Cúil Aodha


Cúil Aodha, anglicised as Coolea, is a townland and village in the Gaeltacht region of Muskerry in County Cork, Ireland. It is near the River Sullane's source, high in the Derrynasaggart Mountains.

Geography

The townland of Cúil Aodha is in Ballyvourney parish, and is an official Gaeltacht where the Irish language is used alongside English. The area is known for its strong cultural tradition, especially within in music and song; Sean-nós.
The village of Cúil Aodha is close to a number of wind farms which are located on the mountains which mark the border between County Cork and County Kerry. The land is mountainous and roadways are usually narrow lane ways which lead up the valley.
Cúil Aodha lies within the Cork North-West Dáil constituency.

People

The Irish composer Seán Ó Riada lived in the area between Cúil Aodha village and Ballyvourney until his death. His son Peadar Ó Riada still conducts the choir 'Cór Chúl Aodha'. In the summer of 2008 a bronze monument of Seán Ó Riada was erected near Cúil Aodha. In sport, Donal Óg Ó Liathain from the area played for the Cork inter-county football team.

Economy

is produced in the area. The Mark Éire factory, which specialises in climate technology, opened in 1987 and is still operating its Irish Department out of Cúil Aodha village.
There are no amenities such as bars, shops or restaurants in the village. These can be found in nearby Ballyvourney.

Film

Both Song for a Raggy Boy directed by Ashling Walsh and The Wind That Shakes the Barley directed by Ken Loach were filmed in the area surrounding Cúil Aodha.

Transport

The area is rural and has a dispersed population around the valley. No bus service operates to the village. The nearest Bus Éireann route is the Cork to Tralee route which passes through Ballyvourney which is approximately 2 miles from Cúil Aodha village.