Clondalkin

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Clondalkin (Irish: Cluain Dolcáin, meaning Dolcan's meadow) is a village and suburb 10 km west of Dublin City, Ireland, situated in the administrative area of South County Dublin. The name also relates to religious parishes.

Clondalkin is home to a well preserved 8th century round tower that acts as a focal point for the area. Acknowledged as one of the oldest and best preserved in the country (despite numerous storms and an explosion which destroyed the local mill in 1856), it is 25.6 metres high and has its original conical cap. [1]

Contents

[edit] History

Image:Round Tower Clondalkin Dublin 1820.jpg
View from 1820
Clondalkin is believed to have been founded by Saint Darnel as a monastic settlement on the River Camac over 1400 years ago, sometime around 600 AD The round tower which still stands in the village centre was built around a century later, as part of the monastery. By the eighth century, Saint Fugillus was Bishop of Clondalkin and striking manuscripts of the gospels were produced, the most famous of these being the Clondalkin mass book which is on display in Karlsruhe Liburg, Germany. Clondalkin was sacked by Vikings from Denmark in 832 AD, and the monastery was burned to the ground. The district remained under Danish control until the Viking defeat by Brian Boru at the famous Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Clondalkin witnessed another historic event during the Norman invasion in 1171 when there was a battle there between Richard de Clare (Strongbow) and the last High King of Ireland Ruairi O Conchúir.

Centuries later, Clondalkin was the scene for some of the fighting in the 1641 Rebellion, when the native Irish rose up against the English occupation. The rebels had taken hold of the town, but it was quickly seized and burned by English soldiers, who then massacred the civilian population[citation needed].

[edit] Today

Modern Clondalkin is a busy satellite town of Dublin, with a population of 43,929 in 2006. There are three Irish-speaking schools in the area. Dunnes Stores provides grocery shopping needs in the Mill Centre, Tesco Ireland in the village and Aldi and Lidl on the Fonthill Rd. and New Nangor Rd. respectively. The village is a base for many small businesses including solicitors, restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, pharmacies amongst others.

Despite recent growth in the area (and the Irish economy in general), areas of North Clondalkin remain relatively poor[citation needed]. These areas include Greenfort, Neilstown, Rowlagh. Unemployment is high in these areas, significantly higher than the national average[citation needed].

[edit] Transport

Clondalkin is served by public transport to the city centre. Dublin Bus provide bus routes include the 51b, 51c, 68, 69, 78a and 151. The Luas Red Line runs from the Red Cow Roundabout park and ride station providing links to the town square in Tallaght and Dublin City Centre, however at peak times it is severely congested[citation needed].

Clondalkin railway station opened on 4 August 1846 and was closed for goods traffic on 9 June 1947.[2]. Commuter trains are available to Heuston station, however both the Luas and the suburban train line are approximately half an hour's walk from Clondalkin Village, and the bus services (apart from the 151 QBC) are frequently delayed by heavy traffic. A new station is due to be built at Fonthill, north of Bawnogue. With links to Dublin Airport, the proposed Dublin Metro (due to be completed by 2015) is expected to will pass through Clondalkin.

Clondalkin village's one-way system is frequently congested by heavy traffic particularly in the early evening, with long tailbacks sometimes stretching along Monastery Road and to the Red Cow roundabout[citation needed].

[edit] Media

The area is served by the Clondalkin Echo and Clondalkin Gazette, the latter being published by Gazette Group Newspapers (part-owned by the Irish Times), and launched in October of 2005[3]. The Clondalkin Gazette has since been discontinued, and is now a free paper.[citation needed]

[edit] Local organisations

  • Clondalkin is home to St Joseph's Pipe band who has been established in the area since 1937.
  • The Clondalkin Youth Band was formed in 1985. It has received many awards including winning two gold and one silver medals at the European Marching Band Championships (2006). It also claimed second prize in the last world marching band competition (2004).
  • Clondalkin Youth Theatre has been performing in the area since the mid-90's, and are based within the village. They are associated with the Irish National Association for Youth Drama.
  • Clondalkin youth group Localise operates out of Clondalkin the main Clondalkin church and is responsible for charity events with the participation of young people.
  • Aras Chrónán operate in the village and there are three all Irish schools, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Colaiste Chillian and Gaelscoil na Camóige.

[edit] Sport

  • Moyle Park Past Pupils FC are the senior soccer side in the village and play in the Leinster Senior League while Neilstown Rangers, past winners of the FAI Junior Cup, are strong in North Clondalkin.
  • Clondalkin Lakers is a local basketball club that has teams playing in Division 1 and Division 3 in the Dublin Men Basketball League. The club plays and trains in Clondalkin Sports and Leisure Complex.
  • Kickboxing is well represented at all levels and ages at the Bushido Martial Arts Academy in Clondalkin village.
  • Rugby union is played at Clondalkin Rugby Club, winners of the 2006 Spencer Cup and 2006 Under 18 Premier League, fielding three senior teams and under 20s, 18s, 16s, 14s, 12s, and 8s. The club was formed in 1974. The U18s team also reached the final of the All-Ireland cup, but lost by a single point.

[edit] References

  1. ^ See archiseek
  2. ^ Clondalkin station. Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  3. ^ See Gazette Group

[edit] See also

ga:Cluain Dolcáin

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