Rochfortbridge

Rochfortbridge (Irish: Droichead Chaisleán Loiste) is a rapidly expanding town in County Westmeath, Ireland with a population of 1,382 in 2002. It is located on the N6 and is rapidly becoming part of the Dublin Commuter Belt.

1 Demographics
2 History
3 Current Events
4 Future
5 New Development Plans from Westmeath County Council
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Demographics

Current estimates are the town is now sized about 1,700 (Census figures suggest 1,692 but this is in the townsland of Castlelost, which only partially covers Rochfortbridge, a more realistic number if you include the townslands of Rahanine, Carrick, Enniscoffey, Gaybrook and Milltown would give a total population of the Rochfortbridge area of 3,091. This information was obtained from the Central Statistics office of Ireland [1] and shows a growth of about 6% in 4 yrs.

[edit] History

Rochfortbridge (Pass of Kilbride) was always a stopping point on the main East-West/West-East route across Ireland, (an Slí Mór") It is believed that there used to be a de-lousing station here during the famine.

The village was set out by Robert Rochfort (1651 - 1727) M.P. for Westmeath and grandfather of Robert 1st Earl of Belvedere. This is disputed by some but is highly likely to be true. See historical records available in Westmeath County Library for more information. Some believe that it was always an actual place on the east west route with some people living there. It is possible that Robert Rochfort did indeed set out the village but in doing this he was adding to the settlement as it was.

The original bridge was named Beggars Bridge. The fable that a beggar was found dead on the old bridge with a sum of money in his pockets is a romantic notion and often mistaken as fact. This beggar story has no foundation in fact and it is thought and spoken by folks that the name "Beggars Bridge" was just a "nickname" used for the transit settlement near Oldtown where beggars gathered.

Robert Rochfort M.P. set out and named the village Rochfortbridge in 1700 to after receiving a grant from Queen Anne to hold a monthly market therein.

[edit] Current Events

Currently in Rochfortbridge there is a good amount of groups in action from GAA, to Dancing (Both Pop/Hiphop and Irish Traditional) Youth Clubs, Cub Scouts, Soccer and Scor/Drama. The Parish Hall (The Hall of St. Joseph the Worker) closes it doors in late January 2007 for a major face lift and extension, bringing the hall and it's facilities up to date for the large town which Rochfortbridge has become. There are a lack of Amenities in Rochfortbridge but the completion of All weather playing pitches by the GAA will certainly go a long way towards addressing this.

[edit] Future

With the new N6 Dual Carraigeway [2] bypassing the town and the estimated completion of a major sewerage improvement scheme by Westmeath county Council, the population of Rochfortbridge is signalled to rise by up to 500 houses with planning applications expected this spring. This will be closely monitored by the people of Rochfortbridge to ensure that proper amenities are provided to the town as well as houses.