• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Archives
  • Privacy Policy

Irish American Mom

Celebrating Our Irish Heritage Together

  • Irish Cooking
    • A Taste of Ireland
    • Recipe Index
    • Bread, Muffins, Pancakes And Scones
    • Drinks And Cocktails
    • Favorite American Recipes
    • Irish Appetizers And Party Food
    • Irish Breakfast
    • Irish Cakes, Cookies And Desserts
    • All Recipes
    • Irish Main Dishes
    • Irish Side Dishes
    • Irish Soups And Stews
    • Reader Recipes
    • Irish American Mom’s Pancake Roundup
  • Irish Culture
    • Blessings
    • Irish Books
    • Irish Crafts
    • Irish Expressions
    • Irish Life
    • Irish Movies
    • Irish Music
    • Irish Poetry
    • Irish Superstitions
    • Irish Television
    • The Irish Language or Gaelic
    • Symbols Of Ireland
    • The Irish Psyche
    • The Spud Saga
    • What I Miss About Ireland
    • Wise Old Words
  • Visiting Ireland
    • Ireland – County By County
    • Land and Culture
    • Why Tourists Love Ireland
  • Immigrant Tales
    • Stories of our Ancestors
    • Stories from the Present
    • Genealogy Resources
  • Ramblings
    • My American Journey
    • Why I Love America
    • Blogging
    • Holidays
    • America the Beautiful
  • Giveaways
    • Giveaways
    • Gifts
  • Buying Irish Food
You are here: Home / Immigrant Tales / Ardmore – An Irish And American Town Name

Ardmore – An Irish And American Town Name

June 8, 2012 by Irish American Mom 13 Comments

Towns named Ardmore dot the American map, appearing in numerous states throughout this nation.  The original Ardmore is a village in County Waterford located beside a beautiful beach and magnificent cliffs.  Aird Mhór in Irish literally means” great height”.

I always laughed when I passed Ardmore Drive, a street in one Florida neighborhood, close to where I lived many years ago.  It was situated on the flattest land ever – no height involved whatsoever.

There are many places in America called after this beautiful seaside Irish village.  Ardmore, Pennsylvania is a western suberb of Philadelphia, and Ardmore, Oklahoma lies equidistant from Oklahoma City and Dallas, Texas.  I often wonder if either American location is on a “great height” as the name suggests.

In today’s post I thought we might take a quick look at the original Ardmore, which inspired so many Americans in naming their new towns.

The cliffs at Ardmore, Ireland rise high above the Atlantic swells, with lofty precipices jutting southwards into the waters.

A cliff path winds around the spectacular coastline.

 

Cliff walkers pass the ruins of an ancient church, an old coastguard station, and St. Declan’s Cell and Holy Well.  It is reported that St. Declan brought Christianity to this area of Waterford long before St. Patrick ever reached Ireland.

The ruins of a 13th century cathedral lie on a hill above the village.  The carvings on the cathedral wall  date back to a 9th century church.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinsblog/3476373740/in/photostream/Image Credit

A magnificent 12th century round tower overlooks the village from its prominent elevated position.  It is a well-preserved example of these ancient bell towers, which were possibly also used as a place of refuge.

http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1107690
Ardmore Beach – © Copyright Paul Leonard and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons License

Image Credit

Ardmore Beach boasts sandy shores and beautiful views of Ireland’s southern Atlantic coastline.

Memories of this wild and beautiful landscape must surely have haunted immigrants to America who left their beloved Ardmore behind.  Perhaps a longing for an ancient, spiritual link to their homeland inspired them to name so many new hometowns after their childhood village.  I believe Ardmore’s skies, winds, cliffs, ocean and sandy shores  remained vividly seared in their minds’ eye.

Today the ancient ruins of Ardmore commemorate the sorrows and joys of her long lost children, those forced to depart to seek a better life. Ardmore’s mystical stones are invisibly etched with their memories.  These immigrants never forgot the place of their birth, and Ardmore remembers them forever.

Slán agus beannacht leat!

(Goodbye and blessings)

 

 

Irish American Mom

Share my recipes and ramblings with the world
  • 1
    Share

Filed Under: Immigrant Tales, Lessons for Tourists, Stories of our Ancestors, Why Tourists Love Ireland Tagged With: Immigrant Tales, Lessons For Tourists, Stories of our Ancestors, Why Tourists Love Ireland

Recent Updates from Irish American Mom

  • This Christmas May You Have Walls For The Wind
  • The Light Of The Christmas Star To You
  • May You Be Blessed With The Spirit Of The Season
  • May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    June 8, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Beautiful images as always Mairead, I especially like the huge strand, it is beaconing for a good game of ball, and then a quick dip. You’re right to how many places share like names, as I wake up today wasn’t sure if I was in Boston Ma., or Boston County Clare.
    Cheers,
    Brian.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      June 9, 2012 at 10:30 am

      Brian – As I drive around Kentucky and other states in America it is amazing how many towns have Irish names. When we drove to New York from Kentucky a few years ago we even passed a place called Letterkenny, PA, named after my husband’s hometown. I think there is an army depot there. I might start taking photos of signposts with Irish place names.
      Hope you have a great weekend in Boston, MA.
      Mairead

      Reply
  2. Pamela D Hart says

    June 8, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Mairead, what beautiful pictures! Even though I’m afraid of heights, I would be drawn to those cliffs. From the pictures, the look breath-taking! That 13th Century tower is amazing. How the heck did they manage to build it way back then without any technology? And it’s STILL standing in all its splendor!

    Have a super weekend!

    Reply
    • Pamela D Hart says

      June 8, 2012 at 3:59 pm

      oops “they” look breath-taking.

      And it’s a 12th Century tower. Makes it even more amazing.

      Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      June 9, 2012 at 10:34 am

      Pamela – there are many round towers still standing all around Ireland. Some are missing roofs, but many are completely intact. I love how ancient buildings dot the Irish countryside. It is amazing how they have survived the elements all though the centuries, especially Ireland’s wet and windy climate. You are so right – builders from hundreds of years ago sure knew what they were doing.

      Have a wonderful weekend too!

      Reply
  3. Grammy says

    June 10, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Oh, the picture of the tree clinging precariously to the cliff with the beautiful colors of the sky behind it….perfection!

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      June 10, 2012 at 11:38 am

      Thanks Grammy – My sister’s friend sent me that one – it really is a beautiful shot.

      Reply
  4. Cheryl Barker says

    June 13, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Mairead, we drive through Ardmore, OK anytime we drive from our home in SE KS to the Dallas or Houston area. As I recall, it’s not on a height of any kind.

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      June 13, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      Cheryl – I guessed Ardmore, OK might be pretty flat, especially after living in Dallas for 7 years, surrounded by flat, open grasslands. There aren’t too many mountains in that part of Oklahoma either. But whether on a height or even ground, Ardmore is still a lovely name for any town. Best wishes!

      Reply
  5. Brigid says

    June 23, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Quite by chance, I came across your lovely site. I live and work as an artist in the beautiful Ardmore in Co. Waterford where I can’t help but be inspired by my surroundings. Recently I was in a little place called Hollywood in Co. Wicklow where the sheep happily graze around their “Hollywood ” sign set high on a hill! It is lovely to think of lots of Ardmores and other Irish place names dotted across America. X

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      June 23, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      Brigid – You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful spot as Ardmore, Co. Waterford. I fully understand how your magnificent surroundings inspire your artwork. I took a look at your website and love your paintings, especially your cow pictures. My family have a farm in Co. Cork and my mother named every cow and calf she ever raised. Each had their own personality which seemed to shine through their big, inquiring eyes, a look you capture poignantly in your artwork.
      Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment.
      Best wishes.
      Mairead

      Reply
  6. Rory says

    February 8, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    My Hometown…

    Reply
    • Irish American Mom says

      February 8, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Rory – What a beautiful place to call home.
      All the best,
      Mairéad

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Pamela D Hart Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search My Site

A Warm Welcome From Irish American Mom

I believe it’s never too late to explore your Irish cultural heritage and celebrate your ancestors’ spiritual legacy. Read More About The Irish American Mom Community

Mom’s Recipes and Ramblings Are Featured On Irish Central

A green background around the letters I and C in the Irish Central Logo

Thanks For Visiting

Advertising
Comment Policy
Disclaimer
Disclosure
Privacy Policy
Contact
FAQ's
Sitemap

 

© Copyright 2011-2019, Irish American Mom.

All Rights Reserved.

Previously Featured On Irish American Mom

Blue wave graphic titled America Bound

America Bound

Statues, mountains, coastline and thatched cottage Irish collage

Introducing My New Logo

Irish art sculpture showing Ferdia carrying Cú Chulainn

Irish Roadside Art

Casserole of cauliflower cheese with a single serving in a ramekin

Cauliflower Cheese

Multi colored circles with the word diaspora diagonally placed

“Diaspora” – Do I Like Or Loathe The Word?

Many Thanks to the Irish Blog Awards – Irish American Mom Won the Silver Award in the 2018 Diaspora Category

Silver glittery b for the silver winner badge in the Blog Awards Ireland 2018

Recent Reader Comments

  • Irish American Mom on Homemade Mincemeat
  • Mariana on Homemade Mincemeat
  • Irish American Mom on May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • Kathleen on May Peace And Plenty Be The First To Lift The Latch On Your Door
  • Nuala Kelly on The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland
  • Mary Alice on How To Cook Rutabaga Or Turnip Irish Style
  • Lori Powell on The First Christmas Sweater – A Christmas Tale From Ireland

Copyright © 2019 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This site uses cookies: Find out more.