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Dromcolliher

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Dromcollogher
Drom Collachair
Small Town
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCounty Limerick
Population
 (2006)
 • Rural
984
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceR350220

Dromcollogher (Irish: Drom Collachair) is a small town located at the crossroads of the R522 and R515 regional roads in the west of County Limerick, Ireland. It is part of the parish of Dromcollogher-Broadford (previously known as Killagholehane). It is also very close to the boundary of north County Cork.

There are many variations of 'Drom'. The locals spell it Dromcollogher, but Drumcolloher, Dromcolloher, Drumcullogher, and numerous other variations can be found. Dromcolliher is the version adopted by the Ordnance Survey, and postal authorities.

Since 1962, the town has been home to the Irish Dresden pottery factory, which closed its doors in April 2009 but re-opened in June 2015.

History

It was first mentioned in the 1160, in "The Book of Leinster". Other historical records include references in "Westropp" (1201), Munster Journal (1751), and the population was recorded as 658 in 1831.

It is classed a medieval town by Limerick County Council (Local Governing Body), and has a list of protected structures under the 'County Development Plan'. These include the facades of Aherne's and O'Kelly's, the local creamery, and courthouse, as well as two churches, Killagholehane and St. Timothys (now known as St. Bartholomews).

The modern church was built in 1824, by Fr. Micheal Fitzgerald, who purchased the land from a local landowner. It was restored several times, but was given a dramatic overhaul in the late 1980s/early 1990s by Healy and Partners Architects, Limerick.

Dromcollogher was one of the starting points for the Irish Co-Op Movement, with the first Co-Operative creamery being set up here in 1889 on the initiative of Horace Plunkett. The listed building has since been restored, and is now the National Dairy Cooperative Museum. Percy French, the renowned Irish Composer, once stayed here and composed the song "There's Only One Street In Dromcollogher". This is in fact untrue as there are many streets in Dromcolligher and if you ask anyone from the area they will be proud to tell you so.

Dromcollogher Burning

Aftermath of the fire

On 5 September 1926, a timber barn being used as a temporary cinema in Dromcollogher caught fire when a candle ignited a reel of Nitrate film stock. Forty-eight people died in this tragedy, always known locally as the Dromcollogher Burning; forty-six of them are buried in a large grave in the grounds of the local church. It remained the worst known fire disaster in Irish history until the Betelgeuse incident in 1979 and the Stardust disaster in 1981, which claimed fifty and forty-eight lives respectively.

Sport

Dromcollogher-Broadford are the current Co. Limerick Junior A Hurlers Champions on beating Na Pairsaigh in the final, on a scoreline 1-16 to 4-06, played in Bruff, it is the second one since Dromcollogher/ Broadford joined forces and the first time was back in 1993. In 2008 Drom/Broadford GAA club won their first and only Munster Senior Club Football Championship defeating Kilmurry-Ibrackane from Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, on a scoreline of 0-6 to 0-5. The only other team from Limerick to win the championship was Thomond College in 1977.

Festivals

The Dromcollogher Carnival

Every year in early July the town comes alive with one of the best street festivals in Co Limerick. With activities for young and old, people keep coming back year after year. The festival has been running for over 74 years and is always adding new events. Activities range from a 4 km run, to a Harley Davidson parade, to live street bands.

See also

Wikiquote has quotations related to Dromcolliher.
  • [1] Information on Dromcollogher Community Projects
  • [2] Local online News for Dromcollogher-Broadford
  • [3] Book written on the history of Dromcollogher from 1160 to 2006 2nd ed. (Source Dromcollogher Community Enterprises/Ted Bradley original book by Drom Col Choille le Cheile)
  • [4] Photographs from the National Dairy Cooperative Museum Dromcollogher, if you are going to use these please acknowledge original source.
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