download the fingal dublin heritage guide

VisitDiscover

&

CastlesTowersLighthousesMuseumsChurchesParks & GardensEstuaries & Islandsand more...

www.fingaldublin.ie

CastlesTowersLighthousesMuseumsChurchesParks & GardensEstuaries & Islandsand more...

www.fingaldublin.ie

Heritage

Revised Covers.indd 2 16/07/2009 14:19:14

www.fingaldublin.ie2

The Fingal Dublin region is renowned for its old world charmand rich heritage. The region derives its name from the Gaelicwords 'Fine Gall' meaning 'land of the fair haired stranger' inreference to the Vikings who settled in the area from the 8thCentury onwards. In fact at the Battle of Clontarf, during whichthe Irish Kings famously defeated the Viking invaders, the Vikingflag was captured and the black raven featured on the flagremains the symbol of Fingal today.

Aspects of Fingal Dublin's rich heritage and long history areencapsulated in the many famous buildings, churches, castles,great houses and archaeological sites located in the area. Thisguide reflects the wealth of monuments, some dating as far backas 5,000 years, spanning various periods of Fingal Dublin'shistory from Christian civilizations and the Viking occupation tothe diversity of Anglo-Irish history through to modern day FingalDublin.

Also included in the guide are details of Fingal's culturalheritage such as crafts, literature and music and its abundantnatural heritage from its fine regional parks, beaches and fishingports to its offshore islands estuaries, rivers and canals.

The Heritage Guide is laid out geographically, places of interestare clustered together.

Front cover image; Lusk Tower

Welcome toFingal Dublin

www.fingaldublin.ie 3

Page Contents1 Map3 Swords5 Howth8 Malahide11 Donabate/Portrane13 Lusk/Rush & Loughshinny15 Skerries18 Balbriggan20 Fingal Rural Villages22 Dublin 15

For more information on this or any other activity in the Fingal Area please contact

Fingal TourismMainscourt, Main Street,Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.

Tel: +353 1 840 0077Email: [email protected]: www.fingaldublin.ie

Properties denoted by “The Parks of Fingal” aremanaged by Fingal County Council

Fingal County CouncilParks Division, 1st Floor, County Hall,Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.

Tel: +353 1 8905000Web: www.fingalcoco.ie

Please note there are admission charges to many of the siteslisted in the guide. Fingal Tourism is supported by Fingal CountyCouncil and FAS. Photographs by courtesy of Community,Culture and Sports Dept. of Fingal County Council’.

Photographs by courtesy of Fingal County Council, SwordsCamera Club and Fingal Tourism members.


Swords CastleMain Street, Swords,Fingal, Co DublinTel: +353 1 8400891Located in the centre of theancient town Swords Castle is aformer residence of the MedievalArchbishop of Dublin. Theextensive complex of buildings isin the form of a rough pentagonof 0.5 hectares and is enclosedby a perimeter wall of 260metres. The castle wasconstructed in a piecemeal

fashion over a period of 400 years and became one of the eightmanorial estates belonging to the medieval Archbishops of Dublin.Parliaments are even said to have been held in the great hall of theCastle. Swords Castle is the only fortified residence of the Archbishopof Dublin to survive in a reasonable state of preservation. The Castle iscurrently under restoration, the work is being carried out by FingalCounty Council and FAS.

OPENING TIMESMonday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 12 pm / 1pm - 4pmTuesday closed. Friday 10am - 12pm / 1.00pm - 3.00pmClosed on weekends • Admission Free

Swords

The town was founded in 560AD around a well associated with St.Colmcille. The well was to give Swords its name, "Sord" being theGaelic for "pure". It is said that as the old town of 'Sord' remained tothe west of the Ward River a new town of 'Sord' grew to the east, theanglicized name for the whole area became "Swords" - thetwo 'Sord'

Bus: Routes from city centre - 33, 33B, 41, 41C, 43. No. 102 bus from the Airport and Malahide Village.

By car: two Swords exits from M1 - one to the north and one to the south(at the Airport) - to R132. Follow directions to Swords take Swords exit at Malahide Roundabout.

TO GET TO SWORDS


St. Columba'sChurch and Belfry,SwordsThe only remaining relic of amedieval church is its Belfrywhich is open to the public insummertime, when fine daysafford the visitor a view of fourcounties from the tower’s height.The original church is said tohave fallen into ruin sometime in

the seventeenth century. The new church of early Gothic style wasbuilt in 1811 on the foundations of the old.

St Colmcille's Well,SwordsThe Well, consecrated by StColmcille in 560 A.D., marks theorigin of Swords as it gives thetown its name "Sord" meaning"pure". The water in Swords isrenowned for its curativeproperties for sore eyes.

Swords HistoricalSocietyCarnegie Library, North Street,Swords, Fingal, Co. DublinTel : +353 1 8400080email: [email protected]:www.irishroots.netThe Carnegie Library was built in1909 by a local library committeewith funding from the Carnegie

Trust. It has served various community groups over the years but ceased tobe a Library in 1986. It is now home to the Swords Historical Society andFingal Genealogy, part of the Irish Family History Foundation, the groupoffers a genealogical research service for the Fingal Dublin area. Openweekdays 1-4.30p.m.

Ward RiverValley ParkWoodland habitats, wetlands androlling grassland, punctuated byarchaeological remains, comprisethis lovely linear 89ha park alongthe Ward river valley. Features ofparticular interest include someBronze Age fortifications and theremains of an Italian garden. There

are numerous viewing points, picnic sites, children’s playground and allweather pitch within the park’s boundaries.


Howth CastleHowth Demesne, Howth,Fingal, Co. Dublin.The present castle is said to bethe third on the site, the oldestpart, including the keep and gatetower, dates from about the mid-15th century. Through thecenturies there have been variousadditions and alterations. Aruined chapel, originally used as aprivate place of worship for thefamily, is found adjacent to thecastle, and this served as thelocal protestant church during the

18th century. The castle is the private home of the St Lawrence familybut the famous rhododendron gardens are open to the public.

Howth Peninsula

The Howth Peninsula, with its picturesque harbour and lighthouse,walks, martello towers, and portal tomb, offers magnificent panoramasover Dublin Bay. In pre-Christian times the Celtic tribes called thispeninsula ‘Ben Edar’ - the mountain or hill of Edar - possibly after achieftain of the Tuatha De Danann. There has also been speculationthat the name Benn na Edar, has an environmental origin meaning‘hills of the oaks’. It was the Danes, however who first used the name‘hoved’ meaning head, and over the years this came to be Howth.

The Howth Peninsula is largely protected under the Howth SAAO, thisincludes Ireland's Eye (28 hectares), the heathland, woods, cliffs andwooded residential areas of the south-eastern half of the peninsula(519 hectares) and a 21 kilometre network of rights of-way as publicfootpaths.

By car: R105 from City Centre to Howth. From M1 follow Route R132 to Swords then R106 through Malahide and Portmarnock. At Sutton Cross turn left onto Howth Road (route R105). Howth Castle and the Transport Museum on the outskirts of Howth Village.The Bailey Lighthouseis By Bus: No 31 from Lower Abbey Street to.

By Train: DART from city centre to Howth, museum 800yds from station to Howth Demesne.

TO GET TO HOWTH


National TransportMuseum Heritage Depot, HowthDemesne, Howth,Fingal, Co Dublin.Tel: +353 1 8480831www.nationaltransportmuseum.orgThis collection is Ireland's onlycomprehensive assembly of publicand commercial road transport.More than a century separates theoldest of the sixty exhibits (1883)

from the newest, recording the Golden Age of commercial vehicles.Many are by extinct makers, several are rare or unique, and some aresole survivors of once well known types. The main exhibits are backedby a display of small artefacts and photographs. You will beastonished at the richness and scope of this heritage fleet and itsuncanny ability to bring the past back to life.

OPENING TIMESSeptember - May: Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 2-5pmJune, July & August 10am - 5pm. Closed Christmas Day. Out ofhours contact William Kelly Tel: +353 1 832 0427

Ye Olde Hurdy-Gurdy Museum ofVintage RadioMartello Tower, Howth,Fingal, Co Dublin.Entrance opposite “The AbbeyTavern”, Abbey Street. Ye OldeHurdy Gurdy Museum of VintageRadio is located in the MartelloTower overlooking the harbour inHowth, Co. Dublin. The museum

opened, in the recently restored tower, in 2003. Pat Herbert is thecurator, and his collection of old radios, music boxes, gramophonesand other related items are on exhibit. Pat has been collecting forforty years and takes great pride and pleasure in showing visitorsaround this gem of a museum

OPENING TIMESOpen to the public 7 days a week May to October 11am – 5pm.Admission €5 For bookings contact: Pat Herbert 086-8154189.


The Portal Dolmen- Howth DemesneThe portal dolmen, known locallyas Aideen’s Grave, consists ofseveral blocks of quartz. The roof-stone or capstone (estimated toweigh over 90 tons) wouldoriginally have been poised on thejambs; in this case the capstonehas collapsed. The site is said todate to 2,500 BC when it waspossibly used as a sepulchral

monument in honour of a departed chieftain or King and to protectthe contents of his tomb. Another legend suggests the monument waserected in honour of Aideen, the daughter of Aengus of Ben Edar, whodied of a broken heart.

Baily Lighthouse,HowthThe historic Baily Lighthouse,built in 1814, overlooks DublinBay and enjoys magnificent viewsof the coastline stretching fromthe Dublin Mountains to theMourne Mountains. Thelighthouse is one of six for whichpermission was granted to SirRobert Reading to build aroundthe Irish coast. The lighthousewas manned until March 1997when it became automatic.

Ireland’s Eye IslandLying just north of Howth Harbourthe island can be reached by boatfrom the East Pier during thesummer months. It is uninhabited,its only buildings are a MartelloTower and the little ruined churchsaid to have been founded in thesixth century. During the earlysummer months the place isvibrantly alive with the sights andsounds of breeding seabirds.

Howth HarbourBuilt between 1807 and 1812 toserve as the official mail packetstation in Dublin Howth Harbourwas visited by King George IV in1821, his footprint is still visibleat the end of the West Pier. In1914 the Asgard, owned byErskine Childers, sailed intoHowth laden with arms for thenationalist uprising. There's a fine

lighthouse at the end of the East Pier.


Martello TowersMartello towers are small defensive forts built during the 19th century,from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards. They stand up to 40feet (12m) high (with two floors) and typically had a garrison of oneofficer and 15-25 men. Their round structure and thick walls of solidmasonry made them resistant to cannon fire, while their height madethem an ideal platform for a single heavy artillery piece, mounted onthe flat roof and able to traverse a 360° arc. There are twelve suchtowers along the Fingal Dublin coastline (see map for locations), eachin line of sight of each other, providing the ability to communicatewith one another, or warn of any incoming attacks.

Portmarnock

Baldoyle Bay extends from Howth’s West Pier to just belowPortmarnock village and is of high conservation importance. The innerestuarine section is a Statutory Nature Reserve and is designated as awetland of international importance. Two rivers run into the estuaryone of which is the Sluice River. The Sluice River Marsh is a relativelyintact freshwater marsh, a habitat that is now rare in Co Dublin.Views of Dublin Bay and Lambay Island are stunning from the silverstrand at Portmarnock. There’s a sculpture to commemorate theAustralian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith's departure from the beachto cross the Atlantic in his aircraft the Southern Cross.


Malahide

A pretty seaside town Malahide is designated a Heritage Town. Thereare many activities available to visitors, ranging from an ancient Castleto a modern Marina. The town is renowned for its beauty and has wonnumerous national and international awards including the Tidy TownNational Winner Award and the European Entente Florale Award.Paddy's Hill, overlooking Malahide Estuary, is the earliest evidence wehave of a habitation site in the area c.6000 B.C. Tradition has it thatSt. Patrick visited the locality in 432 A.D. while the Vikings landed in795 A.D. McTurkill, the last Danish King of Dublin, retired toMalahide in 1171, from whom the Normans took over in 1185. Formore info check out www.malahideheritage.com

By Train: northbound DART and suburban trains from city centre to Malahide.By Bus: No 42 from Beresford Place (near Busaras) to Malahide. No. 102

bus from the Airport and Swords to Malahide Village. By car, follow the M1 to Swords, take the Malahide exit at the Malahide roundabout , follow route R106 to Malahide. MalahideCastle is a 15 mins walk from Malahide Train station. St. Doulagh's Church is located on the Malahide Road, R107 towards Dublin

TO GET TO MALAHIDE

Talbot Botanic GardenWithin Malahide Demesne lie the 10 hectare Talbot Botanic Gardens,including a 2 hectare Walled Garden with seven glasshouses. Thegardens are home to over 5,000 different species of plants and boasta fine collection of Southern Hemishere plants, with a particularemphasis on Australasian and Chilean species, along with the nationalcollection of the genus Olearia. The gardens, as they exist today, werelargely created by Lord Milo Talbot between 1948 and 1973. Fordetails tel +353 1 816 9914

Malahide DemesneThe 109ha park features natural rolling parkland sensitively enhanced bypleasant walks, play and picnic areas, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, 9-hole golfcourse and a pitch and putt course.


Malahide CastleMalahide, Fingal, Co DublinTelephone: +353 1 846 2184 Fax: +353 1 846 [email protected] Website:www.malahidecastle.comSet on 100 hectares of parkland in Malahide the castle was established inthe late 12th Century and from that time until 1975 was home to theTalbot family. The oldest part of the present castle is a 14th century towerhouse. The great hall was added in 1475 with subsequent additionsundertaken from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The house is furnishedwith beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irishportrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery of Ireland. The principalrooms open to the public include; The Oak Room, The Drawing Rooms, TheLibrary, The Nursery, The Bedrooms and The Great Hall where the history ofthe Talbot family is recorded with portraits of generations of the familytelling their own version of Ireland's stormy history.

OPENING TIMESJanuary to December Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pmApril to September. Sunday & Public Holidays 10am to 5pmOctober to March. Sunday & Public Holidays 11am to 5pmClosed for Tours 12.45pm to 2pm.Restaurant remains open during Lunch.

FACILITIES• Private banquets held on request in the 15th Century Great Hall

for 30 - 70 people• Craft Shop• Coach, bus and car parking available• Tours available by audio guide in French, German,

Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Japanese• Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Telephone +353 1 84630


Tara’s PalaceMalahide Castle Demesne,Malahide, Fingal, Co DublinTel +353 1 846 3779Fax +353 1 8463723Meticulously constructed, this dollshouse has taken over a decade tocomplete and work is still ongoing.Designed and built to one-twelfth

scale, it encapsulates the grandeur and elegance of Ireland's three great18th Century Mansions; Castletown House, Leinster House and Carton.Paintings by leading Irish Artists and miniature furnishing masterpiecesadorn the State Rooms and private apartments. The displays areaugmented and supported by a collection of dolls, antique toys and otherdolls houses Entry fees go to the support of children’s charities in Irelandthrough Tara’s Palace Trust.

OPENING TIMESApril – September. Closed Monday.Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pm. Closed for lunch 1-2pm. Sunday 1- 4.45pm.

FACILITIESsame as Malahide Castle

St. Doulagh'sChurch & Well,KinsealyNear Malahide in Kinsealy is St.Doulagh's Church which occupiesthe site of a 7th century monasticsettlement founded by St.Doulagh. Built in the 12thcentury, the church has manycharacteristics of early Saxon

churches and the original walls are three feet thick. There are 7apartments altogether in the church, including a leper's window,through which the unfortunate victim was permitted to receive HolyCommunion and a penitential cell where the incumbent languisheduntil he changed his ways.


The Fry ModelRailwayMalahide Demesne, Malahide,Fingal, Co. Dublin.Tel: +353 1 846 3779Fax: +353 1 846 3723Email: [email protected] Web: www.visitdublin.com/attractionsThe Fry Model Railway is aunique collection of handmademodels of Irish trains, from the

beginning of rail travel to modern times. One of the world's largestminiature railways, the exhibition is unique in that it is a workingrailway covering an area of 2,500 sq. feet. Situated in the beautifulgrounds of Malahide Castle, this delightful collection is a treat forrailway enthusiasts, children and adults alike. The beautifullyengineered models are from a collection originally built up in the1920's and 1930's by Cyril Fry, a railway engineer and draughtsman,with each piece assembled with the finest attention to detail.

OPENING TIMESApril – September. Closed Monday. Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4.30pm. Closed for lunch 1-2pm. Sunday 1- 4.45pm.

FACILITIESsame as Malahide Castle

Broadmeadow EstuaryAt Malahide where the Broadmeadow River meets the Irish Sea is theBroadmeadow Estuary where the sea's incursions have created a lakeand wetlands with a rich habitat for a huge variety of sea birds,including a bevy of up to 300 swans, and other flora and fauna.


Newbridge HouseNewbridge Demesne, Donabate, Fingal, Co DublinTel: +353 1 8436534 Fax: +353 1 8436535 email:[email protected] House is a fine Georgian mansion built by ArchbishopCharles Cobbe in 1736. The house remained with the Cobbe familyfor almost 250 years and is now owned by Fingal County Council. In aunique agreement the Cobbe Family has provided, on loan to theCouncil, the original furniture, pictures and other works of art ondisplay in the ground floor rooms of the house. An extensiveprogramme of renovation, reconstruction and restoration of the housein 1986 has returned it to its 18th Century grandeur. The finest roomin the house is the Red Drawing Room featuring a beautiful whitemarble chimney piece, original plaster ceiling, carpet, curtains, andwallpaper from the late 18th century. Other rooms open to the publicinclude the Dining Room, Library, Sculpture Gallery and the Museumof Curiosities. The latter features many artefacts collected by theCobbe Family on their travels throughout the world.

Donabate/Portrane

All along the Fingal coastal corridor are small picturesque villages andtowns. The Donabate Portrane Peninsula was colonised by the Danesin the 9th century until they were defeated by the Normans c. 1170.As well as the political upheaval caused by the Norman invasion therewas also great economic and social change, a virile race and greatbuilders they saturated their conquered lands with defensive castles orRomans keeps.

By Bus: No. 33B from Eden Quay to Donabate village.By Trains: Northbound suburban trains from City Centre stations. By car: From M1 take Donabate exit and follow signposts to Newbridge

House and Donabate

TO GET TO DONABATE


OPENING TIMESTuesday - Saturday 10am - 1pm / 2pm - 5pmSunday and Bank Holidays 12pm - 6pmOctober - March - Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays 2pm - 5pmThe house and farm are closed on Mondays (except bank holidays)

FACILITIES• Coach and car parking available• Tours available• Coffee Shop

NewbridgeTraditional FarmDonabate, Fingal,County DublinFor info tel +353 1 843 6064A 19th century farm was virtuallyan independent and selfsupporting entity, labour wascheap and in great supply,animals were kept and crops weregrown for food. Newbridge

Demesne Traditional Farm is a museum of 19th century rural lifeinstalled in the picturesque old buildings around the 18th centurycourtyard. On display are old breeds of farm animals, the machineryand the farming techniques which were part and parcel of Irishfarming life in the last century.

OPENING TIMESOpen: April - SeptemberTuesday to Friday 10am - 1pm / 2pm - 5pmSunday and Bank Holidays 2pm - 6pm

Newbridge DemesneDonabate, Fingal, County Dublin.For info tel +353 1 843 6064One of the finest examples of an 18th century landscape the extensive145 hectare park includes a restored Victorian style Kitchen Garden, awildlife and deer park, playing, picnic and walking areas, and a 19thCentury working farm.


Newbridge WalledKitchen GardenThe 5.5 acre Walled KitchenGarden contains a Rose Walk,herbaceous border, twoglasshouses and an extensivecollection of fruit with a particularemphasis on old apple varietiesand vegetables.

Stella’s TowerStella’s Tower, Portrane, is aNorman Peel Tower whichconsists of an intact vaultedtower-house, with an unusualprotecting porch, early brickchimney, and stair tower. It iscalled ‘Stella’s Tower’ or ‘Stella’sRest’ because it is said thatJonathan Swift’s friend, Stella,lived here for a time in 1712.

RogerstownEstuaryEmbracing the peninsula betweenPortrane and Donabate theestuary is an important link in thechain of estuaries on the eastcoast. This enchanting backwateris a statutory Nature Reserve anda candidate Special Area ofConservation. It supports a hugestore of wildlife

Lambay IslandLambay Island, opposite Portrane,has had a chequered history, StColmcille built a monastery there,it was occupied by the Vikings,owned by the church, and aprison camp. There are twomonuments located on the islanda late transitional castle and alarge adjacent rectangularearthwork The Baring family, thefamous British Banking family,

bought the island in 1904. The island is still privately owned and isnoted for its deer, seals and as a bird sanctuary.


Lusk Round TowerLusk, Co. Dublin.Tel No: +353 1 8331618 /+353 1 8437285 Lusk Heritage Centre comprisesof a 9th century round tower, amedieval belfry and a 19thcentury church. They form a unit,although they were built over aperiod of almost a thousandyears. The belfry now houses an

exhibition on Lusk and medieval churches of North County Dublin andalso the magnificent 16th century effigy tomb of Sir ChristopherBarnewall and his wife Marion Sharl.

Lusk

The Place now known as Lusk can be traced back, through old talesand legends, to at least the last quarter of the first century B.C.It was the site of an important sanctuary dedicated to the Celtic sun-god Lugh, and was called Lugh-Lochta Loga. With a rich and variedlandscape Lusk has maintained a unique village atmosphere.

By Bus: No. 33B from Eden Quay to Donabate village.By Train: Northbound suburban trains from City Centre stations. By car: From M1 take Donabate exit and follow signposts to Newbridge

House and Donabate

TO GET TO LUSK


Rush

By Bus: No. 33 from Abbey Street or Swords to Skerries.By Trains: Suburban trains to Rush / Lusk Train StationBy car: From MI take Skerries exit north of Swords follows signs to

Rush via Lusk.

TO GET TO RUSH

By car: From MI take Skerries exit north of Swords follows signs toLoughshinny via Lusk and Rush.

TO GET TO LOUGHSHINNY

At the eastern end of Rush Village is a small harbour which was builtin the reign of James 2nd. Rush is mentioned by Hollinshed as beingone of the chief haven towns of Ireland, and in more recent times wascelebrated for its fisheries. In Kenure Park and Graveyard there a ruinof a celtic church which is thickly covered by ivy. On theother side of Rush, at Whitestown, a legend connects the church ruinswith French navigators, who may have been crusaders, driven by stressof weather off their course and in danger of perishing, they made avow to St. Maur, greatly venerated in France, that if ever they escapeddestruction, they would build a Chapel in his honour on the point ofland they first touched. This happened to be Rogerstown, andforthwith the Chapel was built and dedicated to St. Maur. The oldChurch of Anglo- Norman date is located in the centre of a burialground, thickly set with obscure tombstones and bristly with nettles.The Fingal Arts Centre in Rush is based in an 18th century churchand is well worth a visit.

Loughshinny

Loughshinny is regarded as perhaps the very best natural situation for aharbour along the coast of Leinster. The area may even have a Romanconnection. Near Loughshinny, on the headland of Drumanagh, there arethe remains of the largest promontory fort in Ireland, consisting of 16hectares protected on three sides by sheer cliffs above the sea and on thewestern side by huge ramparts stretching the entire width of the site. Therehas been some speculation as to whether the Romans, from Britain, mighthave settled at Drumanagh, artefacts of Roman origin have been found onthe site. The settlement is also described in extraordinary details in the‘Táin’ one of the earliest pieces of Irish mythological literature.


Baldongan Church,SkerriesAt the top of a hill overlookingLoughshinny stands the ruins of aMedieval church. The church andtower dedicated to the "Sweetmother of God" is said to havebeen originally built by theKnights Templar. A castle on thesite was very much extended andfortified over the centuries and by

the mid 17th century took on a formidable appearance covering aboutthree times the area of the present church. The castle was sacked inJune 1642 during the Confederacy Wars when two of the towers wereblown up. The castle was never repaired and over the intervening yearsfell gradually into ruins, very little of which now exists.

Skerries

By Bus: 33 bus from Abbey StreetSkerries via: Lusk. By Bus - No. 33 from Eden Quay or Swords to Skerries.

By Train: Suburban trains to Skerries Train Station. Skerries Mills is a 5 min walk from Train Station. For Baldongan Castle turn right from Skerries Mills Car Park continue straight past Skerries Golf Club to Baldongan crossroads, castle ruins on the left.

By Bus: 33 bus from Abbey StreetThe route is signposted from Balbriggan Town Centre. Bus No. 33 from EdenQuay in Dublin travels via Skerries and passes under the "Lady's Stairs" twomiles north of Skerries The "Lady Stairs" is a pedestrian footbridge over the roadand railway line, which provides access to the Demesne.

TO GET TO SKERRIES

TO GET TO ARDGILLIAN

Christianity is said to have been brought to Ireland when St. Patricklanded in 432 AD. In 1256 a monastery from St Patrick's Island wasmoved to the mainland, this move created the monastery ofHolmpatrick and in time the monastery joined up with the fishingvillage of Skerries to form the heart of the town, as we know it. Thetown got its name from the Vikings so it is safe to assume that theVikings recognised its advantages as harbour, and settled in the area.


Skerries MillsSkerries, Fingal, County DublinTel + 353 1 8495208Fax: +353 1 8495213Email: [email protected]: www.skerriesmills.orgThe Mill complex comprises awatermill, 5-sail windmill, 4-sailwindmill and associated millraces, mill pond and wetlands.The history of the mills can be

traced to the 16th century. A bakery was also established on the siteby 1840. All three mills have been restored to working order by F.Á.S.and Fingal County Council and are open to visitors throughout theyear. The mills in Skerries demonstrate an efficient and clean use ofwater and wind power and are a rare survival of 17th, 18th and 19thcentury industrial history. Indoors: Visitors can see how the watermillworks and view exhibits of milling equipment; mill stones, elevators,shakers, blowers, winnowers. Bright and sunlit tea-rooms and a wellstocked craft shop are located on the first floor of the four-storeywatermill building. Outdoors: A mill race runs from the mill pondalong the edge of the cornfield to turn the waterwheel. Dominating thelandscape however, are the two windmills, the 5-sail Great Windmill ofSkerries and the older thatched 4-sail mill.

OPENING TIMES1st April -30th September 10am – 10pm daily1 October - 31 March 10.30-16.30 daily Closed: 24th – 27th December & 31st Dec – 1st January

FACILITIESGuided tours • Coach & car park • Craft ShopThe Watermill Cafe • Exhibition space

Ardgillian CastleArdgillan Demesne, Skerries, Fingal,Co. Dublin.Tel: +353 1 8492212Fax: +353 1 8492194Ardgillan Demesne is situated onthe elevated coastline betweenBalbriggan and Skerries. Althoughreferred to as a castle, theresidence at Ardgillan is a largecountry-style house withcastellated embellishments.Originally named 'Prospect' thecentral section was built in 1738by Robert Taylor, Dean of Clonfert,with the west and east wingsadded in the late 1700's. Thefamily resided here from 1737


until 1960. The castle was restored by FAS and the ground floorrooms and kitchens are open to visitors for guided tours relivingVictorian splendour. Upstairs the bedrooms are used for classes andexhibitions including a permanent and unique exhibition of the 'DownSurvey' - an exhibition of maps produced by a team of 1,000surveyors in 1654 mapping for the first time the complete survey ofIreland. A full programme of visiting exhibitions takes place on anannual basis.

OPENING TIMESApril - Sept Tue - Sun & pub Hols 11.00- 18.00July / August - Open daily 11.00 - 18.00Oct - Mar Tue - Sun & Pub Hols 11.00 - 16.30

FACILITIESMeeting and exhibition facilities available. • Tours availableCoach and car parking available • Tea Rooms

Ardgillian DemesneSkerries, Fingal, Co. Dublin.Tel: +353 1 8492212Fax: +353 1 8492194This 81ha park, commandingviews of the Fingal coast, is amixture of wild woodland walks,sheltered picnic areas, a fragrantRose Garden, the Nationalcollection of Potentillas, asplendid Victorian Conservatory

and a walled garden known as Ardgillan Victorian Gardens.

Ardgillan Victorian GardensTel: +353 1 8492324The walled garden is subdivided into five distinct sections for thegrowing of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. It contains a mostunusual Fruit Alcove wall of 20 alcoves specifically for the growing oftender fruits such as peaches, nectarines and pears.


Islands off Skerries -St Patrick's IslandSt Patrick is said to have founded amonastery here, which flourished untilthe Vikings raided. In 1148 a synodwas held on the island to discussmatters of church reform and in 1220the Archbishop of Dublin issued adirective to move the Monastery to themainland as the island was found tobe too inconvenient.

Shenicks IslandThis, the most southerly of theSkerries Islands, has a Martellotower that has a visible linkbetween the Towers on Red Islandand Drumanagh. Since 1987 theisland has become a wildlifereserve.

Red IslandRed Island, despite its name, isno longer an island. Now it is arocky headland connected to themainland by a roadway (isthmus),which forms part of the quay wallof the harbour. A Martello Towerstands on the island. Colt Islandis a small island off Red Island.

RockabillLighthouseFour miles north-east of Skerriesis the islet of Rockabill, which,with its lighthouse built in 1860,can be viewed from all parts ofthe coast of Fingal. It is thelargest breeding site in Europe forthe now rare Roseate Tern. Apermitis required to visitRockabill.


Balbriggan LighthouseThe mid eighteenth Century lighthouse, providing a sea light forvessels navigating of the east pier of Balbriggan harbour, an early castiron walkway surrounds the lantern and the lighthouse was unique inhaving a clergyman Rev George Hamilton as its first light keeper.

Balbriggan

By Car: from MI take Balbriggan exit & follow signs to Balbriggan.By Bus: No. 33 from Eden Quay, Dublin City Centre or Swords to Balbriggan.By Train: Suburban trains from Dublin city centre to Balbriggan

TO GET TO BALBRIGGAN

The oldest known verified site in the area is in the townland ofBremore (from the Irish Big Hills) - situated on the coast just north ofthe town. According to its records, Lore has it its name was derivedfrom five mounds, locally known as the Fairy Mounds, these moundswere surveyed in 1960 and have been identified as passage graves ofthe same era as Newgrange (around 2500 BC).

The expansion of the town owes much to the foresight and drive of theHamilton family, major landowners in the area, they built BalbrigganHarbour (in 1763), the inner dock (in 1829) and St. George's Churchof Ireland Church in 1813.

The Railway Viaduct, a strong visual landmark in Balbriggan, was builtin 1844, as part of the Dublin to Drogheda railway.


Bremore CastleThe story of Bremore began in the6th Century with St. Molaga ,who, having joined thepriesthood, was driven out ofIreland, by the druids, to Waleswhere he became a beekeeper.Legend has it that when hereturned to Ireland a swarm ofbees followed him across the IrishSea. On his return Molaga cured a

chieftain suffering from a malignant ulcer, and was rewarded withland at Bremore, where he built a church. The church became knownas Llanbeachaire, or Lambeecher, Welsh for Beekeeper's Church. In1535, James Barnewall built a castle at the site. The castle andchurch are currently being restored by Fingal County Council and FAS.

Balrothery CastleBalrothery was an administrativecentre for the Norman's, whichaccounts for its present name,Baile na Ridire (Town of theKnights). The Knights of Fingalused to attend meetings inBalrothery to discuss land andChurch disputes. BalrotheryVillage became the centre of thegreat Barony of Balrothery, which

covered most of North Fingal. All that remains now is a small intactvaulted tower-house. On the western side of the M1 throughBalrothery, there is a large Celtic cross erected over a mass grave ofthe unfortunate paupers who perished in the workhouse which wassituated along the Balrothery "straight" until recent times.

Fingal’s RuralVillagesFingal’s rural villages offer a slow pace of life and numerous sitesof archaeological, architectural and historic interest. Fingal is generallyquite flat yet to the north the land rises to a height of around 170 metresaffording panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains to the north and theWicklow Mountains to the south.

To the northwest of Fingal lies Naul which is home to the Seamus EnnisCultural Centre. Also worth a visit is the Fourknocks Megalithic Tomb whichdates from 1800 b.c. and has many of the features of the BoyneValley tombs.


Séamus Ennis CentreNaul, Fingal, Co DublinTel +353 1 8020898,Email: [email protected] www.seamusenniscentre.comNaul has a rich legacy of music, history and folklore, here the SéamusEnnis Centre marks the achievements of the renowned master uillean piper,broadcaster, storyteller and folk song collector. Traditional music andcultural events are held here every weekend - an event guide is availableonline on www.seamusenniscentre.com. The centre also offers a lovelyrustic style cafe and makes the perfect stop-off for walkers, cyclists andmotorists. Food served all day.

OPENING TIMESSunday – Wednesday 10am to 5pm.Thursday – Saturday 10am – 10pm

Access to the Centre is by car or hired coach along the N1 turning off atBallyboughal or Balbriggan and straight on to the Naul.

FACILITIES• Parking facilities for cyclists and motorists• Coffee Shop

FourknocksThe Naul, Fingal, Co DublinLocated on a hill-top close toNaul village this early neolithicpassage grave dates back to2,500 B.C. The cruciform tombhas many scribings, one of whichis said to feature a human face,called the Clown Face, it mayrepresent a god or goddessworshipped by the tomb builders,or perhaps one of the people

buried in the tomb. Excavated in 1950, the side niches of the mainchamber yielded human remains thousands of years old.

Naul

By Car: From M1 take Balbriggan Exit and follow signpost for Naul.

GETTING THERE


Ballyboughal

The village of Ballyboughal lies to the south of Naul, its gaelic form,Baile Bachaille means "Town of the Staff", a name derived from the"Basal Iosa", or "Staff of Jesus", which was carried by St. Patrick duringhis missionary labours in Ireland. The tradition in the district is to theeffect that this venerated relic was for a number of years preserved in theold church of Ballyboughal, now in ruins. Also in Ballyboughal aremonuments to those who fought in the 1798 uprising.

Oldtown

Oldtown has considerable old world charm. The remains of a tiny churchsits on the hillside, its well is said to cure sore throats and just outsidethe gate is the stone of St. Patrick, so called because the saint used hispalm to make a hole in the stone to tether his donkey!

Garristown

The remnant stub of a windmill which dates from 1736 dominates thelandscape around Garristown. The hillfort around the windmill is knownas Rath Esa after a princess in Celtic mythology who took up residenceon the hill of Garristown as the three most important places in Ireland atthe time, Bru na Boinne, Howth Head and the Hill of Tara, were visiblefrom here.


Farmleigh HouseCastleknock, Dublin 15Tel: +353 1 8155900 / +3531 8155981Emails: [email protected] www.farmleigh.ieThe 32 hectare Farmleighestate was bought by EdwardCecil Guinness, the brewingtycoon, in 1873. Originally asmall Georgian house

Farmleigh was refurbished and extended a number of times, first between1881-84, then in 1896 when the Ballroom wing was added, and again in1901 with the addition of an adjoining Conservatory. The house bears aneclectic interior design ranging from the classical style to Jacobean, LouisXV, Louis XVI and Georgian. The estate remained with the Guinness familyuntil 1999 when it was purchased by the Irish Government and restored forthe purposes of providing accommodation for visiting dignitaries, for highlevel Government meetings, and for public enjoyment. Along with thehouse the Sunken Garden, the Walled Garden, the famous Clock Tower andthe Lake are well worth the visit.

OPENING TIMESMarch – Christmas open Thurs – Sun and Bank Holiday MondaysThe grounds and Coffee shops open Tuesday & Wednesday

FACILITIESGuided tours of the House and Gardens can be arranged byappointment. Thursdays and Fridays.The Boathouse Restaurant and the Motorhouse Café.Farmleigh is accessed via the Phoenix Park

Dublin 15

Dublin 15 boasts three waterways, the rivers Liffey and Tolka and theRoyal Canal. The Liffey Valley where it passes through Fingal isbeautifully contained between steep wooded hills around the famousStrawberry Beds. Nearby are the Anna Liffey (Shackleton) Mills andLuttrellstown Castle, a 15th Century property now run as a Golf andCountry Club. The landscape of the 8km linear park at the Tolka RiverValley varies from pastureland and woodland to wetlands providing for awide variety of fauna. The Royal Canal has been restored and developedfor a range of recreational activities and is navigable between Dublin andCo. Longford.


Sandpit CottagesLuttrellstown Road, Castleknock,Fingal, Dublin 15The cottages were built at the endof the 19th century by the famousGuinness Brewery for theemployees of their Farmleighestate. The buildings are typicalof the type of country cottagescommon to Irish villages.

St Brigid's ChurchThe original church was built by Fr Joseph Joy Dean in 1836, firstMass was celebrated in 1837, in its primitive shell structure.Nineteen years later in 1856 the ceiling was plastered, outer wallsdashed and the gallery constructed. In 1857 the tower was added andin 1858 thespire was added bringing the total height to 189 feet. The BrookWindow, by Harry Clarke, in the north wall of St. Brigid's Church,depicts St. Hubert, St. Luke and St. George. Well worth viewing thework was executed about 1928 and is one of the finest examples ofhis work.

St. Mary's Churchof IrelandSt. Mary's Church of Ireland atClonsilla was built on the site ofthe former priory of St. Brigid'swas erected during the rule ofArchbishop Whately. Thispicturesque building is beautifullyset among trees and in itsgraveyard is buried the remains ofsome noble clerics.

Anna Liffey MillsNear Lucan, Dublin 15The Anna Liffey (Shackleton) Mills, located on the river Liffey, wereowned by the family of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Irish AntarticExplorer. The mills were formerly known as the 'Devil's Mills', lore hadit that the mill had been built by the devil in one night as a result of awager with the owner of Luttrellstown Castle. The mills, owned byFingal County Council, are currently under restoration. Visits only byappointment.


DunsinkObservatoryDunsink, Castleknock, Dublin 15.www.dunsink.dias.ieIreland's oldest scientificinstitution, Dunsink Observatorywas built in 1783 and has forover 200 years provided Dublinwith information on the progressof astronomy. DunsinkObservatory, is home of the

Astronomy section of the School of Cosmic Physics. Sir WilliamHamilton, the discoverer of quaternion mathematics and eminent19th Century mathematician and physicist, is a former director of theObservatory. Admission, by ticket only, by forwarding a stampedaddressed envelope to: The Secretary, Dunsink Observatory,Castleknock, Dublin 15, marked Open Nights.

LuttrellstownCastleCastleknock, Fingal, Dublin 15Fax +353 1 8089901www.luttrellstown.ieSet in a magnificent 227 hectare(560-acre) estate LuttrellstownCastle is a stunning periodresidence which dates from theearly 15th century. Many

generations of the Luttrell family lived at the castle until it was sold toArthur E Guinness in 1930, who bought the estate for his daughter.The castle is now owned by the Primwest Group and is operated as asmall luxury hotel and golf club.

St. Catherine's ParkThe demesne of St. Catherine hashad numerous owners since it wasfirst established in 1219. Ahouse and chapel were built bythe Huguenot La Touche familyon the lands at the end of the17th century; however the housewas burnt to the ground at theend of the 18th century. Alsohere are two wells dedicated to

St. Catherine, the water is used as a cure for sore eyes.


Liffey Valley andthe StrawberryBedsThe Liffey where it forms thesouthwest boundary of Fingal nearLucan has a wildlife area of greatbeauty. Here also are theStrawberry Beds, so called as theland was used for a long time forthe cultivation of strawberries,has largely been untouched by

modern development and provides enchanting and picturesque views.The area is now classified as a Special Amenity Area.

DraíochtThe Blanchardstown Centre,Fingal, Dublin 15Tel +353 1 885 2610Box Office +353 1 8852622Web www.draiocht.ieDraíocht provides stimulating andaccessible arts programming.Theatre events includeprofessional national andinternational work, local

community drama, and children's theatre and pantomime. There arealso two exhibition galleries.

St. Thomas' Mulhuddart.In the 15th Century a Church on the site became famous because ofits association with the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This religiousfraternity of prominent local people was founded by Act of Parliament(23rd of Henry VI). The Church of that time, still in ruins, is adjacentto the new cemetery at Mulhuddart, opposite the well that gives thelocality its name: Ladyswell. The newer church was bulit in 1871 andwas designed by the well-known firm of Welland and Gillespie.

By car: From the M50 take the Blanchardstown exit. Dublin 15 isaccessible from the city centre via the Pheonix Park.

By Dublin Bus from the city centre:buses leave from Hawkins Street (37, 38, 38A, 38B, 38C, 39, 39A, 70, 76A). To Farmleigh take the 37 to theCastleknock Gate of the Phoenix Park.Farmleigh is a signposted fifteen-minute walk. To Dunsink take the38 / 39 / 70 to Dunsink Lane roundabout on the Navan Road follow Dunsink Lane for two miles.

GETTING THERE


Watermill Visitor CentreSkerries Mills, Windmills

Map of Fingal

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS OR ANY OTHER

ACTIVITY IN THE FINGAL DUBLIN AREA PLEASE CONTACT

Fingal Tourism

Mainscourt, Main Street,

Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.

Tel: +353 1 840 0077

Email: info@fi ngaltourism.ie

Web: www.fi ngaldublin.ie

Revised Covers.indd 3 16/07/2009 14:19:15

download the fingal dublin heritage guide

Documents