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Tuam

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Tuam
Tuaim
Coat of arms of Tuam
Motto: Tuath Thuma go Buan
Location
Location of Tuam
centerMap highlighting Tuam
Irish grid reference
M436521
Statistics
Province: Connacht
County: County Galway
Dáil Éireann: Galway East
European Parliament: North-West
Dialling code: 093
Elevation: 50 m

Population (2006)
 - Town:
 - Environs:
  2,997
  4,622

Tuam (Irish: Tuaim) is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um (IPA: [tʃuəm]). It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.

Contents

[edit] History

The record of human settlement in Tuam dates back to the Bronze Age when an area adjacent to Shop Street was used as a burial ground. The name Tuam comes from the Latin term tumulus or burial mound. The town's ancient name wasTuaim Dá Ghualainn, i.e. the burial mound of two shoulders. This probably refers to the high ground on either side of the River Nanny, overlooking a probable fording point over the River Nanny (or Corchra). In 1875, a Bronze Age burial urn was discovered in the area by workmen, dating from c.1500 B.C. [1] An early glass photograph still exists.

The history of Tuam as a settlement dates from the early 6th century. Legend states that a monk called Jarlath, or Iarlaith, who was a member of a religious community at Cloonfush some four miles west of Tuam and adjacent to the religious settlement at Kilbannon. Jarlath's life became uncertain as he wished to travel. Eventually, Jarlath's abbot St. Benignus of Kilbannon told him to "Go, and where ever your chariot wheel breaks, there shall be the site of your new monastery and the place of your resurrection". Jarlath's wheel broke at Tuam and he established a monastery there. As was typical with early settlements in Ireland, religious sites became established first and towns grew around them. Likewise, Tuam grew up around the monastery and has kept the broken chariot wheel as its heraldic symbol.

In 1049, when Hugh O'Connor defeated Amalgaid O'Flaherty, King of West Connacht, the O'Connor Kings became Kings of all Connacht, O'Connor built a castle at Tuam and made it his principle stronghold. This event was directly responsible for the subsequent rise in the importance of the town. In 1111, Turlough Mór O'Connor became High King of Ireland by force of arms and this brought Tuam its most prominent status as the centre of the seat of power in the 12th century.

At the Synod of Kells in 1152, the centre of government also became the ecclesiastical centre, as Tuam was erected into an Archbishopric, with Hugh O'Hession as the first Archbishop.

Turlough Mór O'Connor, (Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair) High King of Ireland from 1128–1156, was a great patron of the Irish Church and it was due to his patronage that Tuam became the home of some masterpieces of 12th century Celtic art. Turlough was succeeded by his son Ruaidrí (Rory), the last native High King of Ireland. In 1164, Ruaidrí had a "wonderful castle" erected, with a large courtyard defended by lofty and massive walls and a deep moat into which the adjacent river was diverted through. Following the destruction of the first Cathedral in 1184, Rory O'Connor left Tuam and retired to the abbey at Cong where he entrusted the Church valuables from the Cathedral at Tuam into the care of the abbot. This left Tuam as a small, unimportant backwater and it wasn't until the early 17th century that it began to grow in importance again.

Throughout history, Tuam has been an important commercial centre with fairs and markets being an important part of commerce in the region. One of its fairs dates to 1252 when Letters Patent were granted to Archbishop MacFlynn by Henry III. Other fairs were authorised by Charters granted by James I and George III [2].

In July 1920, the town hall and other properties were burned down by armed Royal Irish Constabulary men, after two had been killed in an ambush by the Irish Republican Army near the town the day before.

[edit] The High Crosses of Tuam

High Cross of Tuam
Headpiece of the High Cross of Tuam

The High Cross of Tuam was erected in 1152 possibly to commemorate the appointment of the first Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Aodh O'hOisín (Hugh O'Hession). An inscription at the base calls for "A prayer for O'hOisín; for the Abbot; by whom it was made". It is reputed to have been the tallest of the High Crosses of Ireland, but its artistry is scarred by the absence of the top portion of the main shaft.[2] The sandstone Cross was originally erected in proximity to the earliest Cathedral erected in the town, a part of which still remains and is incorporated into St Mary's Cathedral (12th century red sandstone chancel arch in Irish Romanesque style which is a National monument). The original High Cross or Market cross may have been erected close to what is now the Market Square and High Street. When the first Cathedral collapsed after being destroyed by fire in 1184, the High Cross was dismantled into pieces each under different ownership. The archaeologist, George Petrie, discovered the base of the High Cross c.1820 and went on to discover 2 other pieces in other locations. The High Cross also contains another portion from another High Cross, a ringed cross-section on top. In addition to the Market Cross, it is likely that there were at least four other carved stone crosses from the Connor's reign in the town. An area close to the town Square, known as the Shambles, which continued to function as a market place until recently, was also at one point the location of the Market Cross until 1721.[3]

The Cross was then brought to Dublin for the Great Exhibition of 1852. However, prior to its return to Tuam, a disagreement arose between the two Churches. Catholic Archbishop Dr. John MacHale claimed the Cross rightfully belonged to Catholics, with Dean Charles Seymour of the Church of Ireland asserting a Protestant claim. Agreement was reached with the Cross erected half way between both Cathedrals and positioned so that it was visible from all main streets of the town. It was situated in the Square in the town centre in 1874.

By the late 1980s, it was evident that the decorative stone carving of the Cross was deteriorating due to weathering and pollution. It was also felt that there was a danger from traffic passing within feet of the monument. After lengthy discussions, the Office of Public Works, removed the monument from the Square in April 1992. Following cleaning and minor restoration the High Cross was re-erected in the south transept of St. Mary's Cathedral where it is now situated, in proximity to its original location. St. Mary's Cathedral also houses the shaft of a third Cross fashioned from limestone. It is thought that all of the High Crosses would have marked the boundaries of the monastic section of Tuam.

[edit] Transport

  • Tuam is served by the N17 road (Galway to Sligo) and the N83 road (to Ballyhaunis) as well as R332 and R347. A bypass of the N17 (avoiding the currently congested junctions to the west of the town) is also planned, with land acquisition commencing by Galway County Council in late 2006. It is interesting to note that the design of this highway includes a bridge over the existing mothballed railway lines, thus acknowledging the potential future re-opening of the line.
  • The town is located on the for the moment disused railway line from Limerick to Sligo. There was a successful campaign (West-on-track) to have the line reopened as a Western Railway Corridor which was recognised in the Transport21 project. Construction work is well underway (with a 2009 opening date) on the line between Ennis and Athenry: http://www.westontrack.com/ . Passengers trains will run again between Limerick and Athenry/Galway with further extensions planned. Tuam railway station opened on 27 September 1860, closed to passenger traffic on 5 April 1976 and finally closed altogether on 18 December 1978.[4] The rail lines were heavily used by trains transporting sugar beet to the Irish Sugar Factory (CSET) located off the Ballygaddy Road. The train line was used during the filming of "The Quiet Man", and can be seen when John Wayne disembarks at Ballyglunin, around 6 km (4 mi) from Tuam.
  • Tuam is served by Bus Éireann routes 25, 52, 64, 417, 429 and 433.

[edit] Education

Tuam is the location of several educational institutions, St. Patrick's College (formerly the Christian Brothers School), St. Jarlath's College, MacHale Vocational School (Mixed), Presentation College Currylea and St Bridget's Secondary School. There are 3 main primary schools, Mercy Convent and the Presentation Convent for girls and St. Patrick's Primary School for boys. An amalgamation between St. Patrick's College and St. Jarlath's College has been finalized commencing for the 2009-2010 school year. St. Patrick's College has closed and the students will be moved into the Jarlath's campus in September.

[edit] Religion

Tuam has two cathedrals; The Cathedral of the Assumption (Roman Catholic), seat of the Archdiocese of Tuam, and the Church of Ireland's St. Mary's Cathedral.

[edit] Sport

[edit] Gaelic Games

The town has a strong Gaelic Athletic Association tradition: Tuam Stars, founded in 1888, is the local Gaelic football team, and are one of Galway's most successful clubs. From the period 1953–1960, Tuam Stars were the dominant force in the Galway County Championship winning seven titles in a row, with players such as Seán Purcell and Frank Stockwell playing at the time. St. Jarlath's College, Tuam has won the Hogan Cup (National Championship for secondary schools) a record 12 times since the competition began in 1946. The parish has a second Gaelic football club, Cortoon Shamrocks, founded in 1888.

Tuam Stadium (Páirc Naomh Iarflaith) was officially opened on May 21 1950 by the Archbishop of Tuam, Rev. Dr. Walsh. It became “the home of Galway football” and has a long history and tradition, having hosted many important matches including Connacht Senior Football Finals. A new €5 million redevelopment project has been granted planning permission including a new 6,400 capacity stand and ancillary facilities. Tuam Stadium Development Committee is currently fundraising for this ambitious project.[1]

[edit] Football

There are also two local soccer teams: Tuam Celtic A.F.C., founded in 1974 who play their home matches at Celtic Park, Cloonthue. Dynamo Blues, founded in 1978 whose home is the College Field, Athenry Road.

[edit] Rugby

Rugby, while third to football and soccer, has long been popular in Tuam. Tuam RFC draws its members from Tuam and its hinterland and plays its home matches at Garraun Park, Dublin Road.

[edit] Gymnastics

Tuam All Star Gymnastics Club, runs Beginner and Advanced classes from its Athenry Road base. The club boasts All - Ireland success taking its first national title in 2002. The club has had international success with club members competing for the Irish national team. Intensive training camps also take place during the school holidays at Easter and Summer.

The club also takes part in local St Patrick's Day parades and Tuam's Summer arts festival.

[edit] Golf

Tuam Golf Club was established on the 17th October 1904 with the original clubhouse situated at Cloonascragh on the Athenry Rd. Later, the club relocated to Mayfield, on the Dunmore Rd., in 1937 due to a deterioration of the Cloonascragh course. Although, in March 1940 a new club called the Commercial Golf Club was established, which renovated the course and remained for many years at Cloonascragh. World renowned Irish golfer Christy O'Connor Snr joined Tuam Golf Club as club professional in 1948. In order to develop an 18 hole course, Tuam Golf Club relocated to Barnacurragh (close to the original Cloonascragh course) and a new clubhouse and the first 9 holes were opened in 1975. 18 holes came into play by 1979, on the course designed by golf architect, Eddie Hackett. Improvement works have continued over the years with Christy O'Connor Jnr advising the club on course improvement works. The most recent design work have been under the guidance of golf architect Ken Kearney.

[edit] Athletics

Tuam Athletics Club is a thriving club, which, in addition to its many juvenile training sessions, holds training sessions and meets for adults.

[edit] Culture

[edit] The Arts

Earwig! Tuam Community Arts Group was formed in October 2003 to provide Tuam and its surroundings with an outlet for its creative talent. Since 2003, the group has organised the Earwig! Tuam Arts Festival which includes visual arts, theatre, drama, spectacle, children's arts workshops, street performance and music. The festival has now established itself as one of the highlights of the West of Ireland's arts scene. Earwig! also takes part in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Tuam with an emphasis on bringing movement and spectacle.

[edit] The Old Tuam Society

The Old Tuam Society has been in existence since 1942.A love of history and a deep interest in their local area in particular led a group of Tuam people to come together over sixty years ago with a view to preserving a record of the town’s illustrious past and to foster and promote that knowledge for the benefit of future generations. The society publish an annual called JOTS (Journal of the Old Tuam Society). According to an item in The Tuam Herald dated September 26, 1942 the new society was open to “all those who are interested in its aims, namely the preservation and study of the antiquities of Tuam and district.” Young and old were welcome as well as “members of the fair sex.” An invitation was issued to Tuam people scattered far and wide to join the circle for an annual subscription of two shillings and six pence.

[edit] Twinning

The following places are twinned with Tuam:

[edit] Market Day

The Tuam market was revived in 2006 by the Energise Tuam, a group which organised by local traders in conjunction with Tuam Chamber of Commerce in an effort to promote shopping in the town. It currently takes place on the last Saturday of every month, at the plaza in front of Tuam Shopping Centre. In the future, Galway County Council has earmarked the Shambles car park nearer the town centre as the market’s location on a permanent basis.[5]

[edit] Places of Interest

  • Temple Jarlath at High Street, marks the site of the earliest monastic settlement in Tuam, established by Jarlath circa 526-527 A.D. Temple Jarlath is situated near the town centre. It marks the site of an early monastic settlement dedicated to St Jarlath, Tuam's 6th century patron. The surviving ruins include a late 13th century parish church containing an east window in Transitional style.
  • The Mill Museum - This undershot mill found off Shop Street, which traces its origin to the 17th century, was in operation until 1964. It is the only preserved corn mill in the West of Ireland. The Mill Museum complex, located beside the river Nanny, consists of the restored corn mill with operating water wheel, an audiovisual museum and Tourist Information Office.
  • Castlehackett - Hackets Castle, close to Tuam, was home of the Hackett family at first; later of the Kirwans after the Cromwellian settlement.

[edit] People

in chronological order:

[edit] Trivia

  • The people of Tuam claim it is the smallest city in the world based on the presence of a cathedral, one of the original definitions of what constitutes a city. However, despite Tuam's two cathedrals, it is officially a town. Moreover, the city of St. David's in Wales has a smaller population and is officially a city.
  • Tuamstraße (Tuam Street) is located in Straubing, Germany, and is named in honour of the twinning of the two towns.
  • John Christopher Lydon, father of Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten, was born in the town. Rotten claims to have spent many summers in Tuam as a child in his autobiography, No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ A Brief History of Tuam. A Town of Two Cathedrals. © 2006
  2. ^ a b Tuam Official Guide c.1958
  3. ^ http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/tuam/6.html
  4. ^ "Tuam station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-11-24. 
  5. ^ http://www.galwaynews.ie/3230-tuam039s-revived-market-big-success
  6. ^ Christchurch street names R
  7. ^ Dick Dowling Statue, First Public Monument in Houston, Texas

[edit] External links

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Tuam.
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