Freemount, County Cork

Old Automobile Association sign indicating the distance to Freemount from Newmarket, County Cork

Freemount (Irish: Cillín an Chrónáin, meaning 'small church of Crónán')[1][2] is a village in County Cork in Ireland. It lies on the River Allow, which is crossed by Allow Bridge (dated 1834) on the R578 regional road.[3][4] As of the 2016 census, Freemount village had a population of 159 people.[5]

History and name

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The village and surrounding townland takes its original Irish name, Cillín an Chrónáin, from an early Christian church which was located on an earlier ringfort site.[6]

The village's later English name, Freemount, was first recorded in the mid-18th century,[1] and reputedly associated with the Freeman family of nearby Castlecor House.[2] The Freeman family purchased Castlecor House, in neighbouring Kilbrin, in the early 18th century.[7]

Amenities

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The Catholic church in the village is dedicated to Saint Michael and is in the Diocese of Cloyne.[8] A plaque on the facade of the church is dated 1842.[9]

The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Freemount GAA, competes in the Duhallow division.[10]

As of 2021, Freemount's national (primary) school had approximately 80 pupils enrolled.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cillín an Chrónáin / Freemount (see text/archival records)". logainm.ie. Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Freemount". freemountvillage.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Allow Bridge, Freemount, Cork". buildingsofireland.ie. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Temporary Road closure, R-578-303 County Cross/Tarrants Cross, Freemount to facilitate Road Strengthening". Cork County Council. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021 – via gov.ie.
  5. ^ "Sapmap Area - Settlements - Freemount". Census 2016. Central Statistics Office. April 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. ^ "CO015-015002-". Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork. Dublin: Govt Stationery Office. 2000. Bowman (1934, 626) recorded grass-covered mounds in ringfort (12488) as the remains of a church; 'Cillin Chronain - Saint Cronan's little church [..] and is responsible for the parish name'
  7. ^ "House: Castlecor / Estate(s): Freeman". landedestates.ie. Landed Estates Database. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Milford Parish". cloynediocese.ie. Diocese of Cloyne. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  9. ^ "CO006-125----". Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork. Dublin: Govt Stationery Office. 2000. In Freemount. T-shaped church [..] Date plaque in front wall inscribed: 'Rev. Rob. O'Riordan 1842'
  10. ^ "Freemount to relive glory days of 25 years ago". The Corkman. Independent News & Media. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Freemount National School". freemountns.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021. Freemount National School is a Roman Catholic co-educational school [..with..] 82 pupils enrolled

52°16′37″N 8°53′06″W / 52.277°N 8.885°W / 52.277; -8.885