Timahoe Summer Job Scheme Internet
Site
Contents
Introduction
Job title
Timahoe G.A.A. and Timahoe Development committee has sponsored many students. The Summer Job scheme is government funded and gives students the opportunity to earn money while helping the community.
Some of the projects undertaken by the students down through the years
are listed below: -
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Timahoe is a small village in County Laois situated approximately 7.5 miles south east of Portlaoise and a similar distance north east of Abbeyleix. It is surrounded on every side by mountain ranges of noticeable height with a gurgling stream the Bateogue descending from them. The present village of Timahoe and the interesting ruins are situated in a beautiful valley.
The village is located around a fair green, which is surrounded by many well-built houses and these too surround the old vestiges of its former history.
Timahoe was founded around the 7th century AD. The village acquired its name from a local saint, Mochua. This saint began his career as a warrior and at the age of approximately thirty he became a Christian convert. Saint Mochua founded a religious house in Timahoe, which was called after him Teach-Mochua i.e. Timahoe.
The Round Tower of Timahoe is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved towers of its class throughout the country. It rises to a height of 96 feet and measures 57 feet around the base on the outside circumference. This Romanesque tower was built around the 9th century. No light enters the first two stories, the third story was light from the eastern side by the doorway which is 16 feet from the ground. The 4th, 5th and 6th stories are light by the surrounding windows. The original cove roof was completely destroyed and repaired in the 19th century. The doorway rises 16 feet from the ground and projects 4 inches from the wall. The doorway has two columns, which exhibit lozenge shaped decorations and various curiously sculptured faces inside the doorway. The roof now consists of a pyramid-rounded cone with a merge point at the apex; the doorway of the tower appears to have some of the characteristics of ancient Irish doorways, narrowing towards the top. The tower was built of freestone, which is not a geological commodity of the area.
In the grounds of the tower, stands the ruins of an old castle and a modern Protestant church which has since being converted to a branch library. The old castle was built by the Cosby family during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Today Timahoe is a strong agricultural village. It has a strong local community both young and old who are dedicated to preserving their culture and building a strong local community.
Timahoe has a primary school accommodating around 120 pupils a community
hall. Timahoe is one of the most important historical villages located
in the Irish midlands.
This page was compiled for the Student Summer Job Scheme 1999 and was sponsored by the Timahoe G.A.A. Cluband the Development committee in Timahoe. This page was created by Yvonne Smyth.
The projects in this page were created by previous students. These projects
and more are avaliable from the local library in Timahoe.
Please sign the guest book:
If you have any comments or Queries regarding this page send e-mails to the following address
Last Revised: 26 October1999
