St. Colman's National School Mucklagh

History Of Mucklagh

(Interview taken by a pupil about his grandfather who lives in Mucklagh)

What does the word Mucklagh mean?

'In Irish , Muchlach means 'land of the pigs'.

Why is it called this?

The area long ago was mainly forestry and pigs used to feed on acorns from oak trees.

When you were growing up did the village look as it does now?

No, The old school was on the site that the church is on now, and the old church was where the graveyard is now.The present Mucklagh bridge on the main road replaces the old Mucklagh bridge beside it . There was an old postoffice with a thatched roof at Screggan cross. There was a row of old houses where Lynally Grove is now.

Was there any unusual landmarks in Mucklagh?

Yes, there was a stone quarry in Beechmount Park, and an old mill at the back of the present day school, hence the name 'Mill field'.

As a child, what did you spend your Summer holidays doing in Mucklagh?

A lot of us would go swimming in a sandy area in the river Clodiagh, which was called 'Peg's hole'. We'd also go picking mushrooms and robbing apple trees belonged to the local farmer !

Do you think that Mucklagh of today is as exciting as it was back then?

Yes, no doubt the Mucklagh of today has changed alot over the years- for the better I think. It has grown into a fine country village and somewhere I'm proud to live today.