CarrickMacRoss.ie
Title
Carrickmacross.ie - Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. Tourism, Business and local information
Description
Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross, Carraig Mhacaire Rois - a 'rock on the wooded plain' - didn't develop as a town until early in the 17th Century. In 1634 the town of Carrickmacross consisted of Essex Castle, built circa 1630 and occupied by the third Earl of Essex for some time, an inn belonging to William Cesar, (which at the time was the only house with a slated roof, windows and chimney) and about a dozen hovels roofed with straw, no windows, no chimneys. Nearby was Magheross which consisted of more than a dozen similar hovels, in which the Irish lived.
The rebellion of 1641 halted the growth of Carrickmacross and it wasn't until the 1650's that the town started to grow again. During this time the Irish moved into the town in great numbers. Carrickmacross was regarded as a large town in the 1660's, second only to Monaghan town. In 1682 St.Finbarr's church was rebuilt, the original church having been burned by rebels in 1642. The Williamite wars brought disturbance once again to the town and it was during this time that Essex Castle was destroyed. (The convent of St. Louis now occupies this site)
The 18th Century saw Carrickmacross develop further. The market, held on Thursdays expanded, bringing new prosperity to the town. The town housed the only pig market in the county and had the principal butter market in that part of Ireland. A wide range of goods was on offer at the market including: cattle, sheep, wool, hemp, tallow, timber, bread, apples, horses, brogues, pigs, yarn, leather, beer, hens, butter and eggs. Originally goods were sold at stalls on the streets or on the approach roads to the town, however over the years shops became more commonplace.
Languages
English
Logos
