Cappagh, County Limerick

Cappagh (Irish: Ceapach) is a parish in West Limerick, Ireland. It is surrounded by the parishes of Askeaton and Kilcornan (to the north), Rathkeale (south), Croagh (East) and Coolcappa (West). The patron saint of the parish is St. James. The parish was previously known as Connellow and Nantenan.

The parish has no public house, post office or shop, one of the few parishes in Limerick to be without any of these amenities.

Community organisations

There is a Gaelic football club in the parish. Generally, most parishioners who play hurling hurlers play with neighbouring hurling club Croagh/Kilfinny and vice versa for Gaelic Footballers in Croagh and Kilfinny. It was formed in 1993. The local GAA field was purchased in 1997 and is fully playable.

A LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) club was set up in 2017 for under 12 and under 14 girls.

There is also a handball club in the parish. There is a handball alley, which is situated beside the hall.

Rosemount Clay Pigeon Shooting Club also has archery facilities.

Amenities

Cappagh Castle, which was built by the Normans, was used in the mid 20th century as a playing venue by the local handball club. The castle is now on the land of the Barry farming family but is not open to the public.

The local national (primary) school, St. James's National School, has been in existence for over a century and is run by the Catholic Church. It has recently been extended due to growing population size. The current principal is Cyril Madigan.

There are three churches in the parish:

  • St. James's Church which is used today by the Catholic Church. There is no longer a parish priest due to the falling numbers in those attending mass.
  • Nantenan Church and Cemetery. The church is not open to the public anymore and was used by both the Catholic and Anglican Churches at different stages in time. The cemetery is also mixed and is still open to the public. Adjacent to the church grounds is St. James' Well.
  • The Embury Heck Church. This church is for members of the Methodist community in the parish. The Methodist community originated from Palatine in Germany, and were granted refuge in Ireland by the English Crown in the 18th century, due to oppression in their homeland. They were expert farmers and are still farmers in Cappagh today.

The Parish Community Hall is owned by the parishioners.


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