Brideswell, County Roscommon

Brideswell (Irish: Tobar Bríde, meaning 'the well of Bríd')[1] is a village located in the south of County Roscommon, Ireland. It lies 11km from the Centre of Athlone and 60km from Tuam Town.

Brideswell
Tobar Bríde
Village
Brideswell village centre
Brideswell village centre
Brideswell is located in Ireland
Brideswell
Brideswell
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°27′N 8°06′W / 53.450°N 8.100°W / 53.450; -8.100
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
CountyCounty Roscommon
Elevation
62 m (203 ft)

Education

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Brideswell National School is the local national (primary) school, and caters for children from junior infants to sixth class. As of early 2020, there were approximately 50 pupils enrolled in the school.[2] Saint Brigid's holy well is located next to the school.

Facilities

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There are two public houses in the village. A post office, which was located at the Eskerbane end of the village, is now closed. Adjacent to the post office there is a Gaelic handball alley, which has fallen into disrepair and is now rarely used. O'Connell's shop has closed down in recent years.[citation needed]

Sport

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The nearest sports club to the village is Cam Celtic soccer club, which plays its home matches in the local community centre. The local Gaelic football team is St Brigid's GAA. Handball is also played in the handball alley in nearby Curraghboy.[citation needed]

Gerald "Gerry" O'Malley (1928–2016) was a Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-back for the Roscommon senior football team. There is a memorial to O'Malley in the area.[citation needed]

Pattern

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The pattern (derived from the word 'patron' referring to a patron saint) is an annual event held in the village involving a Mass ceremony. This is followed by a festival in the village for the remainder of the day. The event is dedicated to St. Brigid and has been held annually (in July) since the mid 20th century.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Tobar Bríde / Brideswell". logainm.ie. Irish Placenames Commission. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Find a School - Brideswell N S". education.ie. Department of Education. Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Annual pattern at Brideswell launched". westmeathindependent.ie. Westmeath Independent. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2020.