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 County of South Dublin. The name also relates to religious parishes.

Clondalkin is home to a well preserved eighth 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]

1 History
2 Today
3 Transport
4 Media
5 Sport
6 Local organisations
7 References
8 See also
9 External links

[edit] History

View from 1820

Clondalkin is believed to have been founded by Saint Mochua 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 home to 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 disadvantaged^{[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.

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. 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] Sport

The towns oldest sports club is the Round Towers GAA Club, which was founded in December 1884. Located on Convent Road, club members have represented Dublin in inter-county competition since the nineteenth century when Tom Errity won All-Ireland Senior Football medals in 1892, 1894, 1898, 1899 and 1902.

Rugby union is played at Clondalkin Rugby Club , Kingswood, winners of the 2006 Spencer Cup and 2006 Under 18 Premier League. The club was formed in 1974 and fields three senior teams and under 20s, 18s, 16s, 14s, 12s, and 8s.

The town's two main association football teams are Moyle Park Past Pupils FC (who play in the Leinster Senior League), and Neilstown Rangers (past winners of the FAI Junior Cup).

Clondalkin Lakers basketball club has teams playing in Division 1 and 3 of the Dublin Men Basketball League, and is based in Clondalkin Sports and Leisure Complex. Kickboxing is represented at all levels and ages at the Bushido Martial Arts Academy in Clondalkin village.

[edit] Local organisations

Community organisations include a local Toastmasters International^[4], an Order of Malta branch and several youth groups - including Clondalkin Youth Theatre which is associated with the Irish National Association for Youth Drama.

The town is also home to St Joseph's Pipe band (established in 1937), and the Clondalkin Youth Band. The latter has won two golds and one silver medal at the European Marching Band Championships (2006), and second prize in the World Marching Band Competition (2004).

Aras Chrónán operates in the village and there are three all Irish schools, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, Colaiste Chillian and Gaelscoil na Camóige.

Leinster Lions basketball team is located in Moyle Park and cater for girls of all ages.