Scotstown

Scotstown (In Irish known traditionally as An Bhoth, but also more recently as Baile an Scotaigh) is a village in the north of County Monaghan, in the Republic of Ireland. Scotstown is located in the parish of Tydavnet, along the River Blackwater. It is centered in the townland of Bough, but extends into Carrowhatta, Teraverty, Drumdesco and Stracrunnion townlands.

A couple of theories exist around the origin of the English name, either deriving from the fact that a lot of Scots were located there during the Ulster Plantation, or it may have been named after a local landowner, George Scott in the 1660s. Thom's Irish Almanac of 1862 does alternate between referencing the village as Scottstown and Scotstown, that might add credence to the latter as the source of the name.

With regard to the Irish Gaelic names, the traditional name of An Bhoth comes from the townland of Bough, where the village is centered. This is the name appearing on signs as you enter the village. On Ordnance Survey maps and road signs, the village also carries the name Baile an Scotaigh, which literally means 'town of the Scots'. This is a comparatively rare occurrence of the Irish Gaelic form being a translation of the English form (and in this case, possibly, an erroneous one), as opposed to the Irish form being the original. Locals, to the extent they use the Irish form at all, favour the name An Bhoth.

The main cross roads in the centre of Scotstown

History

Scotstown has an example of a 7th century crannog. This artificial island is in Hollywood lake, now a recreational area. This crannog was the headquarters of Patrick Mac Art Moyle MacMahon. In 1591, Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam broke up the MacMahon lordship in Monaghan when "The MacMahon", hereditary leader of the sept, resisted the imposition of an English sheriff; he was hanged and his lordship divided. Patrick Mac Art Moyle MacMahon became one of the independent leaders of the divided MacMahon lordship. The MacMahons generally fought amongst themselves during most of the Nine Years War (1594-1603), and Patrick Mac Art Moyle MacMahon, along with other MacMahon leaders, ultimately surrendered to Baron Mountjoy in 1601. Although the MacMahon's retained most of their land after the war, unable to raise taxes they would eventually give up their land as payment for those taxes.

A Catholic church was built in the neighbouring townland of Drumcesco in 1785 (rebuilt in the 1820s), referred to locally as Urbleshanny Chapel, but officially St Mary's chapel. Church registers go back to 1835 for births and 1825 for marriages. It is one of the three catholic churches in the Parish of Tydavnet. St. Mary's has an adjoining cemetery with graves dating back to the late 18th century. Another Presbyterian cemetery exists close to the village centre, but is no longer in use.

The village national school is also called Urbleshanny and is located in Carrowhatta. Urbleshanny National School is thought to be the earliest Catholic school in the Diocese of Clogher, having been set up in 1791, just after the penal laws were repealed.

By the 1830s, Scotstown was known to have a thriving fair, which centred on the village green. It is on record in 1938 as having a blacksmith. Scotstown also had a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks, with probably 4 officers stationed here.

Today

Today, Scotstown has two furniture manufacturers, providing the most significant employment source directly within the village. It also has 3 Public Houses, a small grocery shop/post office, a pharmacy and several other small retail outlets. Scotstown also has a Gaelic Athletic Association club. Scotstown also hosts a traditional music festival, Scoil Cheoil na Botha, which features workshops, concerts and sessions. It is held on the 12th - 14th October, and features music from some of Ireland's best traditional musicians.Also there is what is known as The Tydavnet Parish Show held annually in the townland Drumsheavra.

Places of interest

• Just outside Scotstown, is the Hollywood recreational area, centred around a lake. A local voluntary committee purchased the lake and surrounds in 1969 and since then have developed the park with the support of various funding agencies, private donations and Monaghan County Council. The lake itself is stocked with bream, rudd (which locals call roach), perch and pike.
• A number of marked mountain trails are maintained in the nearby Sliabh Beagh area. A tourism center and hotel have been opened in Corlat as a staging point for these walks.

External links

• Satellite View of Scotstown from Google
• Sliabh Beagh Walks
• Sliabh Beagh Tourism Center
• Scoil Cheoil na Botha

54°17′N 7°04′W