Suncroft (Irish: Crochta na Gréine)[3] is a village in County Kildare, Ireland, south of The Curragh and east of Kildare Town. As of 2016, Suncroft had a population of 746.[1]
Suncroft
Crochta na Gréine | |
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Village | |
![]() Old graveyard in Suncroft | |
![]() ![]() Suncroft Location in Ireland | |
Coordinates: 53°06′28″N 6°51′40″W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Leinster |
County | County Kildare |
Population (2016)[1] | 746 |
Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Irish Grid Reference | N761071 |
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1981 | 571 | — |
1986 | 513 | −10.2% |
1991 | 520 | +1.4% |
1996 | 490 | −5.8% |
2002 | 498 | +1.6% |
2006 | 607 | +21.9% |
2011 | 735 | +21.1% |
2016 | 746 | +1.5% |
[2] |
The name Suncroft means "a sun blessed croft". According to local folklore, Suncroft was named by a priest who was walking in the croft (or field), and the sun was shining so brightly on the field that he decided to name the place Suncroft.[4]
The primary school in the town is Suncroft National School (in Irish Scoil Bhride, Crochta na Gréine).[5]
Bus Éireann route 126 serves the village once a day in each direction (not Sundays) providing a link to/from Kildare, Newbridge, Naas and Dublin. The nearest railway stations are Kildare railway station and Newbridge railway station. NASA Suncroft was home to Ireland's first ever rocket launch, the intention being a trip to Mars but the rocket exploded before it even left the ground.
Suncroft A.F.C. is the local football club, and Suncroft GAA is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club.
Places in County Kildare | ||
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County town: Naas | ||
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Villages and Townlands |
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