Finnea


Finnea is a small village in County Westmeath on the border with County Cavan. It straddles the R394 road.

Transport

route 447 provides a link to Castlepollard, Crookedwood and Mullingar on Thursdays only. The nearest railway station is Edgeworthstown railway station approximately 22 km. distant.

History

The village is known for its association with Myles "The Slasher" O'Reilly whose monument in the town relates how he died on 5 August 1646 defending the Bridge of Finea against English forces. Percy French also mentioned the Bridge of Finea in his ballad "Come Back Paddy Reilly".
Finea lies on land between Lough Sheelin and Lough Kinale and the bridge crosses the River Inny flowing between them.
Finea is also the birthplace of writer Dermot Healy. Thomas Davis celebrated Finnea with his ballad 'The Flower of Finea'. Finea is also known for its scenery, fishing and game shooting which attract many foreign tourists.
Victoria Cross recipient, General Sir Mark Walker, was born in Gore Port, Finnea. He was the brother of Sir Samuel Walker, 1st Baronet, who was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland by Gladstone in 1892.

Demographics

The area had a population of 317 in the 2006 Census, a 21.9% increase from the 2002 Census.

Notable residents