Brónach

Saint Brónach (sometimes anglicised to Bronagh) was a 6th-century holy woman from Ireland, the reputed founder and patron saint of Cell Brónche ("church of Brónach"), now Kilbroney, in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Life A disciple of Saint Patrick, Brónach built a refuge for sailors who were shipwrecked in Carlingford Lough. The ringing of Bronach’s bell warned of a rising storm on the dangerous waters of the Lough. About 150 years ago a storm brought down a large old oak tree in the Kilbroney churchyard, and in its branches was found a 10th-century bell. The bell is now in the local church in Rostrevor.

Lying in Glenn Sechis, a mountain valley in County Down (near Rostrevor), Cell Brónche lay at some distance from the major political centres of the region.

Legacy There is a stained glass window depicting Bronach in All Saints Church, Ballymena.

Several places in Rostrevor are named in tribute to Brónach, referencing either Bronagh or Kilbroney. These include the local GAA club St Bronaghʼs GAA, Kilbroney Park, Kilbroney Integrated Primary School, St. Bronagh’s Primary School, and Kilbroney Road.