the Croom area was reduced to regional contests between the Earls of Desmond and the Earls of Kildare. Both houses associated their war cries with their territory: the war cry of the Geraldines of Kildare was Cromadh-abú ( Victory to Croom ), with various spellings Croom Abú. For comparison, the war-cry of the Desmond Geraldines was Seanaid-abú, associated with Shannid Castle, or Shannid Forever. Places of interest Croom is home to Croom Castle, rebuilt by the FitzGeralds and Fitzmaurices from an earlier O'Donovan fortress, which may or may not have first been destroyed. In any case, it was restored in the 19th century. In the 18th century, it was the meeting-place of the "Maigue poets." West of Croom are the ruins of a 15th-century church (National Monument) and a round tower (12th century), the top part of which is missing. To the east is Croom Hospital which began life in 1852 as a workhouse, and became a hospital in 1924. Along the river Maigue is a ruin mill along with a newer mill, built by Henry Lyons in 1788 and was operational until 1927. In late 2014, a new Civic Centre was opened which includes a restaurant, library, public computers and function hall. Transport Croom railway station opened on 1 August 1862, closed for passenger traffic on 31 December 1934 and for goods traffic on 9 September 1963, finally closing altogether on 27 March 1967. The town is bypassed by the N20 Croom Bypass (2001), and Bus Éireann and Citylink buses no longer stop in Croom. Sport The thoroughbred horse stud Islanmore Stud is on the south side of the village. The original 18th-century house was built for a younger brother of the Earl of Dunraven. The local GAA club is Croom GAA. Croom United F.C. is a soccer club in the area. Education Croom has two schools, a primary school named "St. Marys" and a secondary school named "Coláiste Chiaráin". See also List of towns and villages in County Limerick References Towns and villages in County Limerick