Tuamfinlough
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Tomfinlough Tuaim Fhionnlocha |
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| Civil parish | |
 Tomfinlough
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| Coordinates: 52°46′56″N 8°50′17″W / 52.782254°N 8.838009°WCoordinates: 52°46′56″N 8°50′17″W / 52.782254°N 8.838009°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| County | Clare |
Tomfinlough (Irish: Tuaim Fhionnlocha) is a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. A Christian establishment was first made here around 540 AD. The parish lands were often raided by Irish, Viking, Norman and English forces in the years that followed. The church was allowed to fall into ruins during the period when the Catholic Church was penalized in Ireland.
The ruined parish church stands at the northern end of the lake named Finn Lough or Fenloe. The name "Tomfinlough" means Tomb or Tumulus of the Fair Lake. It is in the barony of Bunratty Lower in County Clare, about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the village of Six-Mile-Bridge. The parish contains the village of Ardsallis.
The parish contains the following townlands: Ayleacotty, Ballycar, Boheraroan, Caherkine, Caherscooby, Carrowmeer, Carrownakilly, Finlough, Granaghan, Granaghan Beg, Granaghan More, Kilnacrandy, Langough, Mausnarylaan, Mooghaun North, Mooghaun South, Muckanagh (Butler), Muckanagh (Studdert), Muckanagh (Vandeleur), Newmarket, Rathlaheen North, Rathlaheen South and Snugborough.
Tuamfinlough is the oldest known settlement in the region of Newmarket-on-Fergus. Tomfinlough is said to have been founded by Saint Luchtighern mac-ui-Trato, a contemporary of Saint Mac Creiche who lived around 540, and probably belonged to the Trataidhe tribe. When the forces of Connaught were plundering the district of Corcomroe, the people sent a deputation to Emly. They asked Saint Ailbhe to persuade Saint MacCreiche, their relative, to return and plead for them with the king of Connaught. Mac Chreiche agreed, and came with his disciple Manchín. On the way they stopped at Tomfinlough where Luightighern agreed to accompany them.
The lands of Trataidhe were both fertile and vulnerable, and were often raided. The Danes destroyed the original church in 944. In 1854 a hoard of buried treasure hidden in a small stone chamber was unearthed in the Mooghaun North townland during the construction of the Limerick and Ennis Railway. It included many valuable gold items, including three gorgets that were given to the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, and many rings, bracelets and other items. The total weight was over 174 ounces (4,900 g). Most of the treasure was sold to private bidders. It may have been booty collected by the Danes and buried after they were defeated by Brian Boroimhe (died 1014). According to the Annals of the Four Masters, the abbot Scannlan died in 944, and the lecturer Tuathal O’Muirgheasa died in 1049. In 1054 Torlogh O’Brien and the Connacians raided Thomond and sacked Tuaimfionlocha.
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