TREAGH OR TRAUGH

The first Irish emigrants who settled in Kelly’s Cross, called the settlement “Treagh” or Truagh”.

In an effort to obtain the proper meaning of these words, and to find the reason for their choice of the name, the Irish Ambassador, to Canada, was contacted, and his Secretary, Jeremy Craig replied as follows:

“As regards the name “Treagh” or “Truagh” by which Kelly’s Cross was formerly known, this is undoubtedly derived from the Irish language (Gaelic). As you spell it the word means “trident” or “Speak”. However, unless this makes sense in some local context, I would incline to think that it maybe a variant spelling for “Tra” or “Traigh”, which means “Strand” or “breach”. This would be particularly likely if Kelly’s Cross is on the coast; the word occurs frequently in Irish placenames as for example, in Tramore (the big Strand).”

So it is difficult to have a clear expression of the meaning of the word, and why it was chosen as the name for Kelly’s Cross. In the County of Monaghan there is a Lake of Truagh which perhaps suggested itself to the early settlers and so the name Truagh.

Since most of the early emigrants to Kelly’s Cross came from the County of Monaghan, it might be informative to give a brief description of Monaghan.

MONAGHAN (ULSTER) (Country Town: Monaghan)

An inland country, with a rather broken surface of many low, rounded hills. Small lakes are situated in the southern half, and also to the north-east of the town of Monaghan,

The highest point lies in the extreme north-west, where the Slieve Beag rang, straddling the Northern Ireland Border, reaches 1,000 feet.

The River Blackwater flows through the country which is well cul- tivated. The town of Monaghan, which has a Catholic Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Clogher.

Carrickmacross, a small town situated to the south-east is noted for its lace.

Places of Scenic Interest — Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Rock- corry.

Places of Architectural or Historic Interest —— Clones, Glasslough.