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Bangor Erris Beannchar
—  Town  —
Bangor Erris Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 54°08′35″N 9°44′25″W / 54.1431°N 9.7403°W / 54.1431; -9.7403Coordinates: 54°08′35″N 9°44′25″W / 54.1431°N 9.7403°W / 54.1431; -9.7403
Country	Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	County Mayo
Elevation	96 m (315 ft)
Population (2002)
• Urban	266
Time zone	WET (UTC+0)
• Summer (DST)	IST (WEST) (UTC-1)
Irish Grid Reference	F863229

Bangor Erris (Irish: Beannchar) is a town in Kiltane parish in Erris, County Mayo, Ireland with a population of 500. It is on the banks of the Owenmore River and is the gateway to the Erris Peninsula linking Belmullet with Ballina and Westport, nestled at the foot of the "Bangor Trail" a 22-mile mountain pass across the Nephin Beg (Irish: Néifinn Bheag) Mountain Range to Newport. Only 2 km away is Carrowmore Lake, (Irish: Loch na Ceathrú Móire) Bangor is a centre for wild atlantic salmon and sea trout fishing. Bangor Erris is located in the Parish of Kiltane. Due west from Bangor are the towns of Belmullet, Geesala, Mulranny, Westport and Doolough.

History [link]

Sculpture at eastern outskirts of Bangor Village

A legend of the Ulster Cycle took place not far from Bangor Erris at the fort at Rathmorgan beside Carrowmore Lake. Known as Táin Bó Flidhais it tells the story of a cattle raid around the 1st century AD.

The original name for Bangor was Doire Choinadaigh (Kennedy's Wood), a name found on maps from 1724 - 1829. the place was also called 'Coineadach' by John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey Name Books of 1838. In 1802 when James McPartlan (Statistical Survey p. 159) surveyed the area, he called the village 'Cahal' and noted that there were regular fairs held there at that time. Locally the village was known as 'Aonach Cathail' because a wealthy buyer of that name was a regular at the fair days. The name 'Bangor' was given to the village by Major Denis Bingham who established the town of Bangor Erris.

The reason Bangor was chosen as a site for Bingham's town was because it was situated at the crossroads of two old roads which were in use from about the middle of the 18th century. One road led from Carne (Mullet peninsula) to Castlebar and the other went from Inver (Kilcommon) to Newport. Both roads were repaired by order of the County Assizes in 1793. The crossroads was well sheltered from the worst of the prevailing winds and its situation on the banks of the Owenmore river also made it a suitable site.

Major Bingham introduced the Revenue Police to stamp out the illicit distillation of drink, in reality it was to get personal protection for himself in his house Bingham Lodge on the western edge of the town.

Facilities [link]

Village of Bangor Erris

There are many public houses in Bangor such as Talk Of The Town owned by Mr Kevin Campbell who welcomes all with a warm greeting and kind smile. The West End Bar is situated just past on the cross roads; the establishment is run by Seamy Henry and Monica. Opposite is the Kiltane Tavern which has won many awards for hospitality. There are two supermarket/grocery shops in Bangor, Brogans and Dorans both which stock a wide range of goods. There is a bookmakers and a hardware store also. Bangor National School which is attended by the children of Bangor and other neighbouring villages such as Tawnagh and Bellacorick. Bangor Hibs have just completed an All Weather Astrotruf Pitch which is suitable for 7/8 a side or 2 x 5 a side football.

Sport [link]

The GAA Club in Kiltane is Kiltane GFC. Kiltane were founded in 1964 and wear blue and gold jerseys.They won the Junior and Intermediate Championships in 1972 and 1973 respectively.The fact that Kiltane have maintained their Senior status ever since is a source of tremendous pride to a parish who have always relied upon a very small player pool most of whom are living out of the area.

The soccer club in Bangor Erris is named Bangor Hibernians F.C. Founded in 1995 the club plays in the Premier division of the Mayo Association League and is fully affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. The club's colours are blue and black vertical stripes. 2009 was historic for the club with its fielding of a B team in the Mayo League. The club President is Miomir Jugin, Belgrade, Serbia.The club crest denotes the "Big Bridge" in Bangor which carries traffic over the Owenmore river and is situated close to the club's home ground namely Ballybeg Park. The Club's first major Junior Cup Final victory came against Partry Athletic in the Tonra Cup in 2006. (1-0 a.e.t.). 2011 has been a historic year for Bangor Hibs with the team recording a second major Cup Final victory by claiming the Tuohy Cup ironically also against Partry Athletic on a 3-0 scoreline in the final which was played in Milebush Park, Castlebar. Just two weeks later on August 7th the team have recorded a first ever League title (PREMIER B) following a 2-1 home win over local rivals Crossmolina.Bangor Hibs were named Mayo League Club of the Year in 2011. The club have recently completed an all weather Astroturf facility at Ballybeg Park suitable for 7/8 a side or 2 x 5 aside football.

More on Bangor Hibs:- [1]

See also [link]

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References [link]

• Noone, Fr. Sean. Where the Sun Sets (1991) Kildare.

v t e Places in County Mayo County town: Castlebar Towns Ballina Ballinrobe Ballyhaunis Belmullet Castlebar Claremorris Foxford Kiltimagh Swinford Westport Villages and townlands Achill Sound Attymass Aughagower Aughleam Balla Ballindine Ballintubber Ballycastle Ballyglass Bangor Erris Bekan Belcarra Belderrig Bellacorick Bellavary Binghamstown Bohola Bonniconlon Breaffy Brickens Bun an Churraigh Carrowteige Cashel Castlehill Charlestown Charlestown-Bellahy Cogaula Cong Corrimbla Corroy Cregganbaun Cross Crossmolina Delphi Derrew Dooega Doohoma Dooniver Drummin Errew Glenamoy Glencastle Glengad Glenhest Gweesalia Hollymount Irishtown Islandeady Keel Kilcummin Kilkelly Killala Kilgalligan Kilmaine Kilmeena Kilmovee Knock Lahardane Lecanvey Louisburgh Mayo Meelick Moygownagh Mulranny Murrisk Neale Newport Partry Pontoon Rakestreet Rossport Salia Shammer Shrule Strade Toormakeady Tulrahan Turlough Baronies Burrishoole Carra Clanmorris Costello Erris Gallen Kilmaine Murrisk Tirawley List of townlands in County Mayo Category:Geography of County Mayo