Castlejordan (Irish: Caisleán Shiurdáin)[1] is a village and townland in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the south of the county, close to the border with County Offaly, to the south of Kinnegad.[2][3] The townland of Castlejordan has an area of approximately 2.2 square kilometres (0.85 sq mi),[4] and had a population of 85 people as of the 2011 census.[5]
Name
Castlejordan is named for Jordan De Courcy, ancestor of the Norman De Courcy family. Following his uncle John De Courcys death in Downpatrick, Jordan De Courcy was exiled to Exeter. Upon his return to Ireland he built a castle in the area.[6][7]
History
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area include ringfort sites in the surrounding townlands of Kildangan and Harristown.[8] There is a ruined medieval tower house in the village, which was historically associated with the Gifford family.[9][10]
Castlejordan village contains a pub, a post office, and the Roman Catholic church.[13] The local national (primary) school, Castlejordan Central National School (also known as St Ciarán's NS), had an enrollment of 85 pupils as of 2020.[14]
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