Bruff
Encyclopedia
Bruff is a 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, and the horse-shoe lake of Lough Gur
is nearby.
. In the sixteenth century it was granted to the Standish family from whom it passed by inheritance to the
Hartstonge Baronets
, and ultimately to the Earl of Limerick
.
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 has converted it into living accommodation.
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. Ard Scoil Mhuire is the only secondary school in the town, and may be closed in 2012, amid protests.
, Club which can be found at http://www.bruff.limerick.gaa.ie/index.html, Pitch & Putt club, Hockey Club, soccer club, and rugby union
. Bruff R.F.C.
is the home club of Irish International player John Hayes
.
in the final design stages. The population is expected to double over the next ten years or so.
There are five pubs (one with a restaurant), another restaurant, a Eurospar, a Centra
, a pharmacy and a Post Office
in the town. Bruff is located near the edges of the Ballyhoura Fáilte tourist area.
Bruff has an active Cultural and Arts Society which organises an Annual Summer Festival. The Bruff festival has been held each of the last four years since it's beginning in 2006 most notably including the Morning Star Rose Competition and the Morning Star Escort Competition (since 2008).The Sean Wall Committee organise Bloomsday in Bruff festival every year on the 16th of June
Accommodation is the town is provided in what used to be the Old AIB Bank, known as "The Old Bank", this historic 4* banking town house offers accommodation in luxurious ensuite jacuzzi rooms, ranging from family interconnecting rooms to the serene intimacy of four poster bedrooms over looking peaceful courtyard gardens. Each room possesses its very own distinct individual style that blend period decoration with all of today's modern services and luxuries. See www.theoldbank.ie for more details
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, in the midwest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, located on the old Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
–Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
road (R512
R512 road
The R512 road is a regional road in Ireland which runs from Limerick City to Fermoy, County Cork. At one time it was part of the main route between the cities of Limerick and Cork.-References:* – Department of Transport...
). The town lies on the Morning Star river, with two bridges in the town itself. The area around Bruff is quite scenic, and the horse-shoe lake of Lough Gur
Lough Gur
Lough Gur is a lake in County Limerick, Ireland between the towns of Herbertstown and Bruff. The lake forms a horseshoe shape at the base of Knockadoon Hill and some rugged elevated countryside. It is one of Ireland's most important archaeological sites...
is nearby.
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 HoganJohn Joseph Hogan
Bishop John Joseph Hogan was a Catholic priest and missionary in Missouri in the American Civil War era. He was the first Bishop of the Dioceses of Saint Joseph, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri.-History:...
. In the sixteenth century it was granted to the Standish family from whom it passed by inheritance to the
Hartstonge Baronets
Hartstonge Baronets
The Hartstonge Baronetcy, of Bruff in the County of Limerick, was a title in the Baronetage of Ireland. It was created on 20 April 1681 for Standish Hartstonge. a judge of the Irish Court of Exchequer who had inherited Bruff from his mother. The second Baronet was a member of the Irish House of...
, and ultimately to the Earl of Limerick
Earl of Limerick
Earl of Limerick is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The earldom was created for the first time in 1686 for Sir William Dongan, 4th Baronet, with remainder, failing male issue of his own, to his brothers Robert, Michael and Thomas and the heirs male of their bodies...
.
The town suffered heavy fighting in the Battle of Killmallock during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. Near the Catholic Church, there is a large statue of Sean Wall, a volunteer of the War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
.
The imposing building which formerly served as the Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
station in the town is listed for preservation, and its current owner has converted it into living accommodation.
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. Ard Scoil Mhuire is the only secondary school in the town, and may be closed in 2012, amid protests.
Sport
The town's sporting background is evident in the town's active Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, Club which can be found at http://www.bruff.limerick.gaa.ie/index.html, Pitch & Putt club, Hockey Club, soccer club, and rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Bruff R.F.C.
Bruff R.F.C.
Bruff Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby club in the town of Bruff, in Ireland.-History:The club was set up in late 1969-early 1970 by two G.A.A. players, Willie Conway and Nicholas Cooke....
is the home club of Irish International player John Hayes
John Hayes (rugby player)
John Hayes is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup for Munster. Having spent his underage career playing with the local Cappamore GAA club, he was 18 when he started playing rugby. It was his size which enabled him to overcome his late start to the sport...
.
Development and economy
Bruff town 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 CouncilLimerick County Council
Limerick County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Limerick in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of...
in the final design stages. The population is expected to double over the next ten years or so.
There are five pubs (one with a restaurant), another restaurant, a Eurospar, a Centra
Centra
Centra is a convenience store chain in Ireland.The chain is run by Musgrave, the Irish food wholesaler, however the stores are all owned by individual franchisees. The chain has three different formats available to franchisees — smaller Quick Stop outlets, mid-sized Foodmarkets, and larger...
, a pharmacy and a Post Office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in the town. Bruff is located near the edges of the Ballyhoura Fáilte tourist area.
Bruff has an active Cultural and Arts Society which organises an Annual Summer Festival. The Bruff festival has been held each of the last four years since it's beginning in 2006 most notably including the Morning Star Rose Competition and the Morning Star Escort Competition (since 2008).The Sean Wall Committee organise Bloomsday in Bruff festival every year on the 16th of June
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
Accommodation is the town is provided in what used to be the Old AIB Bank, known as "The Old Bank", this historic 4* banking town house offers accommodation in luxurious ensuite jacuzzi rooms, ranging from family interconnecting rooms to the serene intimacy of four poster bedrooms over looking peaceful courtyard gardens. Each room possesses its very own distinct individual style that blend period decoration with all of today's modern services and luxuries. See www.theoldbank.ie for more details