A fascinating glimpse into the life of a local "big house", Morristown Lattin, is provided by Fergus Murphy. Based on his book, "The Mansfields of County Kildare: A Franco-Irish Catholic elite family and their networks 1870-1915", Fergus looks at the Mansfields' social circles in Ireland and France. Of special interest is a a French-language diary kept by Alice Mansfield (née De Férussac) between 1877 and 1887.

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 19th November 2025  8pm 

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

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Long-serving Bord na Mona employee Pat Byrne charts the rise and fall of the iconic Briquette, a staple of Irish households for decades. From the first factory at Lullymore, through the peak years of the 1970s and 1980s to its demise in 2024, the Briquette finally became history due to environmental issues, climate concerns and our changing lifestyles.

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 29 October 2025  8pm 

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

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In this absorbing presentation based on their book of the same name, Clodagh Finn and John Morgan introduce us to some of the  forgotten Irish men and women who joined the Resistance in France and other countries during World War 2. Among them was a fearless woman from Newbridge! Brigid Mary Dewan, known as May, was born in Limerick Lane in 1898 and went on to become a key member of the Resistance while living in Algeria with her husband. 

If you know anything about May and her family, Clodagh and John would love to hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] and we'll pass on your details. 

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 21 August 2025  8pm. (Heritage Week 2025)

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

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Well-known for his regular Curragh History posts, historian Matt McNamara relates a tale of fascinating but challenging times in a talk which explores many aspects of the relationship between Crown and Country, most especially The Curragh.  Newbridge is well-represented too! Matt takes very weighty subjects and weaves a wonderful story absolutely packed with facts, figures and local references that no-one from the Curragh or Newbridge will want to miss. 

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 16 April 2025  8pm.

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

Thanks for listening!

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"The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram 1888-1932."

Local historian Paul Tyrrell talks about his research into this iconic route from the capital out to Blessington. Starting in Terenure, it ran alongside the main road to Blessington and Poulaphouca. 

You can view the tram in action in this YouTube video by pasting this link into your browser. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVfnZjTv-WA

Newbridge Local History Group Talk
Wednesday 19th February 2025
Newbridge Parish Centre 8pm

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group. 

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

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Larry Stanley, Olympian and fabled Kildare GAA footballer, is celebrated in this presentation by Caragh local John Lawler. John's talk is highly recommended if you can catch it 'live' as it is meticulously researched and packed with visual gems. 

Larry's unique story is backgrounded by events in Ireland and Europe and makes for an amazing tale of local, national and international athletic prowess. 

'Larry Stanley - A Sporting Life' by John Lawler
Newbridge Parish Centre
Wed  15th January 2025

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series 2024/2025
recorded in partnership with the Bridge Community Radio Online Team.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2025

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"From Sheep Care to Oral Care: 40 years of Oral B in Newbridge"

Gerry Kierans (ex-CEO of Oral B) presents the fascinating story of how the Oral B factory came to be located on the Green Road, Newbridge, and the impact of its innovative approach to manufacturing and development on the town and wider community.

Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 16 October 2024  8pm.

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2024 

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JJ Wright is on a special journey with Brigid of Kildare, exploring her history, folklore and traditions in Ireland and abroad. Here is one of the early stages of his journey where he joined in the celebrations at Brigid's Well outside Kildare town and in Kildare town itself. 

Recorded in 2022 as the country emerged from Covid-19 restrictions and before the establishment of a new National Bank Holiday honoring Brigid, JJ brings us back to the roots of Brigid's story and the sense of pilgrimage and connection that it can create. 

And of course, Newbridge has a strong connection to Brigid through its patron saint Conleth. Legend has it that Brigid invited him to leave his hermitage at Old Connell and cross the Curragh Plains where he joined her monastic settlement and became the first Bishop of Kildare.

Interviewer: JJ Wright
Editor: Liz Kett

Image: 
From the Brigid sculpture by Annette McCormack at St. Brigid's Garden Well, Tully, Co. Kildare 

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2022

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Newbridge legend Liam Phelan made this presentation to the Newbridge Local History Group in 2014. 

Many thanks to Martin Connelly who recorded the original video. We are delighted to bring you the sound version.

Liam takes us on a journey through time, full of local stories, personalities and history delivered with his trademark wit and energy. Sit back and enjoy the flight!

A Bridge Community Radio Online Production © 2024 

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Professor Frank Barry's presentation on the development of local firms and factories in the early decades of the new Irish State includes the founding of Irish Ropes Ltd and the Newbridge Cutlery Factory. Frank is Professor of International Business & Economic Development at the Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin.

The Q and A section of the talk is not available here for data protection reasons but can be accessed on request. 

Industry and Politics in Independent Ireland 1922 - 1972
The County Kildare Connection
 
Newbridge Local History Group Talk Series
Newbridge Parish Centre 
Wednesday 12 June 2024  8pm.

Recorded and edited by the Bridge Community Radio Online Team in partnership with Newbridge Local History Group.

Contact the Newbridge Local History Group at http://www.newbridgehistory.org/ and check Newbridge Down Memory Lane Facebook page for notices.

Thanks for listening!

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