Taughmaconnell (Irish: Teach Mhic Conaill, meaning “MacConaill’s house”) is a small village in South Roscommon, Ireland. It lies between Athlone and Ballinasloe. It is also the name of the parish in which the village lies.
The local church is dedicated to the memory of Saint Ronan who also had connections with the Aran Islands and Clonmacnoise. The important focal points within the parish – all depicted on the parish banner – are Saint Ronan’s Well, the National School and the Church. The Parish Priest is Fr. Sean Neylon.
St Ronan’s holy well lies in the middle of the parish and hosts a yearly mass. There are castle ruins to be seen in Castlesampson, Clonbigney and Dundonnell.
The majority of people are farmers or work in the large factories and government offices in nearby towns. Ballinasloe is about 5.3 miles away and Athlone is about 6.8 miles away.
Sport
Soccer – The local soccer team is Skyvalley Rovers which plays in the Roscommon and District League. The club was founded in 1971 and plays at Onagh Park close to Chapel Street the natural parish centre. The team has won 8 league titles, 7 Roscommon Cups and 10 league cups/division cups.
Gaelic Games – The local GAA team is Padraig Pearses GAA Roscommon which is located outside the parish at Woodmount, just off the main Athlone-Ballinasloe N6 road.
Tug of War – The local Tug of War club was established in 2009 and is affiliated to the Irish Tug of War Association. The team trains at Cloonkeen.
Notable residents
John G. Downey the seventh Governor of California from 1860 to 1862 and namesake of Downey, California – was born in Castlesampson, Taughmaconnell in 1827.
Brendan Shine, popular ballad and country singer.