Little Ireland | Cleator Moor | Cumbria

The road to Cleator Moor Surgery will be closed for resurfacing on Monday 17th of May. There will be access to the surgery for any patients who need to attend on that day. Please access from the junction at Cleator Moor square.

First Holy Communion is to take place at St. Mary's Church as soon as circumstances allow. It is hoped that the sacrament can be shared with children on Saturday 19th June, and Saturday 3rd July.

The Pilgrimage to Cleator Grotto has been pencilled in for Sunday 12th September. A final decision on plans will be made at the end of July. Residents will be encouraged to have a real Pilgrimage, walking with family to the Grotto.

A petition has been launched by residents asking Cumbria Police to address anti-social behavior in Cleator Moor. Police have been invited by the Town Council to their next meeting to discuss issues, with a hope to increase Policing. Cllr Linda Jones-Bulman said: "The more people speak up, the better chance there is of something being done."

Cleator Moor Celtic Under Eights have been keeping busy during lockdown, by completing 150 star jumps a day for 30 days, raising a fantastic £527.24 for the WCH Childrens Ward. Coaches Darren Richardson and Damian Skillen said they are proud of all the players.

Katie Hutton, historical fiction author, is writing a novel set in Cleator Moor and Barrow for Bonnier Zaffre Books. It is touted for release in June 2022.

Cumbria Police are monitoring the blocking of the pavement between High Street and Queen Street by vehicles. Motorists are asked to adhere to the Highway Code.

Police say they are seeing a slight rise in rural thefts and ask that you ensure that you remain vigilant to this activity, and secure your property at all opportunities.

The Phoenix Youth Project are looking for volunteer youth workers. If you'd like to contribute to this rewarding work, get in touch with them on 01946 814555.

Ryan McDowell from Cleator Moor is planning to solo swim across the English Channel to raise funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Ryan hopes to make the 21 mile crossing in 13 hours.

St Bega’s, the former chapel at Bowthorn, has now been sold. It was opened in 1970 by Abbot Freeman OSB of Douai Abbey. It was looked after with dedicated care by parishioners throughout its life as a chapel and beyond.

A controversial planning application for 11 houses on a greenfield site on Trumpet Road has been passed by Copeland Planners.

The possibility of CCTV coverage of Cleator Moor Square is being contemplated by local authorities. Plans are in their early stages.

Vandals have destroyed new seating at Longlands Lake. Police are appealing for information. Call 101.

New cycle path access points are now open, replacing unofficial tracks. Access points have been made possible due to an early contribution of cash from the Government's Town Fund Deal.

Plans for a pedestrian crossing at Bowthorn are with Cumbria County Council.

The Old Vicarage at Cleator is set to open up gardens following remodelling - with camping, craft-making, entertainment, cafe, bar and spa being available.

Marathon Man beer now available from Ennerdale Craft Brewery in aid of Gary McKee's amazing 110 Marathon charity feat.

The Town Council is to contribute £25,000 to a planned Public Realm space. Railings around Cleator Moor Square are to be removed. Work is expected to commence in 2022/23.

Uncooked, rotting food waste left at the rear of a High Street takeaway has been investigated by Environmental Health.

Cleator Moor is a town in West Cumbria, UK, born from the ancient village of Cleator. The town grew across moorland, out of industry, enterprise and geographical advantages. Rich haematite iron ore of the district, and the proximity of the parish to coastal shipping, and new railway system, account for a rapid transformation.

In the beginning, the moorland of Cleator was barren with a few farms tending a stark land. In the 17th Century, Iron Ore was first extracted from beneath the ground. In the 18th and 19th Century mining expanded with Iron Ore being a vital ingredient for the Industrial Revolution, modernising industry.

The population of Cleator Moor is estimated at 330 in 1688; it then doubled from 362 in 1801 to over 763 by 1841; then surged across the second half of the 19th century as result of industrial development. The new town of Cleator Moor was laid out on former Common land from the 1880s. By 1861 the population stood at 3,995; it peaked at 10,420 in 1881. It then declined, to 8,120 by 1901 and to low point of 6,411 in 1951, after which it rose to 7,686 by 1971; today, the population stands at around 7,000.

A substantial increase in mining operations during the 19th century coincided with a devastating potato famine which had left over 1 million Irish dead, and another 1 million spread across the globe. The Irish diaspora brought thousands to the new town on the moor, giving rise to the moniker, Little Ireland.

During the years of major growth, Cleator Moor didn't have a visible town centre, and consisted primarily of rather featureless rows of houses. The beginning of the market square was agreed on Monday, 2nd October 1871, where it was decided at the Local Board meeting that "A market be established, and that about seventy yards in length of Jacktrees Road and from the corner of Jacktrees Road opposite Mr Richardson's shop along Ennerdale Road to Mr Kelly's Joiner Shop to be the Market Place".

In 1876 it was decided to make the market square more presentable, and so slag was carted on to it to provide a solid foundation. In 1877-8, a local contractor, Mr Doloughan was set to building the Market Hall and Public Offices: these would be the buildings facing Jacktrees Road. In 1882, the Market Hall was extended. The present Public Library Building was not erected until 1906, on the strength of a Carnegie Grant.

The town and neighbouring village of Cleator are overlooked by Dent Fell which is on the fringe of the National Park; Dent is the first fell that you encounter on the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk. The Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle network also passes through Cleator Moor via a disused railway which is now part of the National Cycle Network. South from Cleator, is Longlands Lake, a former iron ore mine which is now a local beauty spot and haven for wildlife.

Cleator Moor has a few distinct communities which have emerged as the town has grown; such as Mill Hill, Bowthorn and Wath Brow.

The town is known for its sporting achievements; Celtic Football Club has produced players that have gone on to play for National Teams and for England, Wath Brow Hornets are a leading amateur rugby league team again producing national players. The Cricket Club has also won the National Village competition at Lords, London.