About Annaghdown

Corrandulla, the main village of the parish, is situated just off the N84 Galway to Headford road, 15km from Galway city. The village of Annaghdown, which gives the parish its name, is located on the opposite side of the N84 to Corrandulla and can be reached from Galway city by taking a left turn in the village of Cloonboo on the N84.

There are two churches in the parish: the parish church in Corrandulla village (St. Brendan's) and Annaghdown, in the townland of Woodpark, close to Lough Corrib (St. Brendan's Church by the Lake).

Major local landmarks are the monastic complex at Annaghdown (a national monument), which includes the ruins of Annaghdown Abbey, a ruined house of the Arroasian canons, the abbey of St. John the Baptist de Cella Parva, a house of Premonstratensian Canons, and a nunnery, founded in the sixth century, according to tradition, by St. Brendan, and placed under the direction of his sister Briga. Annaghdown Cathedral, seat of the Bishop of Annaghdown until the dissolution of the diocese, stands roofless at the north end of the present cemetery. Nearby is the recently restored Annaghdown Castle, likely built by the O'Flaherty clan in the late 14th century.

Cregg Castle, built by the Kirwan family in the mid 17th century, is located in the townland of Cregg at the eastern end of the parish. The most famous member of the Kirwan family was Richard Kirwan, 1733-1812, chemist, meteorologist, geologist, and President of the Royal Irish Academy. Cregg was leased to the Blake family in 1803 and the Kirwan family removed to the nearby Bawnmore House. The Blake family sold the castle in 1947. Outside the castle gate stands Cregg Mills, one of three mills which stood on the Cregg river and served the area. The mill was erected about 1780 and the Wade family were the millers there for many years.

Townlands in the Parish

Addergoole, Annagh East, Annagh West, Annaghdown, Ardgaineen, Aucloggeen, Ballylee, Balrobuckbeg, Balrobuckmore, Barranny, Barravilla, Bawnmore, Biggerabeg, Biggeramore, Bolisheen, Bunatober, Bunnahevellybeg, Bunnahevellymore, Bunoghanaun, Caherlea, Cahermorris, Carheeny, Carraghy, Carrowbeg North, Carrowbeg South, Carrownrooaun, Cartron, Castlecreevy, Castlequarter, Cloonagh, Cloonboo, Cloonleenaun, Cluidrevagh, Corbally, Corrandulla, Coteenty, Cregduff, Cregg, Drumbaun, Drumgriffin, Gardenham or Garrymore, Glebe, Glenrevagh, Gortroe, Grange, Kilcahill, Kilgill, Lisheenanoran, Mace, Muckrush, Mullaghadrum, Park, Racoona, Rinnaharney, Shanbally, Shankill, Slievefin, Tomnahulla, Tonegurrane, Tonamace, Turloughgarve, Woodpark.

Several unhabited islands in Lough Corrib are also within the parish: Billybeg Island, Rabbit Island, Illaunaneel, Illaunaneel West, Illaunaveetry, Walsh's Island, and thirty five islands of no agricultural value.