Patrickswell
(Tobar Phádraig in Irish)
A small town in County Limerick, Ireland. The town is located only 10 km from Limerick city. The town has a main street, with shops, garages, ATMs and a post office. There are several housing estates off the main town with only one major street, The town is located near to the N20/N21 road, which until 2001, ran through the town centre.
A railway line to Adare and Foynes traverses the town, though Patrickswell station is long closed. The station was at one time Patrickswell Junction, with direct Limerick-Cork trains diverging here from the route of trains bound for Foynes or North Kerry and Tralee. Passenger trains first ceased on the Cork direct line, then in the 1970s the North Kerry line closed. Freight trains to Foynes ran until 1999, and technically that branch is still open.
Patrickswell still retains the appearance of a village, despite its population of over 3000 and perhaps more importantly, to my mind, it still holds that flavour of a village in its good natured people and their great since of humour. My name is Ernie McCarthy and my home is in Melbourne, Australia. I have lived here since 1967. I was born in Patrickswell and lived there until my late teens, when I immigrated to London in 1952 and then to Australia in 1967. I retired from the workforce in 1997. My main interests are: Computers, Irish Songs, Music and Vintage Movies ( a relic from the days of the traveling picture shows in Patrickswell ) and of course Patrickswell itself.
Although it is now over fifty years since I have lived in Patrickswell, it is still very much a part of me. From time to time I return and get the opportunity to catch up with old friends and relations and especially school friends.I believe that there are many people from Patrickswell scattered over this earth's broad surface that would perhaps like a reminder of their first home. It is for that reason that I created this page and I invite you to leave a message for me on the guest book.