The building of the old church of St. Columcille at Newbridge in Co. Leitrim commenced in the year 1856 under the direction of Fr. Keany and was completed in 1863. It replaced a thatched structure located in the same townland of Derrvolanagher near to where the old forge still stands. Newbridge was part of the parish of Innishmagrath up until 1969.

St. Columcille’s church served the spiritual needs of the people of Newbridge until 1972. At that time it was in a state of disrepair to the extent that the roof posed a danger to public safety. In 1970 a decision was made to develop the local hall into a church and the project was completed in November 1972.

The late Fr. Seamus Boyle supervised the work of extension to and renovation of the hall, which commenced in the spring of 1971. The contractor was Philip Fee of Drumshambo. The new church was completed in mid November 1972. The last public mass was celebrated in the old church on the second Sunday of November 1972. The new church was dedicated and blessed by His Lordship the late Dr. Austin Quinn DD on the third Sunday of November 1972.

Go Back