Swinford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Swinford (disambiguation).

Swinford
Béal Átha na Muice

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53.9500° N 8.9500° W

Irish Grid Reference
G376004

Statistics

74 m

Population (2006)
- Town:
- Rural:

2,724
15,292

Swinford (Irish: Béal Átha na Muice) is a market-town in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland. Swinford is broken up into areas such as Midfield, Meelick, the town and Killasser.^[1]

Swinford on the N5, is a town located 10 miles from Ireland West Airport Knock (formerly known as Knock International Airport), and 20 minutes drive from Castlebar in Ireland. Situated on a tributary of the River Moy, Swinford is known for its fishing waters, including the Callow lakes and the lakes of Conn and Cullin.

Swinford hosts one of County Mayo's largest summer festivals and has done since the mid 1980's: Siamsa Sraide Swinford, (Fun in the Streets of Swinford). This Street festival of pageantry, céilí dancing, and heritage displays depicts much of the traditions of East Mayo. The first day features the Lovefest, a 12 hour long free music festival ^[2].

Up to the mid 1980s the town had 3 second level schools: St. Patrick's college, St. Mary's Convent and the Vocational school. All 3 schools had amalgamated by 1992.^{[citation needed]}

The town featured on an Irish comedy show, The Panel, after an attack by an unknown person, who claimed, amongst other things, that Swinford was infested with werewolves.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Notable people

Ulick McEvaddy and Des McEvaddy, The founders and owners of Omega Air ^[3]
Caitriona Ruane Stormont Minister for Education and South Down MLA^[4]

Donncha O'Connell, academic and barrister^{[citation needed]}
Tony McDonnell, former President of the Union of Students in Ireland^{[citation needed]}
Pat O'Connor, former President of the Law Society^{[citation needed]}
Ciana Campbell, broadcaster ^[5]