Patrickswell 4.16

Patrickswell, historically known as Toberpatrick, is a small town in County Limerick, Ireland. It is primarily a commuter village for people working in Limerick, particularly the nearby industrial suburb of Raheen.EtymologyThe name refers to Saint Patrick and there is a small hand pump/well in the main street; Microsoft mappoint and some other programs call the village St. Patrick's Well or St. Patrickswell.OverviewPatrickswell has a main street, with shops, garages, ATMs and a post office. The town is located only 10 km from Limerick city, and as a result relies on the city and its suburbs for secondary schools, shops, banks and other facilities.There are several housing estates (Marian Park, Lisheen Park, Belgard Grove Sycamore Heights and Laurel Park) off the main street and road to Clarina. The latter road has strip development north from Patrickswell all the way to Clarina and the N69 road. As a dormitory town with only one major street, Patrickswell retains the appearance of a village, despite its population of over 3000.Location and transportThe town is located near to the N20/N21 road, which until Patrickswell was bypassed in 2001, ran through the town centre. This road is now the R526 from west of the town to Limerick city. The town can be accessed at either end from the N20 junction for Limerick Racecourse, or the N20/N21 junction further west (where the R526 commences).