Oranmore is the anglicisation of Uarán Mór. The first written record of Oranmore is in the Annals of the Four Masters. It was originally called Fuarán Mór. The name refers to a spring to the northwest of the main village. A bi-lingual information sign was erected by Oranmore Community Development Association in 2010 outlining the history of the spring.
Economy
The focus of industry has shifted from dairy agriculture to tourism, manufacturing and logistics. Oranmore has four hotels and 23 restaurants.
Oranmore village is near the old N6 Galway to Dublin road and the old N18 from Galway to Limerick. The M6 Motorway connects to the existing road at Doughiska, as well as connecting with the M18 at Glenascaul. The former N6 leading into Oranmore has been reclassified as the R338regional road. The M18 motorway was officially opened on 27 September 2017 and connects to the M6 at Rathmorrissey at a three-level interchange. This road runs close to Oranmore but does not connect directly to it, and instead, motorists have to access it using the R381 at Kiltiernan or the M6 at Rathmorrissey. Bus Éireann, Citylink, and Nestor Bus services through Oranmore serve Galway, Dublin, Cork, and Dublin and Shannon Airports. Oranmore aerodrome was a Royal Air Force base in World War I. It later became a civil airfield serving the city of Galway. It was the site where many British and Irish troops lost their lives and there is a ceremony in Oranmore each year to remember them.
Sport
is the local GAA club, and has won a number county titles across several age groups, including a Galway Senior Hurling Championship title in 1933 and All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship title in 2019. The club fields teams in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. Naomh Mhuire Ladies Football Club, Oranmore Maree fields ladies' Gaelic football teams from under-10 to minor and junior. Maree/Oranmore Soccer Club was founded in 1988. The club is one of the "big three" in Galway alongside Mervue United and Salthill Devon. Galway Bay Golf Resort is based in Renvile, Oranmore, and has been named best golf resort in Connacht 10 times. Other clubs in the area include the Oranmore Badminton Club, Maree Badminton Club, Maree Basketball Club, Oranmore Judo Club and Galway Bay Sailing Club. The latter is based in Renville, Oranmore. Junior "Park Run" events are run on Sunday mornings.
People
Joseph Henry Blake, nobleman and socialist, grew up on a nearby estate in Treanlaur, Maree.
Thomas Nicholas Redington, Irish politician, born here.
Joe Howley, Irishman involved in the struggle for Irish Independence, was killed by the British in December 1920. A statue stands in Oranmore in his honour.
Bill King, round-the-world sailor and owner of Oranmore Castle.
