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Nobber ( Irish: ''an Obair'', "the work") is a village in north
County Meath County Meath ( ; or simply , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is bordered by County Dublin to the southeast, County ...
,
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. It is on the
Navan Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the confluence of the River Boyne and Leinster Blackwater, Blackwater, around 50 km northwest of Dublin. At the ...
Kingscourt Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan–Meath border. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, ...
road ( R162), about north of Navan. This places the village about from the M50 motorway, the orbital motorway of
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
. The village is in a
townland A townland (; Ulster-Scots: ''toonlann'') is a traditional small land division used in Ireland and in the Western Isles of Scotland, typically covering . The townland system is of medieval Gaelic origin, predating the Norman invasion, and mo ...
and
civil parish In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government. Civil parishes can trace their origin to the ancient system of parishes, w ...
of the same name. The town of Kells is to the west, the town of
Ardee Ardee (; , ) is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the N2, N52, and N33 roads. The town shows evidence of development from the thirteenth century onward but as a result of the continued develo ...
to the east and the town of Kingscourt is to the north. Villages that border the parish are
Kilmainhamwood Kilmainhamwood, historically simply Killmainham (), is a village and townland in north County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The village is built on the River Dee, County Louth, River Dee and is situated north of Whitewood Lake. The vill ...
,
Moynalty Moynalty () is a village in the north-west of County Meath in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is located at the junction of the R194 road, R194 and R164 road, R164 Regional road (Ireland), regional roads north of Kells, County Meath, Kells, n ...
and Kilbeg to the west, Castletown-Kilpatrick to the south and
Drumconrath Drumconrath or Drumcondra (historically ''Drumconra'', from ) is a small village in north County Meath, Ireland. The parish borders County Louth and is also close to the borders of Counties Monaghan and Cavan. As of the 2016 census, the villa ...
and Lobinstown to the east. The village of Nobber is built on the River Dee, the course of which was diverted around the village in the 19th century. A feature of the local geography is how the village is set within rolling hills called
drumlins A drumlin, from the Irish word ("little ridge"), first recorded in 1833, in the classical sense is an elongated hill in the shape of an inverted spoon or half-buried egg formed by glacial ice acting on underlying unconsolidated till or ground ...
formed in the last glacial period.


History

The Normans were the first known people to settle at Nobber. The site acted as a strong-point on the road from the ports of
Drogheda Drogheda ( , ; , meaning "bridge at the ford") is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, north of Dublin. It is located on the Dublin–Belfast corridor on the east coast of Ireland, mostly in County Louth ...
and
Dundalk Dundalk ( ; ) is the county town of County Louth, Ireland. The town is situated on the Castletown River, which flows into Dundalk Bay on the north-east coast of Ireland, and is halfway between Dublin and Belfast, close to and south of the bor ...
to the midlands. The
Lordship of Meath The Lordship of Meath was an extensive seigneurial liberty in medieval Ireland that was awarded to Hugh de Lacy by King Henry II of England by the service of fifty knights and with almost royal authority. The Lordship was roughly co-extensive wit ...
was granted to
Hugh de Lacy Hugh de Lacy or Hugh Lacy may refer to: *Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Lassy (c. 1020–1085), first recorded member of the Norman noble family de Lacy *Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath (died 1186), 4th Baron Lacy *Hugh de Lacy, Abbot of Shrewsbury (died c. 121 ...
by King
Henry II of England Henry II () was King of England The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with the ...
in 1172 in his capacity as
Lord of Ireland The Lordship of Ireland (), sometimes referred to retrospectively as Anglo-Norman Ireland, was the part of Ireland ruled by the King of Kingdom of England, England (styled as "Lord of Ireland") and controlled by loyal Normans in Ireland, Anglo ...
. De Lacy granted the
Barony of Morgallion Morgallion (, "plain of the Gailenga") is one of the Baronies of Ireland, baronies that comprise county Meath, Ireland. In 1172 King Henry II of England granted the Lordship of Meath to Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath, Hugh de Lacy to hold as King ...
to
Gilbert de Angulo Gilbert de Angulo was an Anglo-Norman knight, . Biography A son of Jocelyn de Angulo, 1st Baron of Navan, Gilbert held the barony of Machaire Gaileng (Morgallion and Ratoath). Upon his rebellion in 1195, all his lands were forfeited - given ...
, who constructed a
motte and bailey A motte-and-bailey castle is a European fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by a walled courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. Relatively easy ...
there. By the middle of the 15th century, Nobber was described by the English King Henry VI as being of key strategic importance to the control of the region. Around 2005, several
high cross A high cross or standing cross (, , ) is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors. Th ...
es were discovered in the village's old cemetery (St Johns) dating from possibly the 10th century. These are smaller and less ornate than typical Celtic high crosses. This find is significant because it suggests that a hitherto unrecorded
monastic settlement Monastic settlements are areas built up in and around the development of monasteries with the spread of Christianity. To understand Christian monastic settlements, we must understand a brief history of Christian monasticism. Monasticism was a move ...
once existed on the site of the village. Moynagh Lake, to the west of the village, is the site of a multi-period
crannóg A crannog (; ; ) is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually constructed in lakes, bogs and estuarine waters of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Unlike the prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps, which were built on shore ...
which dates to Mesolithic times. In the Medieval period, Nobber was the chief town of the
Barony of Morgallion Morgallion (, "plain of the Gailenga") is one of the Baronies of Ireland, baronies that comprise county Meath, Ireland. In 1172 King Henry II of England granted the Lordship of Meath to Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath, Hugh de Lacy to hold as King ...
. By the time of the Act of Union, the local population was large enough to return a Member of Parliament.


Archdeacon of Nobber

Nobber was once a key town in the
Kingdom of Meath Meath ( ; ; ) was a kingdom in Ireland from the 1st to the 12th century AD. Its name means "middle," denoting its location in the middle of the island. At its greatest extent, it included all of County Meath (which takes its name from the k ...
, and an ancient Rectory of Nobber was united to the ecclesiastical dignity of the Archdeacon of Kells; thus the holder was styled "Rector of Nobber", "Parson of Nobber", or more often " Archdeacon of Nobber". Confusingly, the Archdeacon of Kells held the ''Rectory of Nobber'', while the
Archdeacon of Meath The archdeacon of Meath is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the united Diocese of Meath and Kildare. The archdeaconry can trace its history from Helias, the first known incumbent, who held the office in the twelfth century, to the last discr ...
held the ''Rectory of Kells''.


Transport


Rail

A disused railway line dating from 1875, running from
Kingscourt Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan–Meath border. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, ...
to Navan, runs through the village. This was purchased by the
Midland Great Western Railway The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) was the third largest Irish gauge () railway company in Ireland. It was incorporated in 1845 and absorbed into the Great Southern Railways in 1924. At its peak the had a network of , making it Ireland's ...
in 1888. Until recent years it operated to haul gypsum from
Saint-Gobain Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. () is a French multinational corporation, founded in 1665 in Paris as the Manufacture royale de glaces de miroirs, and today headquartered on the outskirts of Paris, at La Défense and in Courbevoie. Originally a ...
Gypsum Industries plant in
County Cavan County Cavan ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and is part of the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Cavan and is based on the hi ...
to the port of
Drogheda Drogheda ( , ; , meaning "bridge at the ford") is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, north of Dublin. It is located on the Dublin–Belfast corridor on the east coast of Ireland, mostly in County Louth ...
. Nobber railway station opened on 1 November 1872, closed for passenger traffic on 27 January 1947 and finally closed altogether on 1 April 1963.


Greenway

A major phase of the Navan-to-Kingscourt Greenway was developed and opened for the Nobber locality in summer 2020. This follows the track of the old railway line from Navan to Kingscourt. This extends from Spiddeal at the south of the village extending toward, but not yet reaching Kilmainhamwood.


Bus

Bus Éireann Bus Éireann (; "Irish Bus") is a state-owned bus and coach operator providing services throughout Republic of Ireland, Ireland, with the exception of Dublin, where bus services are provided by sister company Dublin Bus. It is a subsidiary of C ...
route 107 links Nobber to
Navan Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the confluence of the River Boyne and Leinster Blackwater, Blackwater, around 50 km northwest of Dublin. At the ...
and
Kingscourt Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan–Meath border. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, ...
. Sillan also provide a link to
Navan Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the confluence of the River Boyne and Leinster Blackwater, Blackwater, around 50 km northwest of Dublin. At the ...
and
Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...
with some buses extending to
University College Dublin University College Dublin (), commonly referred to as UCD, is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland. With 38,417 students, it is Ireland's largest ...
. In the other direction Sillan services provide a link to
Kingscourt Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan–Meath border. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, ...
,
Shercock Shercock ( ); ) is a small town and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in the east of County Cavan, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. As of the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, the population of the town was 574. Shercock is 12 km we ...
and
Cootehill Cootehill (; ) is a market town and townland in County Cavan, Ireland. Cootehill was formerly part of the neighbouring townland of Munnilly. Both townlands lie within the barony of Tullygarvey. Cootehill is 20 km north-east of Cavan tow ...
.


Amenities

The village has two schools: Nobber National school for primary school children and O'Carolan College, which is a comprehensive secondary school. The church of
Saint John the Baptist John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist ...
is the
Roman Catholic church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
in the centre of the village, which also has a fire station,
Garda Síochána (; meaning "the Guardian(s) of the Peace") is the national police and security service of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is more commonly referred to as the Gardaí (; "Guardians") or "the Guards". The service is headed by the Garda Commissio ...
(police) station. In July 2016 the George Eogan Cultural Centre was opened by the
President of Ireland The president of Ireland () is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The presidency is a predominantly figurehead, ceremonial institution, serving as ...
, Mr
Michael D. Higgins Michael Daniel Higgins (; born 18 April 1941) is an Irish politician, poet, broadcaster, and sociologist who has been serving as the president of Ireland since 2011. Entering national politics through the Labour Party, he served as a senator ...
in Nobber in the old Protestant Church.


In the media

The local radio station serving Nobber is LMFM, and the local newspaper is the ''
Meath Chronicle The ''Meath Chronicle'' is a local newspaper serving County Meath, Ireland and based in the town of Navan Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the con ...
''. In 2019, an eponymous historical fiction novel entitled ''Nobber'' was published by the author Oisin Fagan, the author of ''Hostages'', set in the village of Nobber in the 14th century during plague times.


Sport

Nobber has only one
Gaelic football Gaelic football (; short name '')'', commonly known as simply Gaelic, GAA, or football, is an Irish team sport. A form of football, it is played between two teams of 15 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score ...
team called Nobber G.F.C. In 2003, Nobber won the
All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship The All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the GAA. It is played between the Junior championship winners from each of the thirty-two counties of Ireland. Each team competes in their own ...
, beating
Kilmeena Kilmeena () is a civil parish and small village near Westport in County Mayo, Ireland. The area is served by a Roman Catholic church, an An Post post office, and a national (primary) school. History The Kilmeena ambush was the scene of a def ...
of
County Mayo County Mayo (; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, it is named after the village of Mayo, County Mayo, Mayo, now ge ...
. Nobber are three time Meath Intermediate Football Champions, having won honours in 1980, 2010 and 2019. Having won the
2019 Meath Intermediate Football Championship The 2019 Meath Intermediate Football Championship is the 93rd edition of the Meath GAA, Meath GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for Intermediate graded teams in County Meath, Ireland. The tournament consists of 18 teams, with the win ...
, as of 2020, Nobber were competing in the
Meath Senior Football Championship The Meath Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Gaelic football clubs in Meath, Ireland. Qualification for subsequent competitions The winners of the Meath Senior Football Champio ...
. The local soccer team are Electro Celtic FC, who (as of 2012) were competing in Division 3B of the Meath and District League.


Festivals and events

The Nobber Fair Day is an annual event that is held on the third Sunday of May. The event has been running since 2006 and has revived an old tradition of a fair that was held in the village for centuries. Rare breeds of farm animals are displayed, and rosettes and prizes are awarded across various categories. In 2012, more than 10,000 people attended Nobber Fair Day.


People

*
George Eogan George Eogan, MRIA (14 September 1930 – 18 November 2021) was an Irish archaeologist. He was born in Nobber, County Meath, and studied at University College Dublin (UCD) and then Trinity College Dublin. In 1965, he was appointed to a lectur ...
, archaeologist known for his work at Knowth * Shane McEntee (1956–2012), Fine Gael TD and Minister of State *
Turlough O'Carolan Turlough O'Carolan ( ; 1670 – 25 March 1738) was a blind Celtic harper, composer and singer in Ireland whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition. Although not a composer in the classical sense, Carolan is considered by som ...
(1670–1738), blind harpist reputed to have been born in Nobber - there is a statue in memory of him at the southern end of the village * Justine Stafford, comedian, grew up near Nobber


See also

* List of towns and villages in Ireland


References


Bibliography

* * *


External links


O'Carolan College
{{Geographic Location , title= Destinations from Nobber , Northwest =
Kilmainhamwood Kilmainhamwood, historically simply Killmainham (), is a village and townland in north County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The village is built on the River Dee, County Louth, River Dee and is situated north of Whitewood Lake. The vill ...
, North =
Kingscourt Kingscourt, historically known as Dunaree (), is a town in County Cavan, Ireland. It is located near the Cavan–Meath border. The town was founded near the site of the old village of Cabra, by Mervyn Pratt, towards the end of the 18th century, ...
, Northeast =
Drumconrath Drumconrath or Drumcondra (historically ''Drumconra'', from ) is a small village in north County Meath, Ireland. The parish borders County Louth and is also close to the borders of Counties Monaghan and Cavan. As of the 2016 census, the villa ...
, West =
Moynalty Moynalty () is a village in the north-west of County Meath in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is located at the junction of the R194 road, R194 and R164 road, R164 Regional road (Ireland), regional roads north of Kells, County Meath, Kells, n ...
, Centre = Nobber , East =
Drumconrath Drumconrath or Drumcondra (historically ''Drumconra'', from ) is a small village in north County Meath, Ireland. The parish borders County Louth and is also close to the borders of Counties Monaghan and Cavan. As of the 2016 census, the villa ...
, Southwest = Kells , South =
Navan Navan ( ; , meaning "the Cave") is the county town and largest town of County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is at the confluence of the River Boyne and Leinster Blackwater, Blackwater, around 50 km northwest of Dublin. At the ...
, Southeast = Castletown Towns and villages in County Meath Townlands of County Meath Civil parishes of County Meath