Sixmilebridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sixmilebridge (Droichead Abhann Uí gCearnaigh in Irish) is a vibrant and rapidly expanding village in County Clare, Ireland, population 1,327 (2002 Census) which is likely to increase due to the large amount of houses going up in the area. Located midway between Ennis and Limerick city, the town is a short distance away from the main N18 road, being on the old "back road" between the two. The Limerick–Ennis railway line passes through the village. The station was closed a number of years ago, but Clare County Council plans to reopen it in 2008. The village of Kilmurry (Cill Mhuire in Irish) is also part of the Sixmilebridge parish.
Contents |
[edit] History
The unusual English name of the village derives, as Thomas Dineley who visited Sixmilebridge in 1681 describes: "From Bunratty, the seat of the Earl of Thomond, into the town of Sixmilebridge, belonging also to that noble family, is 3 miles; from whence to the city of Limerick, to which are two ways, namely by the oil mills and the seat of the Mc Namaras beyond it, or over the high mountain, famous for its admirable prospect, hanging as it were over Sixmilebridge town and commonly known as Gallows Hill; this is the upper, the other the lower way to Limerick and from town to the city six miles either way, whence the town hath its name".
The original village grew up around a crossing place on the O'Garney River. By the end of the seventeenth century development was tied to the industrialisation of the area as people of Dutch origin found the river very suitable for milling. This ended abruptly with the building of a toll bridge on the river by Henry D'Esterre (Ó Dálaigh 2004). D'Esterre's construction gained a profit from people crossing the river but halted the trading done with Holland.
According to local tradition [1], the famous duel between Daniel O'Connell and a member of the D'Esterre family in February 1815 arose from O'Connell's refusal to pay the toll. This conflicts with the conventional account of the duel. D'Esterre lost his life, but the toll bridge survived and remains standing to this day.
Today Sixmilebridge partly serves as a dormitory town for workers in Limerick City, Ennis and Shannon region.
[edit] Culture
Each January, a diverse band of musicians invades the village as it plays host to a colourful selection of singers, instrumentalists, dancers and yarn spinners for the Sixmilebridge Winter Music Weekend. This festival was established in the year 2000 by the Sixmilebridge Folk Club. It makes use of any pub back room or corridor to create a venue in which to perform. The event lasts one weekend and has wide-ranging acts and events including French street groups, Irish, American and English singer-songwriters, oldtime bands, stand up comedians, singing and dancing workshops, blues singers and bluegrass bands. Some heavyweights on the Irish music scene usually headline. Kate Purcell, Johny Moynihan, Mick Hanly and Ger Wolfe have all played. The festival is unique for its open itinerary and insistence on nearly all gigs being acoustic and wireless.
Loughy, an influential traditional Irish musician, has made regular appearances at the festival with his group 'Fada'. His brother Colm O'Loughlin, who also grew up in Cappagh, in Sixmilebridge, is an up-and-coming rock pop musician who performs mainly in mainland Europe. Colm O'Loughlin wrote the Community Games theme song "We're singing as one" for the National Community Games in 2005.
A unique feature of Sixmilebridge is the highly decorated but functional "duck inn" on the O'Garney River, occupied by a thriving population of ducks. The duck inn is a floating, thatched raft with glass windows and painted walls. It houses the ducks during winter and is also where their locally consumed eggs are hatched and collected. It forms part of the tourist trail of Sixmilebridge.
[edit] Societies
The Sixmilebridge tidy towns committee also do very well every year in the national competition.
The Sixmilebridge Youth Club is very popular among youths and each year presents a play in a light hearted and enjoyable way. Past shows have included Cinderella, Aladdin and Robinson Crusoe.
Although not a society 'Dancemasters School Of Dance' was formed by Michelle Naughton-Shires after she had been active in the youth group for many years and she still holds her flagship class (one of approx 20 a week) in the local GAA Hall every Tuesday evening between 5 and 7 o'clock teaching the local children of all ages.
The Sixmilebridge Variety Group has enjoyed much success down through the years and is well renowned not just over Ireland but in some other countries like Denmark where it has performed down through the years. Many members of the group have gone on to achieve great things down through the years.
As well as the river, there are many lakes in the area such as Mountcashel lake and these waters provide tourists with a chance to catch coarse fish such as Pike, Bream and Roach. Game fish such as Trout and Salmon can also be caught in the river but certain laws and rules apply. Sixmilebridge Angling Club exists to protect and promote the positive spirit of angling throughout the Owen O'Garney River system.
The first Sixmilebridge St Patricks Day parade took place on the 19th March 2007. Greg Wilmot, An Australian native played the role of St Patrick in the parade.
[edit] Schools
There are two primary schools in the Sixmilebridge Parish, namely Sixmilebridge National School and Kilmurry National School. For secondary education, students go to schools in Limerick, Shannon, Ennis and Tulla.
[edit] Accommodation
There are many guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts around Sixmilebridge. Mount Cashel, just outside Sixmilebridge provides self-catering accommodation. The Jamaica Inn, a hostel, is also a good place to stay.
[edit] Sport
Sports are also very prominent in the area with locals partaking in Hurling and Soccer. The local GAA club is Sixmilebridge and gets its players from the Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry area. The club was formed in 1904 mainly as a Gaelic football club, but also played Hurling, the sport that is now most associated with the 'Bridge. Nowadays the club participates at Hurling, Camogie and Scór. The club is well known for its Hurling and many players from there have represented their county with distinction down through the years with some having the honour of winning Munster and All-Ireland Hurling championships with Clare at Senior, Junior and Minor levels. The club also won an All-Ireland club title (becoming the first team from Clare to have won it) on March the 17th (St. Patrick's day) 1996.
The local soccer (football) club is called Bridge United. The club was formed in 1966. They too have enjoyed success down through the years. Some players within the club have got trials with professional clubs in England down through the years. The highlight of their history was when they won for the first time, the Clare and District Soccer League Premier Division title in the 1972/73 season. They have since repeated that feat twice in 2002/03 and 2005/06 respectively.
There is an attractive pitch and putt and nine hole golf course at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge which is open all year round to cater for your golfing needs.
There is also a number of sport societies and clubs in the area which cater for the Sixmilebridge and District. There is the Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Community Games, Sixmilebridge Golf Society, Olympic Harriers Athletic Club, Tradaree Coursing Club, Sixmilebridge Gun Club and Kilmurry Gun Club. Some locals also have horses and some play rugby.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Ó Dálaigh, Brian (2004). "A History of Sixmilebridge, County Clare, 1603--1911". Irish Villages: Studies in Local History: pp.243-280, Dublin: Four Courts Press. ISBN 1-85182-766-8.
