Newbridge
Saint Colmcille’s Newbridge
There was an eighteenth-century Mass house in Derryvolanagher which continued in use until Fr Bryan Keaney had the first St Colmcille’s Church built in Newbridge in 1864. Fr Keaney, a native of Glenfarne, had also facilitated the building of St Hugh’s Church in Ballinaglera twenty-two years earlier.
Newbridge church area was part of the parish of Inismagrath (Drumkeerin) until it and Doobally were united with Ballinaglera on 23 August 1969. Fr Seamus Boyle, a native of Cootehill, was appointed curate in Doobally at this time. In 197 2 the present St Colmcille’s Church in Newbridge was completed. St Colmcille’s Church was originally the parochial hall before it was converted into a church. It is situated on the northern shore of Lough Allen. The contractor for this work was Philip Fee from Drumshanbo. It was dedicated on 26 November 1972 by Bishop Austin Quinn. Two special features of the church are the circular mosaic of the Virgin and Child and the stained-glass stations of the cross. A grotto, erected by the people of Newbridge and dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, was blessed on 28 June 1992.
Text: Fr Liam kelly
