Welcome to Knockmay

Knockmay is a special place in County Laois, Ireland. It's a "townland," which is a unique Irish term for a small area of land. Isn't that cool?

Long, long ago, Knockmay was a part of the Kingdom of Osraige. This was a kingdom filled with brave warriors and wise kings. It sounds almost like something from a storybook, doesn't it?

Many, many years later, in the 1800s, a railway station was built in Knockmay. This was really important because it helped people travel and send things to other parts of Ireland more easily. Imagine if you could jump on a train right outside your door and travel to a whole new place!

Though there aren't any famous battles or fairy tales from Knockmay, the townland has its own special story. It's a story of people living, working, and growing together. It's a story of children going to school, farmers tending their fields, and families gathering together.

Even though it might seem like an ordinary place, Knockmay is a part of the beautiful tapestry of Ireland's history. And who knows? Maybe one day, you could visit Knockmay and add your own story to its history!

  1. What is a "townland"?
  2. What was Knockmay a part of long, long ago?
  3. What important thing was built in Knockmay in the 1800s, and why was it important?
  4. Even though there aren't any famous battles or fairy tales from Knockmay, what special story does the townland have?
  5. How is Knockmay a part of the beautiful tapestry of Ireland's history?

All About Knockmay

Knockmay, located in Co. Laois, is a fun and interesting place to learn about! This area is filled with exciting things to see and do. One of the most famous streets in Knockmay is O'Moore Place which is named after Rory O’Moore, a hero from long ago. Along the streets, you can spot colourful street furniture like benches and bins, each one decorated in bright, cheerful colours.

Knockmay doesn't have big mountains or rivers, but it's surrounded by beautiful Irish countryside. You can spot different animals like squirrels, rabbits, and many types of birds. If you're lucky, you might even see a fox!

There are a lot of plants and flowers here too. In the spring, daffodils and bluebells bloom, turning the area into a sea of colour. In the parks, you can find trees like oak and ash.

Not far away is the pretty town of Portlaoise, where you can visit the People's Park. There's a playground and even a small zoo that houses animals like peacocks and rabbits!

So, as you can see, Knockmay is a place full of nature and history. It may be small, but there's a lot to explore!.

  1. Who is O'Moore Place named after and why is he significant?
  2. What kind of wildlife can you find in Knockmay?
  3. Describe the type of vegetation you can find in Knockmay.
  4. What features can you find in the People's Park in Portlaoise?
  5. Using a map, identify and describe a geographical feature of interest in or around Knockmay.

My Family and Knockmay

Hi, I'm Riley. I'm 8 years old and I live in Knockmay, Co. Laois. It's a really cool place to grow up. My house is near the People's Park, which is a huge park with lots of trees and a big playground. I love to play on the swings and slide with my friends after school.

There is a big lake in the park too, where ducks and swans swim. Sometimes, my mum and I feed them with breadcrumbs. It's fun to watch them waddle and quack for more.

Not far from my home is the Portlaoise Train Station. I love watching trains come and go. The sound of the train whistle is so exciting! I dream of becoming a train driver when I grow up.

We also have this cool place called 'Roll 'n Bowl'. It's a bowling alley and it has a playground inside. It's the best place for birthday parties. I had my last birthday there and it was super fun.

That's all about me and where I live. I think Knockmay is the best place in the world.

  1. What is the name of the park near Riley's house and what does Riley do there?
  2. What kind of birds does Riley see in the park and what does Riley and their mum do for them?
  3. What is located not far from Riley's home and what does Riley dream of becoming?
  4. What is the name of the fun place where Riley celebrated their last birthday?
  5. Why does Riley think Knockmay is the best place in the world?

The Logainm of Knockmay

Knockmay is a small place in County Laois, Ireland. Its name in Irish is "Cnoc Maí", which is a fun way of saying "May's Hill". So when you say Knockmay, you're actually talking about a hill that belongs to someone named May. Now, who's May? Well, she's not a person, but a figure from an old Irish story, a goddess named Maia. Long time ago, people believed this hill was a special place for her.

Over the years, the name changed a little bit, from "Cnoc Maí" to "Knockmay" as people began to say it in English. Today, Knockmay is a peaceful place where people live, go to school, and play. Just imagine, right where kids are playing football, there might have been people telling stories about Goddess Maia many years ago!

  1. What does "Knockmay" mean in English?
  2. Who was May, according to the old stories?
  3. How has the name "Cnoc Maí" changed over time?
  4. What do people do in Knockmay today?
  5. Can you imagine what Knockmay might have been like when it was still called "Cnoc Maí"?

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