Bruff

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'Bruff'
An Brú

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
52°28′37″N 8°33′00″W / 52.477, -8.55

Irish grid reference
R647369

Statistics

Population (2006)
- Town:
- Environs:

3,938
1,977

Bruff (An Brú in Irish) is a small town in east County Limerick, in the midwest of Ireland, located on the old Limerick–Cork road (R512). The town lies on the Morning Star river, with two bridges in the town itself. The area around Bruff is quite scenic,^{[citation needed]} and the horse-shoe lake of Lough Gur is nearby.

1 History
2 Sport
3 Development and economy
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Historical artifacts around the area date back to the Stone Age, with various buildings up to the early Christian still extant. Bruff is the hometown of American missionary and bishop John Joseph Hogan.

The town suffered heavy fighting in the Battle of Killmallock during the Irish Civil War. Near the Catholic church, there is a large statue of Sean Wall, a volunteer of the War of Independence.

The imposing building which formerly served as the Garda station in the town is listed for preservation, and its current owner is currently converting it to living accommodation.^{[citation needed]}

Another notable attraction is the number of murals that have been painted on the walls of buildings in the town over the last few decades.

[edit] Sport

The town's sporting background is evident in the town's active Gaelic Athletic Association, Pitch & Putt club, the active Hockey Club,^[1] soccer club, and rugby union. Bruff R.F.C. is the home club of Irish International player John Hayes.^[2]

[edit] Development and economy

Once described in the Sunday World newspaper as "the town that the Celtic Tiger Forgot",^{[citation needed]} it has of late seen an increase in population and a general renewal, mainly due to its classification as a satellite town of Limerick City. Major expansion for the town is planned with a new development plan by Limerick County Council in the final design stages. The population is expected to double over the next ten years or so.^{[citation needed]}

There are six pubs (one with a restaurant), two restaurants and a Eurospar in the town. Bruff is located near the edges of the Ballyhoura Fáilte tourist area.