Knocknacarra

The townland of Knocknacarra (or Knocknacarragh) lies, on the shores of Galway Bay, within the civil parish of Rahoon and the historical barony of Galway. The suburb of Knocknacarra lies approximately 5 kilometres west of Galway city centre. The area is home to a public park, Cappagh Park, which connects directly into Barna Woods. ==History and development==

Evidence of ancient settlement within Knocknacarra townland includes a number of ringfort, holy well and midden sites. In the 1810s, 97 people were reported to be living in Knocknacarra. By 1913, Knocknacarra had a population of 153 people and it was considered a rural area. In the 1970s, urban development had begun on Knocknacarra, and a sewage system was 'nearing completion' by 1973. While the area was still considered to be 'mostly fields' in the 1980s and 1990s, the area experienced significant development from the late 1990s both commercially and residentially. ==Amenities==

While Knocknacarra is primarily a residential area, there are several shops, cafés and restaurants in the area, including in the Gateway Retail Park. This shopping centre counts Dunnes Stores, B&Q and Harvey Norman among its tenants. There is also a Lidl, an Aldi and a Tesco in the area. The local Dunnes branch is sometimes known locally as a 'fancy Dunnes' due to its homeware options, the size of its clothing section, as well as its instore deli, cheese-monger and other facilities. Knocknacarra Community Centre, which has a bookable hall and meeting rooms, is one of three community centres run by Galway City Council. Knocknacarra's Catholic church, dedicated to St John the Apostle, is within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. ==Irish language and education==

Together with nearby Barna, Knocknacarra is in a "Language Planning Area" which means that government funding is available to promote the Irish language in the area. An Irish language centre, Áras Mhic Amhlaigh, was opened in Knocknacarra in September 2022. The building is used on weekdays as a naíonra (Irish speaking pre-school) which is run by the nearby Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh. The only secondary school in Knocknacarra, Coláiste Na Coiribe, is an exclusively Irish-speaking school (or Gaelcholáiste). ==Transport==

Road travel in Knocknacarra is centred on the Western Distributor Road, a 2.9-kilometre route running west–east between the Cappagh Roundabout and the Deane Roundabout. This road serves as the suburb's main artery, while also linking into four minor north–south roads that provide access to surrounding neighbourhoods. Several CityDirect bus routes, including routes 410, 411 and 412, run from Knocknacarra into Eyre Square. The 410 travels via Salthill, the 411 travels via westside, and the 412 offers a more direct route. There has been some criticism of traffic congestion and public transport options in the Knocknacarra area. In a survey conducted by the National Transport Authority, 50% of respondents expressed approval for a proposed bus route from Gateway Retail Park in Knocknacarra to Oranmore, the highest approval rate among the routes considered. ==Sport==

The local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, Salthill–Knocknacarra GAA, is based in the Salthill and Knocknacarra areas of Galway. Galway Bay Rugby Club, formerly Barna Knocknacarra Rugby Club, was established in the area in 2007. ==References==