In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Rochfortbridge like this:
ROCHFORT-BRIDGE, formerly called BEGGAR'S-BRIDGE, a post-town, in the parish of CASTLELOST, barony of FARTULLAGH, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 7 ½ miles (S. W.) from Kinnegad, on the road from Dublin to Athlone; containing 27 houses and 171 inhabitants. It is traditionally stated that this place derived its former name from the circumstance of a beggar having died here, in whose pockets was found money sufficient to build the bridge, which crosses a small stream at the eastern extremity of the village. ...
It is a station of the constabulary police, and contains the parochial church and a National school.
Preferred place name from Wikipedia
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Rochfortbridge, in and County Westmeath | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/28513
Date accessed: 10th May 2024
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