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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
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{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Connacht
| native_name = {{lang|ga|
| motto =
| website =
| image_shield = Coat of arms of Connacht.svg
| image_skyline =
| shield_size = 90px
| image_flag = Flag of Connacht.svg
| flag_size = 150px
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| subdivision_name2 = [[County Galway|Galway]]<br />[[County Leitrim|Leitrim]]<br />[[County Mayo|Mayo]]<br />[[County Roscommon|Roscommon]]<br />[[County Sligo|Sligo]]
| leader_title = [[Teachtaí Dála]]
| leader_name = 6 [[Independent
| leader_title2 = [[Member of the European Parliament|MEPs]]{{Ref label|MEP|a|}}
| leader_name2 = 2 [[Fine Gael]] MEPs<br /> 1 [[Sinn Féin]] MEP<br /> 1 [[Independent
| coordinates = {{coord|54|-9|display=inline,title}}
| area_total_sq_mi = 6,838
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|population_rank = [[Provinces of Ireland#Demographics and politics|4th]]
|population_density_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes = <ref name=Census>{{
| iso_code = IE-C<ref name=ISO>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_3166-2_newsletter_ii-1_corrected_2010-02-19.pdf |title=ISO 3166-2 Newsletter II-1 (including Irish language names for provinces and counties) |date=19 February 2010 |page=20 |publisher=[[International Organization for Standardization]] (ISO) |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203140951/http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_3166-2_newsletter_ii-1_corrected_2010-02-19.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area codes]]
| area_code = 07''x'', 09''x'' <small>(primarily)</small>
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| footnotes =
a. {{
| name =
}}
'''Connacht''' or '''Connaught''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɒ|n|ɔː|t|,_|ˈ|k|ɒ|n|ə|(|x|)|t}} {{respell|KON|awt|,_|KON|ə(kh)t}};<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190126220734/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Connacht "Connacht"] (US) and {{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Connacht |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211073158/https://www.lexico.com/definition/connacht |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-02-11 |title=Connacht |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Connacht|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{
Between the reigns of [[Conchobar mac Taidg Mór]] (died 882) and his descendant, [[Aedh mac Ruaidri Ó Conchobair]] (reigned 1228–33), it became a kingdom under the rule of the [[Uí Briúin
The Kingdom of Connacht collapsed in the 1230s because of civil war within the royal dynasty, which enabled widespread [[Hiberno-Norman]] settlement under [[Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught]], and his successors. The Norman colony in Connacht shrank from c. 1300 to c. 1360, with events such as the 1307 battle of Ahascragh (see [[Donnchad Muimnech Ó Cellaigh]]), the 1316 [[Second Battle of Athenry]] and the murder in June 1333 of [[William Donn de Burgh, 3rd Earl of Ulster]], all leading to Gaelic resurgence and colonial withdrawal to towns such as [[Ballinrobe]], [[Loughrea]], [[Athenry]], and [[Galway]]. Well into the 16th century, kingdoms such as Uí Maine and [[Tír Fhíacrach Múaidhe]] remained beyond English control, while many Norman families such as de Burgh, de Bermingham, de Exeter, de Staunton, became entirely [[Gaelicised]]. Only in the late 1500s, during the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland]], was Connacht [[shire]]d into its present [[Counties of Ireland|counties]].
Connacht's population was 1,418,859 in 1841.<ref>{{
British [[cultural imperialism]] was weaker in the west of Ireland, and Connacht today has the highest number of [[Irish language]] speakers among the four Irish provinces. Currently, the total percentage of people who consider themselves as Irish speakers in Connacht is 39.8% (more than 202,000 persons).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|title=Percentage of Irish Speakers and Non-Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over 2011 to 2016 by Sex, County and City, Statistical Indicator and Census Year|website=Central Statistics Office|access-date=2018-10-31|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710165025/http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> There are [[Gaeltacht]] areas in Counties [[County Galway|Galway]] and [[County Mayo|Mayo]].
The province of Connacht has no official function for local government purposes, but it is an officially recognised subdivision of the Irish state. It is listed on [[ISO-3166-2]] as one of the four provinces of Ireland and "IE-C" is attributed to Connacht as its country sub-division code.<ref name=ISO /> Along with counties from other provinces, Connacht lies in the [[Midlands–North-West (European Parliament constituency)|Midlands–North-West]] constituency for elections to the [[European Parliament]].
== Name ==
The name comes from the medieval ruling dynasty, the ''Connacht'', later [[Connachta]], whose name means "descendants of Conn", from the mythical king [[Conn of the Hundred Battles]]. The
The usual English spelling in Ireland since the [[Gaelic revival]] is ''Connacht'', the spelling of the disused Irish singular. The official English spelling during English and British rule was the [[anglicisation]]
== Geography and political divisions ==
The province is divided into five traditional [[Counties of Ireland|counties]], the fewest of any province. These are: [[County Galway|Galway]], [[County Leitrim|Leitrim]], [[County Mayo|Mayo]], [[County Roscommon|Roscommon]] and [[County Sligo|Sligo]]. Connacht is the smallest of the four Irish provinces both in terms of size and population. [[Galway]] is the only official city in the province.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpr/censusofpopulation2016-preliminaryresults/geochan/|title=Table B
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! County !! Population <br /> (2022) <br /> !! Area
|- style="text-align:right; background"
|align=left|[[County Galway|Galway]] <small>(''Gaillimh'')</small>||276,451||{{convert|6149|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
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|}
=== Largest settlements ===
{{Largest population centres
| country = Connacht in 2022
| stat_ref = <ref name="F1015">{{cite web|url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015|title=Census 2022 Profile 1 - Population Distribution and Movements|publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]]}}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name =
| div_link = Counties of
| city_1 =Galway
| div_1 = County Galway
| pop_1 =
| img_1 = The Tribes of Galway, Eyre Square.jpg
| city_2 = Sligo
| div_2 = County Sligo
| pop_2 =
| img_2 = Sligo Harbour 2020.jpg
| city_3 = Castlebar
| div_3 = County Mayo
| pop_3 =
| img_3 = Castlebar large view from above.jpg
| city_4 = Ballina, County Mayo{{!}}Ballina
| div_4 = County Mayo
| pop_4 = 10,
| img_4 = Fly fishing, River Moy, Ballina, Mayo, Ireland.jpg
| city_5 = Tuam
| div_5 = County Galway
| pop_5 =
| city_6 =
| div_6 = County
| pop_6 = 6,
| city_7 =
| div_7 = County
| pop_7 =
| city_8 =
| div_8 = County
| pop_8 = 6,
▲| img_8 = Westport (2409320233).jpg
| city_9 = Loughrea
| div_9 = County Galway
| pop_9 =
| city_10 = Oranmore
| div_10 = County Galway
| pop_10 =
| img_10 = Oranmore Castle.jpg
| city_11 =
| div_11 = County
| pop_11 = 4,
| city_12 = Athenry
| div_12 = County Galway
| pop_12 = 4,
| city_13 =
| div_13 = County
| pop_13 =
| city_14 =
| div_14 = County Mayo
| pop_14 = 3,
| city_15 = Boyle, County Roscommon{{!}}Boyle
| div_15 = County Roscommon
| pop_15 = 2,915
| city_16 = Gort
| div_16 = County Galway
| pop_16 = 2,870
| city_17 = Ballyhaunis
| div_17 = County Mayo
| pop_17 = 2,773
| city_18 = Ballaghaderreen
| div_18 = County Roscommon
| pop_18 = 2,387
| city_19 = Castlerea
| div_19 = County Roscommon
| pop_19 = 2,348
| city_20 = Barna{{!}}Bearna
| div_20 = County Galway
| pop_20 = 2,336
}}
=== Physical geography ===
{{multiple image
| align = right
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| alt1 =
}}
The highest point of Connacht is [[Mweelrea]] (814
Much of the west coast (e.g. [[Connemara]] and [[Erris]]) is ruggedly inhospitable and not conducive for agriculture. It contains the main mountainous areas in Connacht, including the [[Twelve Bens]], [[Maumturks]], Mweelrea, [[Croagh Patrick]], [[Nephin Beg]], [[Ox Mountains]], and [[Dartry Mountains]].
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The largest urban area in Connacht is [[Galway]], with a population of 79,934. Other large towns in Connacht are [[Sligo]] (19,199), [[Castlebar]] (12,068) and [[Ballina, County Mayo|Ballina]] (10,171).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=E2052&PLanguage=0|title=Population and Birthplace 2016 by Alphabetical List of Towns, CensusYear and Statistic|website=Central Statistics Office|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924154525/https://data.cso.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Early history ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Ireland early peoples and politics.gif|thumb|Early peoples and kingdoms of Ireland, c.800.]]
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The name Connacht arose from the most successful of these early dynasties, The [[Connachta]]. By 1050, they had extended their rule from [[Rathcroghan]] in north County Roscommon to large areas of what are now County Galway, County Mayo, County Sligo, and County Leitrim. The dynastic term was from then on applied to the overall geographic area containing those counties, and has remained so ever since.
=== Kingdom of Connacht ===
[[File:Www.wesleyjohnston.com-users-ireland-maps-historical-map1014.gif|thumb|right|250px|Ireland's main kingdoms as of 1014. Clockwise from the north-east they are [[Ulaid]], [[Airgíalla]], [[Kingdom of Mide|Mide]], [[Laigin]], [[Munster]], [[List of kings of Connacht|Connaught]], [[Kingdom of Breifne|Breifne]] and [[Aileach]]. The city-states of [[Dublin|Dyflin]], [[Wexford|Weisforthe]], [[Waterford|Vedrafjord]], [[Cork (city)|Corcach]] and [[Limerick|Luimneach]] are shown. Missing are kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Osraige|Osraighe]] and [[Uí Maine]].]]
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By the reign of [[Áed in Gai Bernaig]] (1046–1067), Connacht's kings ruled much what is now the province. Yet the Ó Conchobair's contended for control with their cousins, the Ua Ruairc of [[Uí Briúin Bréifne]]. Four Ua Ruairc's achieved rule of the kingdom – [[Fergal Ua Ruairc]] (956–967), [[Art Uallach Ua Ruairc]] (1030–1046), [[Áed Ua Ruairc]] (1067–1087), and [[Domnall Ua Ruairc]] (1098–1102). In addition, the [[usurper]] [[Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh]] gained the kingship in 1092 by the expedient of blinding King [[Ruaidrí na Saide Buide]]. After 1102 the Ua Ruairc's and Ua Flaithbertaigh's were suborned and confined to their own kingdoms of Bréifne and [[Iar Connacht]]. From then until the death of the last king in 1474, the kingship was held exclusively by the Ó Conchobair's.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}
The single most substantial sub-kingdom in Connacht was [[Uí Maine]], which at
Though the Ó Ceallaigh's were never elevated to the provincial kingship, Uí Maine existed as a semi-independent kingdom both before and after the demise of the Connacht kingship.
=== Kings and High Kings ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Rory O'Connor Stone Carving.jpg|thumb|Stone carving of Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair from [[Cong Abbey]] ]]
Under kings [[Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair]] (1088–1156) and his son [[Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair]] (c.
Tairrdelbach was highly innovative, building the first stone castles in Ireland, and more controversially, introducing the policy of [[primogeniture]] to a hostile Gaelic polity. Castles were built in the 1120s at [[Galway]] (where he based his [[Naval fleet|fleet]]), [[Dunmore, County Galway|Dunmore]], [[Sligo]] and [[Ballinasloe]], where he dug a new six-mile canal to divert the river Suck around the castle of Dun Ló. Churches, monasteries and dioceses were re-founded or created, works such as the Corpus [[Missal]], the High Cross of [[Tuam]] and the [[Cross of Cong]] were sponsored by him.
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However, his expulsion of [[Dermot MacMurrough]] later that year brought about the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]] in 1169. Ruaidrí's inept response to events led to rebellion by his sons in 1177, and his deposition by [[Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair]] in 1183. Ruaidrí died at [[Cong, County Mayo|Cong]] in 1198, noted as the annals as late ''"King of Connacht and of All Ireland, both the Irish and the English."''
=== High medieval era ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2020}}
Connacht was first raided by the [[Anglo-Normans]] in 1177 but not until 1237 did [[encastellation]] begin under [[Richard Mor de Burgh]] (c.
Lesser lords of both ethnicities included [[McDonagh|Mac Donnchadha]], [[Costello (surname)|Mac Goisdelbh]], Mac Bhaldrin, [[Mac Jordan of Connacht|Mac Siurtain]], [[O'Hara (surname)|Ó hEaghra]], [[O'Flaherty|Ó Flaithbeheraigh]], [[Dowd|Ó Dubhda]], [[O'Shaughnessy|Ó Seachnasaigh]], [[Monahan|Ó Manacháin]], [[Joyce (name)|Seoighe]], [[O'Malley (surname)|Ó Máille]], [[Rourke|Ó Ruairc]], [[Madudan mac Gadhra Mór|Ó Madadháin]], [[Clan Barrett|Bairéad]], [[Mulrooney|Ó Máel Ruanaid]], [[Eidhean mac Cléireach|Ó hEidhin]], [[Finnerty|Ó Finnaghtaigh]], [[Fallon (surname)|Ó Fallmhain]], [[Welsh language|Breathneach]], [[Geraghty|Mac Airechtaig]], [[Naughton|Ó Neachtain]], [[Ó hAllmhuráin]], [[Fahy|Ó Fathaigh]].
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All of Connacht's lordships remained in states of full or semi-independence from other Gaelic-Irish and Anglo-Irish rulers until the late 16th century, when the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland]] (1534–1603) brought all under the direct rule of King [[James I of England]]. The counties were created from c. 1569 onwards.
=== Confederate and Williamite Wars ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2020}}
During the 17th century representatives from Connacht played leading roles in [[Confederate Ireland]] and during the [[Williamite War in Ireland]]. Its main town, Galway, endured several sieges (see [[Sieges of Galway]]), while warfare, [[plague (disease)|plague]], famine and sectarian massacres killed about a third of the population by 1655. One of the last battles fought in pre-20th century Ireland occurred in Connacht, the [[Battle of Aughrim]] on 12 July 1691.
=== Early modern era ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2020}}
{{Main|Republic of Connacht}}
[[File:Green harp flag of Ireland.svg|thumb|Flag of the short-lived "Republic of Connacht"]]
Connacht was mainly at peace between 1691 and 1798. In 1798 Connacht was a major backdrop to the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798]] when French forces under General [[Jean Joseph Amable Humbert|Jean Humbert]] of the [[French First Republic|French Republic]] landed in Killala, County Mayo to link up with the [[United Irishmen]]. Together, the French and Irish forces defeat a British garrison at the [[Races of Castlebar]] before proclaiming the [[Irish Republic (1798)|Irish Republic]], which later became better known as the "Republic of Connacht" as its area of effective control never extended beyond the province. The Republic, and the Rebellion itself, was effectively crushed at the [[Battle of Ballinamuck]].
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A [[population growth|population explosion]] in the early 18th century was curbed by the [[Irish Famine (1740–1741)|Irish Famine]], which led to many deaths and some emigration. Its memory has been overshadowed by the [[Great Famine (Ireland)]] one hundred years later.
=== The Famine to World War
Connacht was the worst hit area in Ireland during the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]], in particular, counties Mayo and Roscommon. In the Census of 1841, the population of Connacht stood at 1,418,859, the highest ever recorded. By 1851, the population had fallen to 1,010,031 and would continue to decline until the late 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libraryireland.com/articles/DeclinePopulationThom1861/index.php|title=1861 Census: Decline of the Population in Ireland (Famine, Disease and Emigration)|website=www.libraryireland.com|access-date=2020-02-09|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128064110/https://www.libraryireland.com/articles/DeclinePopulationThom1861/index.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Politics ==
[[Connacht–Ulster (European Parliament constituency)|Connacht–Ulster]] was one of Ireland's four regional [[constituency|constituencies]] for elections to the [[European Parliament]] until it was superseded in 2004 by the constituency of [[North-West (European Parliament constituency)|North-West]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/government-parties-hope-to-woo-electorate-during-six-months-1.1128832|title=Government parties hope to woo electorate during six months|date=2004-01-05|
== Irish language ==
{{further|Connacht Irish|History of the Irish language}}
The [[Irish language]] is spoken in the [[Gaeltacht]] areas of Counties Mayo and Galway, the largest area being in the west of County Galway. The Galway Gaeltacht is the largest Irish-speaking region in Ireland,
There are 202,667 Irish speakers in the province, over 84,000 in Galway and more than 55,000 in Mayo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|title=Percentage of Irish Speakers and Non-Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over 2011 to 2016 by Sex, County and City, Statistical Indicator and Census Year|website=Central Statistics Office|access-date=2018-11-06|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710165025/http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> There is also the 4,265 attending the 18 [[Gaelscoileanna]] (Irish language primary schools) and three [[Gaelcholáiste]] (Irish language secondary schools) outside the Gaeltacht across the province.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}} Between 7% and 10% of the province are either native Irish speakers from the Gaeltacht, in Irish medium education or native Irish speakers who no longer live in Gaeltacht areas but still live in the province.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}
==Sport==▼
===Gaelic games===▼
▲== Sport ==
▲=== Gaelic games ===
[[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] dominate sport in Connacht with 212 [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] affiliated clubs in the province.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joe.ie/sport/infographic-the-number-of-gaa-clubs-in-every-county-in-ireland-and-every-continent-around-the-world/420318|title=Infographic: The number of GAA clubs in every county in Ireland and every continent around the world|access-date=24 November 2015|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125045713/http://www.joe.ie/sport/infographic-the-number-of-gaa-clubs-in-every-county-in-ireland-and-every-continent-around-the-world/420318|url-status=live}}</ref>
Gaelic football is played throughout the province with the five counties annually competing in the [[Connacht Senior Football Championship]] to determine the provincial champion. [[Galway GAA|Galway]] are the most successful side in Connacht with 48 Connacht titles and 9 [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]]. [[Mayo GAA|Mayo]] have been the dominant force in the province in recent years winning a five-in-a-row of Connacht titles from 2011 to 2015, and have regularly reached the semi-finals and finals of the [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rooney
Hurling in Connacht mostly played in County Galway. [[Galway GAA|Galway]] is the only team in the province to compete in the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] winning the [[Liam MacCarthy Cup]] five times. The [[Galway GAA|Galway hurling team]] compete in the [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]] due to the lack of competition in the province.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/galway-moved-leinster-championship-more-2029995|title = Dublin have had better preparation ahead of Leinster final clash with Galway claims Cathal Moore|date = 6 July 2013|access-date = 24 November 2015|archive-date = 25 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024627/http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/galway-moved-leinster-championship-more-2029995|url-status = live}}</ref>
=== Rugby union ===
Connacht is represented by [[Connacht Rugby]] in the [[
Connacht-based teams who have played in the [[All-Ireland League (rugby union)|All-Ireland League]] include [[Buccaneers RFC]], [[Galway Corinthians RFC]], [[Galwegians RFC]], [[Ballina RFC]] and [[Sligo RFC]].
=== Other sports ===
Some other sports are overseen by provincial bodies, including in association football, where the [[Connacht Football Association]] is the governing body for a number of [[Connacht Senior League (association football)|Connacht league]] and [[Connacht Senior Cup (association football)|cup competitions]]. Traditionally there have been two main senior men's teams from the province that compete on a national level, [[Galway United F.C.]] and [[Sligo Rovers F.C.]] Both clubs have won various domestic honours.
[[Cricket]] is a minor, but growing, sport within the province. The [[Connacht Cricket Union]], founded in 2010, is the governing body for cricket in the province.<ref>{{ == See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Galway city]]
*[[Connacht Senior Football Championship]]
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{{div col end}}
== References ==
{{
== External links ==
{{
{{NIE Poster|Connaught}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130526045359/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=GA&Geog_Code=03#T3_300 Census 2011 – Galway Gaeltacht stats]
|