583, while a fugitive during the last stages of theSecond Desmond Rebellion, Fr.Muiris Mac Ionrachtaigh, chaplain and confessor to theRebel Earl of Desmond, was taken prisoner uponSliabh Luachra and taken to Clonmel for imprisonment, while he continued his priestly ministry to the best of his ability.[4]
According to historian James Coombes, "Here, as in other southern towns,Counter-Reformation Catholicism was already beginning to make a real impact; and, as in these other towns, the citizens of Clonmel were beginning to come up against the problem of combining loyalty tothe Pope with loyalty tothe Queen. Maurice MacKenraghty continued his ministry during what proved to be a long imprisonment".[5]
In April 1585, his jailer was bribed by Victor White, a leading townsman, to release the priest for one night to sayMass and administer Communion in White's house[6] onEaster Sunday (11 April 1585). Permission was granted, and Fr. MacKenraghty spent the whole night hearing Confessions.[5]
The jailer, however, had secretly tipped off thePresident of MunsterSir John Norris, who had just arrived at Clonmel. According to historian James Coombes, "Norris arranged to have White's house surrounded by soldiers and raided. The raiding party entered it shortly before Mass was due to begin and naturally caused great panic. Some people tried to hide in the basement; others jumped through the windows; one woman broke her arm in an attempt to escape. The priest hid in a heap of straw and was wounded in the thigh by the probing sword of a soldier. Despite the pain, he remained silent and later escaped. The soldiers dismantled the altar and seized the sacred vessels".[5]
According to historian Judy Barry, Fr. Mac Ionrachtaigh, "surrendered himself when he learned that White would otherwise be executed in his place. He refused to take theoath of supremacy and was condemned to death. On 30 April 1585 he was tied to the tail of a horse and taken to the market place, where he was partially hanged. Accounts differ as to whether his executioners were persuaded to behead him without quartering his body. At all events, after his remains had been exhibited for some days on the market cross, they were handed over to local Catholics for honourable burial".[6]
According to historian James Coombes, the former location of Victor White's house near Lough Street in Clonmel continued to be nicknamed "Martyr Lane" until well into Cromwellian times.[7] Fr. Muiris Mac Ionrachtaigh wasbeatified byPope John Paul II, along with 16 otherIrish Catholic Martyrs, on 27 September 1992.[8][9]
Under a charter granted byJames I of England, Clonmel became afree borough on 5 July 1608, and the mayor and officers of the town were granted the power to "name, elect and constitute one Swordbearer and three Sergeants-at-Mace". The present sword and two silver maces date only from Cromwellian times. The sword, ofToledo manufacture, was donated by Sir Thomas Stanley in 1656 and displays the arms and motto of the town. The larger mace is stamped 1663.[10]
_(cropped).jpg)
Oliver Cromwell laidsiege to Clonmel in May 1650. The walls were eventually breached, butHugh Dubh O'Neill, the commander of the town's garrison, inflicted heavy losses on theNew Model Army when they tried to storm the breach. That night, O'Neill, deciding that further resistance was hopeless due to a lack of ammunition, led his soldiers and camp followers out of the town under cover of darkness. The story is told that Cromwell became suspicious of O'Neill's desperate situation when a silver bullet was discharged by the townspeople at his troops outside the walls.[11] The following morning, 18 May 1650, mayor John White was able to surrender the town on good terms as Cromwell was still unaware of the garrison's escape just hours before. Although feeling deceived, Cromwell did not put the inhabitants 'to the sword' as occurred elsewhere.
After being denounced by three men who desired the £5 bounty and arrested atFethard while vested forMass onHoly Saturday, 25 March 1654,AugustinianFriarWilliam Tirry was taken to Clonmel Gaol (on the future site of theClonmel Borstal) and held there pending trial. On 26 April, he was tried by a jury and Commonwealth judges, including ColonelSolomon Richards, for violating the proclamation of 6 January 1653, which defined it ashigh treason forpriests to remain in Ireland. In his own defense, Fr. Tirry replied that while he viewed the Commonwealth as the lawful government, he had no choice but to disobey its laws, as the pope had ordered him to remain in Ireland. Fr. Tirry was according found guilty and sentenced todeath by hanging, which was carried out in Clonmel on 2 May 1654.[12]
An account told byFranciscanFriar Matthew Fogarty, who had been tried with Friar William Tirry, supplies further details: "William, wearing his Augustinian habit, was led to the gallows praying therosary. He blessed the crowd which had gathered, pardoned his betrayers and affirmed his faith. It was a moving moment for Catholics and Protestants alike."[13]
Despite the efforts of a Puritan minister to silence him, Fr. Tirry told the assembled crowd, "there is only one true Church, whose head is the pope: Pope and Church are to be obeyed. He publicly forgave the three men who had betrayed him, and... stated explicitly that he had been offered life and favour, it would renounce his religion." Fr. Tirry was then hanged, after which he was buried, with some ceremony, in the ruins of the Augustinian friary in nearby Fethard. The evidence is that he was buried in the grounds, rather than inside the ruins of the church, but it has not yet been possible to locate his grave.[14] Fr. William Tirry wasbeatified byPope John Paul II along with 16 otherIrish Catholic Martyrs on 27 September 1993.[15] The Augustinian order celebrates hisfeast day on 12 May.[16]
During the second half of the 18th century, theSean-nós songPríosún Chluain Meala was composed insideClonmel Gaol by one O'Donnell, a member of theWhiteboys originally fromIveragh,County Kerry, who was being held awaitingexecution by hanging upon the following Friday. According to Donal O'Sullivan, O'Donnell had two companions awaiting the rope with him and that their heads were posthumously severed from their bodies anddisplayed spiked upon the prison gates. "The Gaol of Cluain Meala", an English translation of the lyrics, was made byCounty Cork poetJeremiah Joseph Callanan (1795–1829).[17]
A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion ofKickham Barracks in 1805.[18] During an 1807 visit to Ireland on behalf of theLondon Hibernian Society,Welsh nonconformist ministerThomas Charles alleged ruefully that theReformation in Ireland had failed because of the refusal of Protestant clergy to preach or educate in the localvernacular. Of his visit to Clonmel, Rev. Charles recalled, "All the county spokeIrish... they spoke Irish in the streets."[19]
Following the failed attempt at rebellion nearBallingarry in 1848, the captured leaders of theYoung Irelanders were brought to Clonmel for trial.[20] The event was followed with great interest internationally and for its duration brought journalists from around the country and Britain toClonmel Courthouse. Standing in the dock in the image opposite isThomas Francis Meagher,Terence MacManus andPatrick O'Donoghue. Their co-defendant,William Smith O'Brien was also sentenced to behanged, drawn and quartered, the last occasions such a sentence was handed down in Ireland. When delivering the guilty verdict, the foreman of theGrand Jury, R.M. Southcote Mansergh, great-grandfather of the academicNicholas Mansergh stated:
We earnestly recommend the prisoner to the merciful consideration of the Government, being unanimously of opinion that for many reasons his life should be spared.[21]
The sentences of O'Brien and other members of theIrish Confederation were eventually commuted totransportation for life toVan Diemen's Land. A conspiracy to rescue the prisoners on 8 November led byJohn O'Leary andPhilip Gray was betrayed and resulted in the arrest at 'The Wilderness' of seventeen armed rebels led by Gray.[22]
Clonmel was the location of the foundation of theLabour Party in 1912 byJames Connolly,James Larkin andWilliam O'Brien as the political wing of theIrish Trades Union Congress.[23]
In November 2015, the town was the location of Ireland's first marriage between two men.[24]
Clonmel was one of ten boroughs retained by theMunicipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840. The borough corporation elected 12 councillors. The first mayor of Clonmel Borough in 1843 was John Hackett, owner of theTipperary Free Press.[25]Clonmel Town Hall was opened in 1882.[26]
Under theLocal Government (Ireland) Act 1898, the area became anurban district,[27] while its body retained the style of a borough corporation.[28] The borough corporation became a borough council in 2002.[29] On 1 June 2014, the borough council was dissolved and administration of the town was amalgamated intoTipperary County Council.[30][31] Pat English was the last Mayor of Clonmel Borough Council.[25]
Clonmel retains the right to be described as a borough.[32] The chair of the borough district uses the title of mayor, rather than Cathaoirleach.[33] As of the2019 Tipperary County Council election, thelocal electoral area of Clonmel elected 6 councillors.[34]
As of 2024, Clonmel is withinDáil constituency ofTipperary South which elects threeTDs toDáil Éireann (the Irish parliament).[35]
The town is built in the valley of theRiver Suir. It divides the town which is mainly located on the north bank. To the south, the town is surrounded by theComeragh Mountains andSlievenamon to the northeast. To the north, east and west is some of Ireland's richest farmland, known as theGolden Vale. The town covers a land area of approximately 11.59 km2.
| Climate data for Clonmel (Gortmaloge) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 15 (59) | 15 (59) | 17 (63) | 19 (66) | 23 (73) | 27 (81) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 25 (77) | 20 (68) | 16 (61) | 15 (59) | 28 (82) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9 (48) | 9 (48) | 10 (50) | 12 (54) | 15 (59) | 18 (64) | 19 (66) | 18 (64) | 17 (63) | 14 (57) | 11 (52) | 9 (48) | 13 (56) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 5 (41) | 5 (41) | 5 (41) | 6 (43) | 9 (48) | 11 (52) | 13 (55) | 13 (55) | 12 (54) | 10 (50) | 7 (45) | 5 (41) | 8 (47) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −8 (18) | −4 (25) | −8 (18) | −2 (28) | −1 (30) | 5 (41) | 6 (43) | 5 (41) | 2 (36) | 0 (32) | −9 (16) | −9 (16) | −9 (16) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 86.8 (3.42) | 72.8 (2.87) | 62.0 (2.44) | 57.0 (2.24) | 57.0 (2.24) | 63.0 (2.48) | 77.5 (3.05) | 80.6 (3.17) | 69.0 (2.72) | 96.1 (3.78) | 90.0 (3.54) | 96.1 (3.78) | 907.9 (35.73) |
| Average precipitation days | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 244 |
| Source:[36] | |||||||||||||
TheRiver Suir floods the local area after very heavy rainfalls in the up-river catchment area of 2,173 km2. TheOffice of Public Works (OPW) completed and installed a Flood Forecasting System which has been used since 2007. The flood of 2015 had a flow of 390m3/s, 2004 had a flow of 354m3/s with the flood of 2000 having a flow of 353m3/s. The 2015 flood was the worst since that of 1946, which had seen a flow of 479m3/s. Phase 1 of the Clonmel Flood Defence (planned to cope with a100-year flood) started in 2007. It was scheduled to be completed by late 2009. Phases two and three were completed by 2012. Property omitted from Phase 1 along the Convent Road were protected in 2014 and the access to the river for the workmen's boat club was also raised. Flooding of October 2014 was less than a 1–5 flood with a flow of 300m3/s. As part of a media exercise by the OPW the barriers were all put up.[37]
The flood defence consists of demountable barriers, walls and earth banks. Flooding occurred at the Gashouse Bridge, Coleville Road, Davis Road, the Quays and the Old Bridge area before the flood defences.[citation needed]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1821 | 15,590 | — |
| 1831 | 15,134 | −2.9% |
| 1841 | 13,505 | −10.8% |
| 1851 | 11,589 | −14.2% |
| 1861 | 11,646 | +0.5% |
| 1871 | 10,112 | −13.2% |
| 1881 | 9,325 | −7.8% |
| 1891 | 8,480 | −9.1% |
| 1901 | 10,167 | +19.9% |
| 1911 | 10,209 | +0.4% |
| 1926 | 9,056 | −11.3% |
| 1936 | 9,391 | +3.7% |
| 1946 | 9,857 | +5.0% |
| 1951 | 10,471 | +6.2% |
| 1956 | 11,134 | +6.3% |
| 1961 | 11,087 | −0.4% |
| 1966 | 11,457 | +3.3% |
| 1971 | 12,291 | +7.3% |
| 1981 | 14,808 | +20.5% |
| 1986 | 15,517 | +4.8% |
| 1991 | 15,562 | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 16,182 | +4.0% |
| 2002 | 16,910 | +4.5% |
| 2006 | 17,008 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 17,908 | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 17,140 | −4.3% |
| 2022 | 18,369 | +7.2% |
| [38][39] | ||
The2016 census used a new boundary created by theCentral Statistics Office (CSO) to define the town of Clonmel and environs, resulting in a population figure of 17,140.[40] The2022 census (undertaken on 3 April 2022) determined that Clonmel had a population of 18,369,[39] making it the27th largest urban area in Ireland.[1] The population was about 12,400 in 1985.[41]
Clonmel's main shopping streets include Gladstone Street, O'Connell Street, Mitchell Street and Market Place.[42] Retailers in this area includeElverys Sports,Penneys,River Island,Easons andLifestyle Sports.[citation needed]
The Showgrounds Shopping Centre, built during theCeltic Tiger on the town's original showground, is approximately 1 km from the town centre.[citation needed] This shopping centre has retailers such asM&S andTKMaxx.[43]
The Poppyfield Retail Park is located on the outskirts of the town. Developed in 2004, it has stores such as DID Electrical,Supervalu, Maxi Zoo,Woodie's and World of Wonder.[44] There is also a hotel on the site.[citation needed]
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Clonmel is home to several multi-national companies, including in the medical area.[citation needed] The two biggest medical companies in the town areAbbott andBoston Scientific, both of which manufacture implantable devices.[citation needed]
Several beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are produced in the town.Bulmerscider, also known asMagners outside Ireland, was founded in the town and is still brewed in a complex 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east of the town with orchards surrounding it. The original brewery in the town is set to become a new visitor attraction.[needs update][citation needed] Glenpatrick Spring Water bottles still, carbonated and flavoured water from the limestone rocks beneathSlievenamon for a number of supermarket chains.[citation needed]
Clonmel is home to international engineering and construction groups such asKentz andSepam which were both founded in the town. Sepam has been involved in several large infrastructure projects around the world such as theQueen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London,Disneyland Shanghai and some of the terminals atHeathrow Airport.[citation needed]
Tipp FM is a local radio station for the county of Tipperary. It has its main office in Clonmel. In 2019, Tippfm had over 69,000 listeners tuning in every week, representing a market share to 35%.[45] It broadcasts on FM, on 95.3, 97.1, 103.3 and 103.9. The Clonmel transmitter broadcasts on 97.1 MHz.[citation needed]
Clonmel is home to several newspapers. These includeThe Nationalist, founded in 1890, which is a broadsheet newspaper that appears weekly. It covers both Clonmel town and South Tipperary and was formed to represent the views of the nationalist community in Tipperary. This led to the first editor being jailed under theCoercion Act on charges that he had intimidated a cattle dealer for taking a farm from which tenants had been evicted.[46] It has been run byJohnston Press since 2014.
Also owned by Johnston Press isSouth Tipp Today, a free tabloid newspaper founded in 1995. It is delivered door-to-door in some areas, and available in local shops across South Tipperary.[citation needed]
The Sporting Press, also published and printed in Clonmel, covers news related to thegreyhound community in Ireland. As of 2007, it had a circulation of approximately 7,500.[47]
TheTipperary Free Press was established in 1826 by the future first Catholic Lord Mayor of Clonmel, John Hackett. It had a circulation of 45,650 in 1829 and supported "liberal" causes.[48] It supportedDaniel O'Connell's movement forCatholic emancipation. Hackett was sued for libel on several occasions for hiscaricatures of political rivals. Printed on O'Connell Street bi-weekly, it circulated in counties Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork and Limerick.[49] In its later years, it assumed a Catholic-Whig political leaning and ceased printing in 1880 when it was replaced by theTipperary Independent (1880–1892).[50]
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TheTipperary Museum of Hidden History tells the history ofCounty Tipperary from theStone Age to the present. It is also host to several special exhibitions each year. It was the first custom-built county museum in Ireland.[51]
TheMain Guard was a civic building until 1810 when it was converted to shops. During a one restoration, some of its sandstone columns were found to have been 'reclaimed' from the Medieval ruins of theCistercianInislounaght Abbey atMarlfield. It was used in the past as aTholsel or office to collect tolls, duties and customs dues, a place for civic gatherings and as a court. It now houses an exhibition showing the historic development of Clonmel, including a model of the town as it appeared in the 13th century.[citation needed]
The South Tipperary Arts Centre opened in 1996. As well as presenting a range of visual arts exhibitions in the main gallery space, the centre also host events such as music, performance, art classes, poetry readings and dance. The centre has an upstairs studio which is used for short term exhibitions and screenings, as well as for a variety of classes and workshops.[citation needed]
The White Memorial Theatre building is a former Wesleyan/Methodist Chapel and was designed and built by local architectWilliam Tinsley in 1843.[52] The building was purchased in 1975 by St. Mary's Choral Society[53] and named after society founder Professor James A White. In addition to hosting performances, the building hosts shows by the Stage Craft Youth Theatre group.[citation needed]
Clonmel's Stagecraft Youth Theatre was founded in 1998. It provides training for young actors in several aspects of theatre practice.[citation needed] Stagecraft is one of Ireland's largest youth theatres and is affiliated with NAYD.[citation needed] In 2011, a 45-seat studio theatre, known as "The Hub", was opened in Albert Street. The Hub is home to Stagecraft.[citation needed]
TheIMC, with five screens and located on Kickham Street, is the town's only remaining cinema.[54] Other cinemas formerly operated in the town including the Ritz, which opened in 1940[55] and was located on the site of the presentCredit Union. The first cinema in the town opened in January 1913 as the Clonmel Cinema Theatre. Later renamed the Clonmel Electric Picture Palace, it was located at the rear of No. 35 Gladstone Street. It was soon followed by John Magner's Theatre at the Mall, which burned to the ground in 1919, to be re-built in 1921 with an increased capacity of over a thousand seats. It was eventually named the Regal Theatre and remodelled as an 850-seat theatre, which finally closed in 2001.[56] It was in the Regal Theatre where the tenorFrank Patterson made his stage debut.[57] The Oisin, in O'Connell Street, was of a similar scale and was also built in 1921. It was destroyed in a fire in 1965.[58]
For nine days from the first weekend of July, the town hosts the annualClonmel Junction Festival. It consists of a mix ofstreet theatre, rock,traditional andworld music. Children from local schools andcommunity groups have previously been invited to participate with support from local artists.[citation needed]
"Finding a Voice" is a festival that is held aroundInternational Women's Day, 8 March. It presents performances of music by female composers.[59]
The town is home to the International Film Festival Ireland, which focuses on independent films. Its inaugural event was during September 2009[60] and ran for five days. It subsequently became an annual event, occurring every September.[61] The 2010 event expanded to include a Youth Film Festival, that showcased locally made short films.[62]
Clonmel's busking festival runs for four days every August. It provides free music events during the day in the town centre, while at night a number of concerts take place in venues throughout the town.[63]
Banna Chluain Meala (translating as 'Clonmel band') was founded in 1971. Originally a brass band, it later developed as a brass and reed band, which included concert, marching and field show performances. The band also has a colour guard section. The band has been crowned IMBA (Irish Marching Bands Association) champions on a number of occasions.[citation needed]
Clonmel has hosted the Irish traditional music festival, theFleadh Cheoil, on five occasions from 1992 to 1994 inclusive, and again in 2003 and 2004.
One of the better-known songs concerning Clonmel is "The Gaol of Cluain Meala", a translation from the turn of the 19th century by a Cork man,Jeremiah Joseph Callanan, of the traditionalIrish-language song "Príosún Chluain Meala".[64] It was revived by the balladeerLuke Kelly in the 1960s. The narrator in the Irish republican song "Galtee Mountain Boy" farewells Clonmel in the song. It was written by Patsy Halloran from Clonmel.[65]
Music venues in Clonmel include The Piper Inn, which previously hosted a show by Irish rock bandThin Lizzy.[citation needed]
Vertue rewarded, or The Irish princess (1693), one of the earliestromance novels written in the English language, tells the story of "Merinda" from High Street, Clonmel and aWilliamite officer stationed in the town during theJacobite war.[66]
Raymond Chandler's 1939 novelThe Big Sleep features Rusty Regan as a main character: "A big curly-headed Irishman from Clonmel, with sad eyes and a smile as wide as Wilshire Boulevard."[67]
Charles Kickham's 1873 novelKnocknagow had two main characters modelled on Clonmel locals. These were his cousins, Dr T.J. Crean Sr. as"Arthur O'Conner" and his wife Clara Crean (née Kickham) as"Mary Kearney", who both lived on Queen Street at the time.[68]
John Flanagan's 2009 novelThe Kings of Clonmel uses Clonmel as a fictional kingdom. It is the eighth book in theRanger's Apprentice series.[69]
Clonmel is home to Clonmel Celtic, Old Bridge, Wilderness Rovers and Clonmel Town who play in the Tipperary Southern & District League (TSDL).[70]
Clonmel Rugby Club plays in theAll Ireland League, Division 2C. The rugby club was founded in 1892.[71] Clonmel won the Munster Junior Cup for the first time in its 122-year history in 2014.[72]
Clonmel is home to severalGaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs.Clonmel Óg was established in 1984 and it competes in the senior division.[73]Moyle Rovers GAA club is based just outside the town.[citation needed] TheGaelic football club,Clonmel Commercials, won the 2015-16Munster Senior Club Football Championship title.[74] They went on to reach the semi-finals of the2015–16 All Ireland Football Club championships, losing out toBallyboden St. Endas, who would go on to win the championship. Together with their sister hurling club,St. Mary's, they are located on Western Road.[citation needed]
Clonmel Rowing Club (CRC), founded in 1869, is located about 500 meters west of the town centre. The club won the Senior Men's 'eight' championships in 1920. The club is based on Moor's Island, on theSuir, and is known locally as "The Island".[75] CRC has had a purpose-built boathouse since 1979, with boat storage on the ground floor. Upstairs are twosquash courts, a function hall and dressing rooms.[citation needed]
The Workmen's Boat Club (WBC) was established in 1883. The property was leased from the Bagwell estate until 1999 when it was finally purchased by the club. In 2007, the club undertook the restoration of the historic racing craftCruiskeen, which was built in the 1840s by GAA founder memberMaurice Davin.[76] The project took several years of cleaning, treatment and repair and the 38 ft./11.6m timber boat is now on permanent display in the County Museum, Clonmel.[77]
Clonmel Racecourse, also known as Powerstown Park, hosts bothNational Hunt (jump) andflat racing events.[78] This racecourse is also used forgreyhound events and is home of the annual NationalHare Coursing meeting.[citation needed]
Clonmel's cricket club, United Cricket Clonmel, fields teams in competitions organised by theMunster Cricket Union.[79] The club's adult and youth teams play their home games in the Presentation Convent Field.[citation needed]
The area is also home to Clonmel Athletic Club which was founded in 1971.[80]
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Primary schools in the area includeGaelscoil Chluain Meala which has around 200 pupils enrolled.[81] Located at Irishtown and originally known as the "Free School", the school building was designed by two pupils of the architectJohn Nash.[82]
St Mary's Parochial School, also known as the Model School, traces its roots to the Incorporated Society School of 1832. ThisChurch of Ireland school is located on the Western Road.[citation needed]
Other primary andnational schools include St Oliver's National School (founded in 1982),[83] St.Mary's CBS, St. Peter and Paul's CBS, Sisters of Charity Girls School and Presentation Primary School.[citation needed]
The larger secondary schools in Clonmel includePresentation Convent (girls; Roman Catholic;c. 470 pupils)[84] Loreto Convent (girls; Roman Catholic;c. 480 pupils)[85] andCBS High School (boys; Roman Catholic; over 700).[86]
The Clonmel Central Technical Institute (CTI Clonmel) comprises three sections: an English-medium secondary school, anIrish-medium secondary school and a "College of Further Education".[87] The English-medium school, Raheen College (orColáiste Chluain Meala), is co-educational and under the control of the localEducation and Training Board. It reputedly traces its history to 1842.[88] The Irish-medium school (orGaelcholáiste), namedGaelcholáiste Chéitinn after the poetGeoffrey Keating,[89][90] was established in 2004 in response to a demand for second-level education through the medium of Irish.[91] The college of further education, CTI Senior College of Further Education, offersPost Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses.[87] As of 2024, CTI Clonmel had a combined enrollment of approximately 285 students,[92] up from 238 in 2016.[93]
Clonmel is home to a campus of theTechnological University of the Shannon.[94] This campus was previously part ofLimerick Institute of Technology (LIT), until its merger with theAthlone Institute of Technology (AIT) to form the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in 2021.[95] Courses in animation, visual effects and game design are undertaken at the TUS Clonmel campus.[94]
Clonmel is located on theN24, the national primary roadway that links the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The N24 westbound connects Clonmel to junction 10 of theCork toDublinM8 motorway, while eastbound it links the town withKilkenny via theN76.
Charles Bianconi, onetime mayor of the town, ran his pioneering public transport system of horse-drawn carriages from Clonmel.[citation needed]
Clonmel is today served by three town bus routes (routes CL1, CL2 and CL9) operated byTFI Local Link.[96]
Clonmel railway station opened on 1 May 1852.[97] Today there are two trains daily toWaterford viaCarrick on Suir, and two toLimerick Junction (for main-line connections toDublin), viaCahir andTipperary town. There is no Sunday service.
The River Suir had been made navigable to Clonmel from 1760 when completion of theRiver Suir Navigation in the 19th century allowed large vessels to reach the town'squays.[citation needed]
Clonmel istwinned with several places:
|
Census 2022 identified that the Built-up Area (BUA) of Clonmel had a population of 18,369
the 'Primary Retail Area' (PRA) for Clonmel [..] is primarily defined by the following streets: O'Connell Street [..] Gladstone Street [..] Mitchell Street [..] Market Place
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)The total current enrolment of the second-level elements of the Central Technical Institute is 238 students. The current enrolment of Coláiste Chluain Meala is 117 students while the current enrolment of Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn is 121
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