Johnstownbridge

History

A freestanding limestone cross of disputed provenance stands at Johnstown Crossroads dating to 1412.

The bridge was the scene of a battle in the 1798 rebellion between Michael Aylmer's rebel forces and British colonial forces. Johnstownbridge had a patent granted in the 17th century for holding a weekly market on Monday, but Lewis's Topography noted in 1837 that "this privilege has not been enjoyed for many years: fairs are held on March 31st, May 29th, Oct. 13th, and Dec. 21st." Lewis also noted "a curious old cross, the only relic to mark the site of an abbey that formerly existed here.". A constabulary police station was based here in the first half of the 19th century. One of Daniel O'Connell's colleagues in Irish independence movement Richard More O'Ferrall (1797–1880), MP for Kildare 1839-57 and 1859–65, lived in Balyna house.

Amenities

The town is served by Saint Patrick's National School. The town's Gothic-style Catholic church dates to c.1830, and is also dedicated to Saint Patrick.

Johnstownbridge GAA, the local Gaelic Athletic Association club, has won the Kildare football championship three times and their camogie team has won multiple All-Ireland titles.

Notable people

• Daniel Flynn – Kildare Senior footballer and former Australian rules footballer, grew up on a farm near Johnstownbridge
• Colonel Francis Forde (1718–1769) – Anglo-Irish military officer and East India Company officer, built and lived in Johnstown House, 1 km north of Johnstownbridge
• Major Edward Dudley Metcalfe (1887–1957) – British Indian Army officer and equerry to King Edward VIII, born and raised in Metcalfe Park House in Gorteen, Johnstownbridge
• Damien Molony – Irish actor, grew up in Johnstownbridge
• Rory O'Moore (1600-1655) - Leader of the 1641 Rebellion was likely born at Balyna House, 4km west of Johnstownbridge.

References

References

1. (April 2016). "SAPMAP Area - Settlement - Johnstownbridge". CSO.
2. "Baile Sheáin / Johnstownbridge (Johnstown Bridge)". Irish Placenames Commission.
3. "Johnstownbridge (Ireland) Census Town".
4. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11801007/johnstown-crossroads-johnstown-cadamstown-ed-johnstown-bridge-kildare
5. Samuel Lewis. (1837). "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland".
6. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/11900312/ballina-balyna-house-ballina-county-kildare
7. "Saint Patrick's National School, Johnstown". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
8. "Saint Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, Johnstown". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
9. McCullagh, Andrea. (14 March 2014). "Port Adelaide's Kildare rookie back in Ireland".
10. David Murphy. (October 2009). "Forde, Francis". [[Dictionary of Irish Biography]].
11. https://www.independent.ie/news/stud-with-a-house/26135552.html
12. http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4292573&tpl=archnews&force=1
13. https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/dedicated-to-his-craft/29721909.html
14. https://seamusdubhghaill.com/2024/02/16/death-of-rory-omoore-organizer-of-the-irish-rebellion-of-1641/