Multyfarnham


Multyfarnham or Multyfarnam is a village in County Westmeath, Ireland.

History

The Irish Franciscan friars still maintain a presence in the ancient monastery at Multyfarnham. First founded in 1268, during the English conquest of Ireland in the 17th century, it was raided six times and twice burnt out by the Crown forces battling the forces of the 'Irish of Meath'. During the wars of the 1640s it became an organisational centre for the enormously powerful and influential Franciscans in Ireland, who met there in their provincial assembly at the outbreak of the 1641 rebellion. In 1646, there were 30 friars in residence here. By the middle of era of the Penal Laws there were as few as seven friars, five of whom were of advanced age. The church was unroofed from 1651 and remained so until 1827. In 1839 a new friary was rebuilt in the grounds. The Franciscan College, Multyfarnham was opened in 1899. There were four pupils enrolled for the first year. This school later became a recognised Agricultural College in 1956, and continued to teach until 2003.
Around the monastery grounds, among the lawns, around the church and the college buildings, there are 14 life-size Stations of the Cross. The college is now used as an educational and seminar centre. It also hosts an arts centre.
A nursing home called the Portiuncula Nursing Home also shares the site, as does Larcc Cancer Support Center and Irish Autism Action.

Tidy Towns

Multyfarnham was a winner of the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1977.

Sport

Multyfarnham Gaelic Athletic Association club is situated in the village also. They play Gaelic football in the Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship and the All County League Division 3. In 2018 the club started their first ladies team. There is also a Gaelic handball club in the village.

Amenities

The town is close to the shores of Lough Derravaragh. Local recreational resources include hill walking, boating, and fishing, with authorised permits. Horse-riding facilities are also available nearby.

Transport

The nearest bus stop is located at Ballinalack, approximately 7 kilometres distant, and is served by Bus Éireann Expressway routes 022 and 023 several times daily. Until 2013 route 115 served Multyfarnham once a day.
Multyfarnham railway station opened in November 1855 and closed on 17 June 1963. The nearest railway station is now Mullingar railway station, approximately 15 km distant.

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