The Townlands
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Árainn Mhór – Arranmore - An Roinn Mhór
Roinn-division/divide
Mhór-large.
Árainn Mhór is divided into thirteen townlands. The names of each of the townlands originate from the Irish language. The physical characteristics of the area influenced the naming of that area.
An Leadhb Gharbh
Leadhb - a piece of land
Gharbh - rough.
Located in Leadhb Gharbh:
- Ferryboat quay
- Leadhb Gharbh Pier
- No 1 National School, Naomh Colmcille
- Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada
- The Post Office
- Bonner's Restaurant & B&B
- The Glen Hotel
- Árainn Mhór Hostel
- Phil Bán’s Shop & Bar
- Early’s Pier Bar & Lounge
- Boyle’s Nite Club & Bar
Poll a’Mhadaigh
The meaning of Poolawaddy is often disputed!
Poll a’Mhadaigh
Poll - the harbour
a’Mhadaigh - of dogs
or,
Poll na mbadaí
Poll - the harbour
na mbadaí - of the boats
Many of the first islanders sent to Beaver Island by the Landlord, John Stoupe Charley were from Poll an Mhadaigh.
Located in Poll an Mhadaigh:
Arranmore Lifeboat Station which was opened in 1997 by Daniel O’Donnell.
Scraig an tSeabhaic - Scraig
Scraig - rock
tSeabhaic - of the hawk.
Báigh Bhéal a’Chraoise is located off Scraig.
Na Goirt Ghearra
Goirt - fields
Ghearra - short. At the crossroads in Gortgarra there is a hill known as ‘Pinkie Hill’. It was so named following the return from Scotland of young local girls wearing pink dresses!
Na Clocha Corra
Cloch - stone or boulder
corr - rounded or projecting.
Located in Cloghcor:
- Comharchumann Árainn Mhór Teo
- The Enterprise Centre
Fál an Ghabhann
Fál - hedge or barrier
Ghabhann - smith.
Located in Fál an Ghabhann:
- The Holiday Village. (Opened in 1997 by Jean Kennedy-Smith)
- The Courthouse (1855)
Baile an tSratha
Baile - village or townland
tSratha - low-lying land along a river or lake.
Located in Baile an tSratha:
- Neily’s Shop & Bar
- The Day Care Centre
Baile Ard - Ballard
Baile - village or townland
Ard - high.
Uileann
Uileann - elbow or corner.
The Church of St Crone’s (built in 1825 and extended in 1917) borders the townlands of Illion and Ballintra.
Plochóg
Plochóg - hallow.
The townland of Plochóg is a quarter of a mile in length.
Located in Plochóg:
- Malaigh na hAltóra - The Mass Rock
- Malaigh - hill
- hAltóra - altar
- In 1995, Fr. Jimmy Shiels unveiled a plaque at the site to commemorate the Arranmore Disaster of 1935, and the Great Hunger of 1845.
Leadhb Reannagh
Leadhb - a piece of land
Reannagh - headland.
Located in An Leadhb Reannagh:
- No 2 National School, Naomh Cróna
- Reannach Park soccer pitch, home to Arranmore United
Athphort
Athphort - out-port. The predominant language spoken in Athphort is Gaeilge.
Na Tuarthaí
Tuar - dry, or it can also mean a ploughed field into which sheep are put.
Granite was quarried in Torries and taken by horse and cart to build the lighthouse.



