Midfield (Irish: An Trian Láir, meaning "middle third", anglicised to Treanlaur)[2][3] is a village, in the barony of Gallen, in County Mayo, in Ireland. It is located close to the towns of Kilkelly, Kiltimagh, and Swinford, and to Ireland West (Knock) Airport.

Midfield
An Trian Láir
Village
Midfield National School
Midfield National School
Midfield is located in Ireland
Midfield
Midfield
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°53′50″N 8°55′38″W / 53.8971°N 8.9271°W / 53.8971; -8.9271
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
CountyCounty Mayo
Population
 (2016)[1]
638
 (Includes the entire Brackloon electoral division, a 30 km2 area in which the village lies)

History edit

The village of Midfield lies in the townland of Treanlaur.[3] Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of enclosures and ringforts within Treanlaur and in the neighbouring townland of Brackloon.[4]

Midfield is in the Roman Catholic parish of Swinford, part of the Diocese of Achonry.[5] The Church of St. Joseph's, which is in the middle of the village, was built c. 1875.[6][7] The primary school was originally in Brackloon to the west, but this school closed in June 1965.[8] A new school, St. Joseph's National School, was opened on the east side of the village after this.[9]

Community edit

A community group, the Midfield Development Association, was formed in 2007.[10] The group has engaged in fundraising for local projects, including a Guinness Book of Records attempt in 2009,[11] and produced a book entitled "A Story Told to Us Last Night" in 2010.[12]

Notable people edit

  • Michaela Walsh, shotputter and hammer thrower, is a past pupil of St Joseph's National School.[13]
  • Mary Davis, activist, 2011 Irish presidential candidate and former CEO of Special Olympics International is from the nearby village of Kinaffe.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ "Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Electoral Division Brackloon". Census 2016. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  2. ^ "An Trian Láir / Midfield". logainm.ie. Irish Placenames Commission. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b "An Trian Láir / Treanlaur". logainm.ie. Placenames Database of Ireland. 4 January 2021. the middle third […] This townland is situated between Breac-chluain/Brackloon and Tulaigh na hUamha/Tullynahoo [..] Treanlaur townland contained the village Midfield
  4. ^ "Record of Monuments and Places as Established under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 - County Mayo" (PDF). archaeology.ie. National Monuments and Historic Properties Service. 1996. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Swinford Parish Details". achonrydiocese.org. Diocese of Achony. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Co. Mayo, Midfield (Swinford), Church Of St Joseph (RC)". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Saint Joseph's Catholic Church originally Midfield, Treanlaur [Gall. By. K.Con. Ph.], County Mayo". buildingsofireland.ie. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Brackloon School Records". mayo-ireland.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Midfield National School Home". midfieldns.ie. Midfield National School. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Midfield Development Association". Midfield-development.ie. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Midfield auction for Guinness Book of Records". Mayonews.ie. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  12. ^ "A Story Told to Us Last Night, books from Co Mayo West of Ireland". mayo-ireland.ie. Mayo Ireland Ltd. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  13. ^ "European Medal Success for Past Pupils". midfieldns.ie. St Joseph's National School. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  14. ^ "It's Back To School For Davis". www.irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 22 October 2011.