Our history

Newmarket was originally called Áth Trasna which describes a ford or a river crossing. This ford was situated to the west of the town on the river Dalua and was reached in the past by travelling along part of the the old Kerry road to the Dalua and continuing westward past the ancient cemetery of Clonfert. This crossing was important at a time when there were few bridges and it was part of one of the main routes from Cork into Kerry. It was natural that towns grew up around river crossings as can be seen by the way in which the city of Dublin, Baile Áth Cliath, developed near a ford across the River Liffey.

The present lay-out of Newmarket town has developed over the centuries and it is likely that there was in earlier times a small village along the Kerry Road to the west of the modern town. Newmarket was part of Clanawley, the territory of The McAuliffe Clan. It is probable from the great wealth of legend and folklore that is attached to the clan, that the McAuliffes had been in Duhallow for a long time before the McCarthys,the O’Keeffes and The O’Callaghans arrived, driven southwards in the turmoil that followed the Norman invasion. 

The savage wars of the sixteenth century slowly destroyed the fabric of the old gaelic order and the McAuliffes finally lost control of their lands at the beginning of the Seventeenth century when Clanawley was granted to Richard Aldworth, a soldier in the English Army. Thus began a long association of the Aldworth family with Newmarket and this association was to shape the town in many ways. 

Newmarket, Co. Cork, is a town with a rich history and a strong sense of community. Our story is one of resilience, collaboration, and a shared vision for a brighter future. Discover more about our town's heritage, local initiatives, and the people who make Newmarket a special place to live.