Dowra (Irish: An Damhshraith, meaning "the river-meadow of the ox")[1] is a village and townland in northwest County Cavan, Ireland. Located in a valley on Lough Allen, [2] it is the first village on, and marks the most uppermost navigable point of, the River Shannon. On one side of its bridge is County Cavan; on the other is County Leitrim. The nucleus of the village is situated on the Cavan side. It is located on the junction of the R200 and R207 regional roads.
Dowra
An Damhshraith | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Looking east - up 'Main Street' - on the Cavan side | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Ulster Connacht (Part) |
| County | Cavan Leitrim (Part) |
| Elevation | 57 m (187 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 147 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | G989267 |
Transport edit
Bus Éireann route 462 serves Dowra on Saturdays only linking it to Drumkeeran, Dromahair and Sligo.[3]
History edit
The village was formed in the late 19th century after another village close by, Tober, was washed away by landslides in the summer of 1863. Back in 1925, Dowra village comprised 18 houses, with 10 being licensed to sell alcohol.[4]
The remains of the Black Pig's Dyke can be seen outside the village.[citation needed] It is noted on the Ordnance Survey's Edition of 1911 Six-inch to One-mile map, 1/2 mile west of Dowra alongside the River Shannon (forming part of the Leitrim / Cavan border) - see Leitrim Sheet 5. It is again noted 3/4 mile downstream just below where the Owennayla River joins the Shannon on the east side of Canbeg Township, County Leitrim - see Leitrim Sheet 18.
Places of interest edit
The source of the River Shannon, known as the Shannon Pot is located about 12 km (7 miles) to the north. The Cavan Way hiking trail starts in the village and the Leitrim Way passes through it. The Miners' Way is nearby.
Restoration of Dowra Courthouse was completed in 2014 with the new building opening as a Community Creative Arts Space.[5]
Economy edit
The main industries in the locality are agriculture, forestry and construction. There is a livestock market held every Saturday.[6]
Education edit
The local national school is in County Leitrim, just across the bridge from the village centre.
Religion edit
The village church is located approximately 5 km north and is called the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Doobally.
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Dowra - An Damhshraith -
Dowra Bridge - first town on the Shannon -
The River Shannon immediately upstream of Dowra Bridge -
Looking across the bridge towards Leitrim -
Directions to everywhere -
Dowra from above the old Garda barracks
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "An Damhshraith/Dowra". logainm.ie. Irish Placenames Commission. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "An Taisce sees Dowra as model village whose rare qualities must be preserved". Irish Times. 12 April 2002.
- ^ "Timetable - Carrigallen − Ballinamore − Sligo - No.462" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ Intoxicating Liquor Commission Report (Report). Vol. Reports of Committees (Irish Free State). The Stationery Office. 1925. p. 31. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ "Restored former Dowra Courthouse transforms village". The Cavan Times. 19 November 2014.
- ^ "New Year quotes off to a flyer". Irish Independent. 6 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.