Currow () is a rural village in County Kerry in south west Ireland, located approximately 12 km from Killarney and 18 km from Tralee. Currow is situated on the Brown Flesk River, a tributary of the River Maine.
Geography
Currow lies in the Electoral Division of Killeentierna. Killeentierna Electoral Division covers 3,375 hectares, much of which is arable land, mainly used as pasture for dairy stock. There are also areas of peat land, particularly to the south, where a blanket bog is located on the border with Kilcummin. Currow is mainly a residential area with close links to Castleisland. The main industry is agriculture. Currow is bordered to the west by Farranfore, to the south by Kilcummin, to the east by Scartaglin and to the north by Castleisland. Currans lies north west of Currow, which forms the Killeentierna Parish.
History
The original village grew up on both sides of the roadway to the north of Flesk Bridge, between two old estates, Dicksgrove and Parkmore, which have influenced the architectural character. The Meredith Family were the landlords of the area, residing in the old Parkmore estate. The first influence of the British came from the Herbert Family during the plantations. Unlike some nearby villages and towns, the village did not see major development during the Celtic Tiger. Any development is mainly one-off housing.
Con Houlihan, a columnist with the Sunday World, once wrote how he considered Currow as his 'own favourite' village in Ireland. Although he is undecided whether Currow is a village or a hamlet. He also declared he would someday 'apply to be made a Freeman of Currow'.
Demographics
Currow is in the Electoral District of Killeentierna. Historically a Gaeltacht area, it is within the Rural District of Killarney and is included in the Kerry constituency for national elections. Killeentierna is also the Roman Catholic Parish under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kerry which is made up of Currow, Kilsarcon and Currans. Before 1898, Currow was included under the barony of Trughanacmy. However this form of administrative area has been obsolete since the Local Government Act 1898.
As of the 2006 census, Killeentierna Electoral Division had a population of 892 persons (465 males and 427 females). This was a slight increase on 2002 census figures of 856. The 1996 census recorded 878 inhabitants. Catholicism was recorded as the largest religion in the area covering 95% of the population.
The 2011 census of Ireland, which took place on 10 April, showed an increase in population in the Killeentierna Electoral District on 2006 census figures, a 2.4% increase. The 2011 population was recorded as 913 persons, 461 males and 452 females.
Facilities
Currow has one public house, a Roman Catholic church, community centre (consisting of large hall area, stage, meeting rooms, changing facilities), primary school, one convenience shop, graveyard, an electronic services workshop, beautician, small public park and a GAA pitch. There are several other small enterprises and services in the area.
The local national (primary) school, Scoil Mhuire Agus Naomh Threasa (English: St Mary's and Teresa School), serves the parish of Currow. Originally Scoil Mhuire, the Department of Education amalgamated Scoil Mhuire with Kilsarcon School which centralised resources to a more modern facility in Currow village.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in the centre of the village on a site donated by Richard Meredith, who had connections to the estate house in Dickgrove. This Catholic church was built in the 1950s to designs by Patrick J. Sheahan. It was blessed and dedicated by Rev. Denis Moynihan, Bishop of Kerry, on 2 June 1954.
Transport
Road
Currow is located approximately 7 km from Castleisland, south of the N23 national primary road, which runs from Castleisland to Farranfore, connecting traffic from the N21 road to the N22 road. Currow Village is connected to both the N22 at Farranfore and the N23 at Lisheenbaun Cross via the R561 regional road. It is located on the old Killarney road.
Bus services, provided by Bus Éireann, are limited to the village. Nearby stops are found in Farranfore and Castleisland.
Rail
The closest railway station is Farranfore railway station, which is approximately 3.5 km east of Currow. Irish Rail has several inter-city daily services to Dublin, Cork, Tralee and Killarney from this station.
Air
Kerry Airport is also located at Farranfore on the N23. The runway is only 800m from Currow Village. However the terminal is 5 km in distance by road.