Welcome to Cuilleen

Cuilleen is a small, charming townland in County Mayo, Ireland. Long, long ago, even before your great-great-grandparents were born, Cuilleen was just a patch of green land with only a few people living there.

Now, you might wonder, "Did anything special ever happen in Cuilleen?" Well, there's no famous battle or treasure discovery, but there's a story that people love to tell about this place. Many years ago, Cuilleen was known for its wool trade. That means people kept lots of sheep, sheared their wool, and sold it to make warm clothes!

Imagine living in Cuilleen back then. You'd wake up to the sound of bleating sheep, help shear their wool, and watch it being spun into beautiful threads. And in winter, everyone would be warm and cozy in their woolen clothes, all thanks to the hardworking people of Cuilleen.

Even though Cuilleen doesn't have castles or famous heroes, it has its unique story. Today, it may be a quiet place, but its history of wool trade is remembered fondly. So, always remember, every place, no matter how small, has its special story to tell.

  1. What was Cuilleen known for many years ago?
  2. What were the steps in the wool trade process in Cuilleen?
  3. What is the unique story that Cuilleen has to tell?
  4. Why do you think it's important to remember the history of places like Cuilleen?
  5. If you could add a new chapter to Cuilleen's story, what would it be about and why?

All About Cuilleen

Cuilleen, Co. Mayo is a really exciting place in the west of Ireland. It's full of amazing natural features that you would love to explore! Cuilleen is near the coast, so there are lots of beaches around where you could build sandcastles. There's also the River Moy close by, which flows all the way into the Atlantic Ocean. Imagine the adventures that water has been on! The area is full of hills and mountains, like the Nephin Beg range. These are great for a hike, but remember always to go with an adult! You might spot some of the local animals too. There are lots of rabbits, foxes, and birds like the cheeky magpies and the pretty robins. In the town, there aren't many notable streets as it's a small place. But you can find beautiful stone walls along the paths and lots of colourful houses. Some of them have lovely gardens with flowers like roses, daisies, and even wild strawberries. So, Cuilleen, Co. Mayo is not just a place on the map, it's a place full of nature's wonders waiting to be discovered by little explorers like you!.

  1. What are some of the natural features you can find in Cuilleen, Co. Mayo?
  2. What type of animals might you spot in the Nephin Beg range?
  3. Describe the River Moy and its journey to the Atlantic Ocean.
  4. If you were to explore Cuilleen, Co. Mayo, what geographical feature would you be most interested in finding and why?
  5. Using a map of Cuilleen, Co. Mayo, can you identify and describe the location of the River Moy, Nephin Beg range, and the nearest beach?

My Family and Cuilleen

Hi, I'm Niall and I just turned 8! I live in a really cool place called Cuilleen, Co. Mayo. It's by the sea and there are loads of fun things to do. My favourite is going to see the lighthouse. It's super tall and I like to imagine being at the top, looking out at the sea.

We've also got these huge, green fields that seem to go on forever. Sometimes, I take my kite and run really fast to make it fly. It's fun watching it swoop and dive in the wind. We also have lots of cows and sheep in our fields. I like to watch them, they're so fluffy and their 'baa' sounds make me laugh.

There's also a cool place nearby with big rocks that we call the Giant's Causeway. It's neat to see how they fit together like a big puzzle. Sometimes, I like to imagine that giants really did make them.

Living in Cuilleen is great and I can't wait to have more adventures here!

  1. What is Niall's favourite place to visit in Cuilleen?
  2. What does Niall like to do in the fields?
  3. Why does Niall find the 'baa' sounds of the sheep funny?
  4. What does Niall imagine when he sees the Giant's Causeway?
  5. What does Niall look forward to doing in Cuilleen?

The Logainm of Cuilleen

Cuilleen is a special place in County Mayo, Ireland. The name 'Cuilleen' comes from the Irish word 'Coillín', which means 'little wood' in English. It got this name because of all the small trees and woods that grow there. It's like a tiny forest!

Many years ago, long before your grandparents were born, people in Ireland spoke mainly in the Irish language. So, places like Cuilleen got their names from the Irish words that described them. Over time, as more people began to speak English, these names were translated. So, 'Coillín' became 'Cuilleen'. Even though most people in Cuilleen speak English now, the place still carries its old Irish name.

Today, Cuilleen is still a lovely place full of trees. If you visit, you might feel like you've stepped into a little woodland fairy tale. Remember, next time you see a place name in Ireland, it might have an interesting story behind it, just like Cuilleen!

  1. What does the name 'Cuilleen' mean in English?
  2. Why do you think Cuilleen got its name?
  3. What language did people in Ireland speak many years ago?
  4. How did 'Coillín' become 'Cuilleen'?
  5. Why do you think it's important that we keep old place names like Cuilleen?

Slideshow - Cuilleen
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Cuilleen