the Fingal Dublin Heritage Guide

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Welcome to
Fingal Dublin
The Fingal Dublin region is renowned for its old world charm
and rich heritage. The region derives its name from the Gaelic
words 'Fine Gall' meaning 'land of the fair haired stranger' in
reference to the Vikings who settled in the area from the 8th
Century onwards. In fact at the Battle of Clontarf, during which
the Irish Kings famously defeated the Viking invaders, the Viking
flag was captured and the black raven featured on the flag
remains the symbol of Fingal today.
Aspects of Fingal Dublin's rich heritage and long history are
encapsulated in the many famous buildings, churches, castles,
great houses and archaeological sites located in the area. This
guide reflects the wealth of monuments, some dating as far back
as 5,000 years, spanning various periods of Fingal Dublin's
history from Christian civilizations and the Viking occupation to
the diversity of Anglo-Irish history through to modern day Fingal
Dublin.
Also included in the guide are details of Fingal's cultural
heritage such as crafts, literature and music and its abundant
natural heritage from its fine regional parks, beaches and fishing
ports to its offshore islands estuaries, rivers and canals.
The Heritage Guide is laid out geographically, places of interest
are clustered together.
Front cover image; Lusk Tower
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Contents
Map
Swords
Howth
Malahide
Donabate/Portrane
Lusk/Rush & Loughshinny
Skerries
Balbriggan
Fingal Rural Villages
Dublin 15
For more information on this or any other
activity in the Fingal Area please contact
Fingal Tourism
Mainscourt, Main Street,
Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.
Tel:
Email:
Web:
+353 1 840 0077
info@fingaldublin.ie
www.fingaldublin.ie
Properties denoted by “The Parks of Fingal” are
managed by Fingal County Council
Fingal County Council
Parks Division, 1st Floor, County Hall,
Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin.
Tel:
Web:
+353 1 8905000
www.fingalcoco.ie
Please note there are admission charges to many of the sites
listed in the guide. Fingal Tourism is supported by Fingal County
Council and FAS. Photographs by courtesy of Community,
Culture and Sports Dept. of Fingal County Council’.
Photographs by courtesy of Fingal County Council, Swords
Camera Club and Fingal Tourism members.
www.fingaldublin.ie
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Swords
The town was founded in 560AD around a well associated with St.
Colmcille. The well was to give Swords its name, "Sord" being the
Gaelic for "pure". It is said that as the old town of 'Sord' remained to
the west of the Ward River a new town of 'Sord' grew to the east, the
anglicized name for the whole area became "Swords" - the
two 'Sord'
TO GET TO SWORDS
Bus:
By car:
Routes from city centre - 33, 33B, 41, 41C, 43. No. 102 bus from
the Airport and Malahide Village.
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.
Swords Castle
Main Street, Swords,
Fingal, Co Dublin
Tel: +353 1 8400891
Located in the centre of the
ancient town Swords Castle is a
former residence of the Medieval
Archbishop of Dublin. The
extensive complex of buildings is
in the form of a rough pentagon
of 0.5 hectares and is enclosed
by a perimeter wall of 260
metres. The castle was
constructed in a piecemeal
fashion over a period of 400 years and became one of the eight
manorial estates belonging to the medieval Archbishops of Dublin.
Parliaments are even said to have been held in the great hall of the
Castle. Swords Castle is the only fortified residence of the Archbishop
of Dublin to survive in a reasonable state of preservation. The Castle is
currently under restoration, the work is being carried out by Fingal
County Council and FAS.
OPENING TIMES
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 12 pm / 1pm - 4pm
Tuesday closed. Friday 10am - 12pm / 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Closed on weekends • Admission Free
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St. Columba's
Church and Belfry,
Swords
The only remaining relic of a
medieval church is its Belfry
which is open to the public in
summertime, when fine days
afford the visitor a view of four
counties from the tower’s height.
The original church is said to
have fallen into ruin sometime in
the seventeenth century. The new church of early Gothic style was
built in 1811 on the foundations of the old.
St Colmcille's Well,
Swords
The Well, consecrated by St
Colmcille in 560 A.D., marks the
origin of Swords as it gives the
town its name "Sord" meaning
"pure". The water in Swords is
renowned for its curative
properties for sore eyes.
Swords Historical
Society
Carnegie Library, North Street,
Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin
Tel : +353 1 8400080
email: swordsheritage@eircom.net
web:www.irishroots.net
The Carnegie Library was built in
1909 by a local library committee
with funding from the Carnegie
Trust. It has served various community groups over the years but ceased to
be a Library in 1986. It is now home to the Swords Historical Society and
Fingal Genealogy, part of the Irish Family History Foundation, the group
offers a genealogical research service for the Fingal Dublin area. Open
weekdays 1-4.30p.m.
Ward River
Valley Park
Woodland habitats, wetlands and
rolling grassland, punctuated by
archaeological remains, comprise
this lovely linear 89ha park along
the Ward river valley. Features of
particular interest include some
Bronze Age fortifications and the
remains of an Italian garden. There
are numerous viewing points, picnic sites, children’s playground and all
weather pitch within the park’s boundaries.
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Howth Peninsula
The Howth Peninsula, with its picturesque harbour and lighthouse,
walks, martello towers, and portal tomb, offers magnificent panoramas
over Dublin Bay. In pre-Christian times the Celtic tribes called this
peninsula ‘Ben Edar’ - the mountain or hill of Edar - possibly after a
chieftain of the Tuatha De Danann. There has also been speculation
that 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, this
includes Ireland's Eye (28 hectares), the heathland, woods, cliffs and
wooded residential areas of the south-eastern half of the peninsula
(519 hectares) and a 21 kilometre network of rights of-way as public
footpaths.
TO GET TO HOWTH
By car:
By Train:
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.
DART from city centre to Howth, museum 800yds from station to
Howth Demesne.
Howth Castle
Howth Demesne, Howth,
Fingal, Co. Dublin.
The present castle is said to be
the third on the site, the oldest
part, including the keep and gate
tower, dates from about the mid15th century. Through the
centuries there have been various
additions and alterations. A
ruined chapel, originally used as a
private place of worship for the
family, is found adjacent to the
castle, and this served as the
local protestant church during the
18th century. The castle is the private home of the St Lawrence family
but the famous rhododendron gardens are open to the public.
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National Transport
Museum Heritage Depot, Howth
Demesne, Howth,
Fingal, Co Dublin.
Tel: +353 1 8480831
www.nationaltransportmuseum.org
This collection is Ireland's only
comprehensive assembly of public
and commercial road transport.
More than a century separates the
oldest 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 are
sole survivors of once well known types. The main exhibits are backed
by a display of small artefacts and photographs. You will be
astonished at the richness and scope of this heritage fleet and its
uncanny ability to bring the past back to life.
OPENING TIMES
September - May: Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 2-5pm
June, July & August 10am - 5pm. Closed Christmas Day. Out of
hours contact William Kelly Tel: +353 1 832 0427
Ye Olde HurdyGurdy Museum of
Vintage Radio
Martello Tower, Howth,
Fingal, Co Dublin.
Entrance opposite “The Abbey
Tavern”, Abbey Street. Ye Olde
Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage
Radio is located in the Martello
Tower overlooking the harbour in
Howth, Co. Dublin. The museum
opened, in the recently restored tower, in 2003. Pat Herbert is the
curator, and his collection of old radios, music boxes, gramophones
and other related items are on exhibit. Pat has been collecting for
forty years and takes great pride and pleasure in showing visitors
around this gem of a museum
OPENING TIMES
Open to the public 7 days a week May to October 11am – 5pm.
Admission €5 For bookings contact: Pat Herbert 086-8154189.
www.fingaldublin.ie
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The Portal Dolmen
- Howth Demesne
The portal dolmen, known locally
as Aideen’s Grave, consists of
several blocks of quartz. The roofstone or capstone (estimated to
weigh over 90 tons) would
originally have been poised on the
jambs; in this case the capstone
has collapsed. The site is said to
date to 2,500 BC when it was
possibly used as a sepulchral
monument in honour of a departed chieftain or King and to protect
the contents of his tomb. Another legend suggests the monument was
erected in honour of Aideen, the daughter of Aengus of Ben Edar, who
died of a broken heart.
Baily Lighthouse,
Howth
The historic Baily Lighthouse,
built in 1814, overlooks Dublin
Bay and enjoys magnificent views
of the coastline stretching from
the Dublin Mountains to the
Mourne Mountains. The
lighthouse is one of six for which
permission was granted to Sir
Robert Reading to build around
the Irish coast. The lighthouse
was manned until March 1997
when it became automatic.
Ireland’s Eye Island
Lying just north of Howth Harbour
the island can be reached by boat
from the East Pier during the
summer months. It is uninhabited,
its only buildings are a Martello
Tower and the little ruined church
said to have been founded in the
sixth century. During the early
summer months the place is
vibrantly alive with the sights and
sounds of breeding seabirds.
Howth Harbour
Built between 1807 and 1812 to
serve as the official mail packet
station in Dublin Howth Harbour
was visited by King George IV in
1821, his footprint is still visible
at the end of the West Pier. In
1914 the Asgard, owned by
Erskine Childers, sailed into
Howth laden with arms for the
nationalist uprising. There's a fine
lighthouse at the end of the East Pier.
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Portmarnock
Baldoyle Bay extends from Howth’s West Pier to just below
Portmarnock village and is of high conservation importance. The inner
estuarine section is a Statutory Nature Reserve and is designated as a
wetland of international importance. Two rivers run into the estuary
one of which is the Sluice River. The Sluice River Marsh is a relatively
intact freshwater marsh, a habitat that is now rare in Co Dublin.
Views of Dublin Bay and Lambay Island are stunning from the silver
strand at Portmarnock. There’s a sculpture to commemorate the
Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith's departure from the beach
to cross the Atlantic in his aircraft the Southern Cross.
Martello Towers
Martello towers are small defensive forts built during the 19th century,
from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards. They stand up to 40
feet (12m) high (with two floors) and typically had a garrison of one
officer and 15-25 men. Their round structure and thick walls of solid
masonry made them resistant to cannon fire, while their height made
them an ideal platform for a single heavy artillery piece, mounted on
the flat roof and able to traverse a 360° arc. There are twelve such
towers along the Fingal Dublin coastline (see map for locations), each
in line of sight of each other, providing the ability to communicate
with one another, or warn of any incoming attacks.
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Malahide
A pretty seaside town Malahide is designated a Heritage Town. There
are many activities available to visitors, ranging from an ancient Castle
to a modern Marina. The town is renowned for its beauty and has won
numerous national and international awards including the Tidy Town
National Winner Award and the European Entente Florale Award.
Paddy's Hill, overlooking Malahide Estuary, is the earliest evidence we
have of a habitation site in the area c.6000 B.C. Tradition has it that
St. Patrick visited the locality in 432 A.D. while the Vikings landed in
795 A.D. McTurkill, the last Danish King of Dublin, retired to
Malahide in 1171, from whom the Normans took over in 1185. For
more info check out www.malahideheritage.com
TO GET TO MALAHIDE
By Train:
By Bus:
northbound DART and suburban trains from city centre to Malahide.
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. Malahide
Castle is a 15 mins walk from Malahide Train station. St. Doulagh's
Church is located on the Malahide Road, R107 towards Dublin
Malahide Demesne
The 109ha park features natural rolling parkland sensitively enhanced by
pleasant walks, play and picnic areas, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, 9-hole golf
course and a pitch and putt course.
Talbot Botanic Garden
Within Malahide Demesne lie the 10 hectare Talbot Botanic Gardens,
including a 2 hectare Walled Garden with seven glasshouses. The
gardens are home to over 5,000 different species of plants and boast
a fine collection of Southern Hemishere plants, with a particular
emphasis on Australasian and Chilean species, along with the national
collection of the genus Olearia. The gardens, as they exist today, were
largely created by Lord Milo Talbot between 1948 and 1973. For
details tel +353 1 816 9914
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Malahide Castle
Malahide, Fingal, Co Dublin
Telephone: +353 1 846 2184 Fax: +353 1 846 2537
malahidecastle@dublintourism.ie Website:www.malahidecastle.com
Set on 100 hectares of parkland in Malahide the castle was established in
the late 12th Century and from that time until 1975 was home to the
Talbot family. The oldest part of the present castle is a 14th century tower
house. The great hall was added in 1475 with subsequent additions
undertaken from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The house is furnished
with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish
portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery of Ireland. The principal
rooms open to the public include; The Oak Room, The Drawing Rooms, The
Library, The Nursery, The Bedrooms and The Great Hall where the history of
the Talbot family is recorded with portraits of generations of the family
telling their own version of Ireland's stormy history.
OPENING TIMES
January to December Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm
April to September. Sunday & Public Holidays 10am to 5pm
October to March. Sunday & Public Holidays 11am to 5pm
Closed 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
www.fingaldublin.ie
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Tara’s Palace
Malahide Castle Demesne,
Malahide, Fingal, Co Dublin
Tel +353 1 846 3779
Fax +353 1 8463723
Meticulously constructed, this dolls
house has taken over a decade to
complete and work is still ongoing.
Designed and built to one-twelfth
scale, it encapsulates the grandeur and elegance of Ireland's three great
18th Century Mansions; Castletown House, Leinster House and Carton.
Paintings by leading Irish Artists and miniature furnishing masterpieces
adorn the State Rooms and private apartments. The displays are
augmented and supported by a collection of dolls, antique toys and other
dolls houses Entry fees go to the support of children’s charities in Ireland
through Tara’s Palace Trust.
OPENING TIMES
April – September. Closed Monday.
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pm.
Closed for lunch 1-2pm. Sunday 1- 4.45pm.
FACILITIES
same as Malahide Castle
St. Doulagh's
Church & Well,
Kinsealy
Near Malahide in Kinsealy is St.
Doulagh's Church which occupies
the site of a 7th century monastic
settlement founded by St.
Doulagh. Built in the 12th
century, the church has many
characteristics of early Saxon
churches and the original walls are three feet thick. There are 7
apartments altogether in the church, including a leper's window,
through which the unfortunate victim was permitted to receive Holy
Communion and a penitential cell where the incumbent languished
until he changed his ways.
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The Fry Model
Railway
Malahide Demesne, Malahide,
Fingal, Co. Dublin.
Tel: +353 1 846 3779
Fax: +353 1 846 3723
Email: fryrail@dublintourism.ie
Web: www.visitdublin.com/attractions
The Fry Model Railway is a
unique collection of handmade
models of Irish trains, from the
beginning of rail travel to modern times. One of the world's largest
miniature railways, the exhibition is unique in that it is a working
railway covering an area of 2,500 sq. feet. Situated in the beautiful
grounds of Malahide Castle, this delightful collection is a treat for
railway enthusiasts, children and adults alike. The beautifully
engineered models are from a collection originally built up in the
1920's and 1930's by Cyril Fry, a railway engineer and draughtsman,
with each piece assembled with the finest attention to detail.
OPENING TIMES
April – September. Closed Monday. Tuesday - Saturday 10am4.30pm. Closed for lunch 1-2pm. Sunday 1- 4.45pm.
FACILITIES
same as Malahide Castle
Broadmeadow Estuary
At Malahide where the Broadmeadow River meets the Irish Sea is the
Broadmeadow Estuary where the sea's incursions have created a lake
and 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.
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Donabate/Portrane
All along the Fingal coastal corridor are small picturesque villages and
towns. The Donabate Portrane Peninsula was colonised by the Danes
in the 9th century until they were defeated by the Normans c. 1170.
As well as the political upheaval caused by the Norman invasion there
was also great economic and social change, a virile race and great
builders they saturated their conquered lands with defensive castles or
Romans keeps.
TO GET TO DONABATE
By Bus:
By Trains:
By car:
No. 33B from Eden Quay to Donabate village.
Northbound suburban trains from City Centre stations.
From M1 take Donabate exit and follow signposts to Newbridge
House and Donabate
Newbridge House
Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, Fingal, Co Dublin
Tel: +353 1 8436534 Fax: +353 1 8436535 email:
newbridgehouse@fingalcoco.ie
Newbridge House is a fine Georgian mansion built by Archbishop
Charles Cobbe in 1736. The house remained with the Cobbe family
for almost 250 years and is now owned by Fingal County Council. In a
unique agreement the Cobbe Family has provided, on loan to the
Council, the original furniture, pictures and other works of art on
display in the ground floor rooms of the house. An extensive
programme of renovation, reconstruction and restoration of the house
in 1986 has returned it to its 18th Century grandeur. The finest room
in the house is the Red Drawing Room featuring a beautiful white
marble chimney piece, original plaster ceiling, carpet, curtains, and
wallpaper from the late 18th century. Other rooms open to the public
include the Dining Room, Library, Sculpture Gallery and the Museum
of Curiosities. The latter features many artefacts collected by the
Cobbe Family on their travels throughout the world.
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OPENING TIMES
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 1pm / 2pm - 5pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays 12pm - 6pm
October - March - Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays 2pm - 5pm
The house and farm are closed on Mondays (except bank holidays)
FACILITIES
• Coach and car parking available
• Tours available
• Coffee Shop
Newbridge
Traditional Farm
Donabate, Fingal,
County Dublin
For info tel +353 1 843 6064
A 19th century farm was virtually
an independent and self
supporting entity, labour was
cheap and in great supply,
animals were kept and crops were
grown for food. Newbridge
Demesne Traditional Farm is a museum of 19th century rural life
installed in the picturesque old buildings around the 18th century
courtyard. On display are old breeds of farm animals, the machinery
and the farming techniques which were part and parcel of Irish
farming life in the last century.
OPENING TIMES
Open: April - September
Tuesday to Friday 10am - 1pm / 2pm - 5pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays 2pm - 6pm
Newbridge Demesne
Donabate, Fingal, County Dublin.
For info tel +353 1 843 6064
One of the finest examples of an 18th century landscape the extensive
145 hectare park includes a restored Victorian style Kitchen Garden, a
wildlife and deer park, playing, picnic and walking areas, and a 19th
Century working farm.
www.fingaldublin.ie
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Newbridge Walled
Kitchen Garden
The 5.5 acre Walled Kitchen
Garden contains a Rose Walk,
herbaceous border, two
glasshouses and an extensive
collection of fruit with a particular
emphasis on old apple varieties
and vegetables.
Stella’s Tower
Stella’s Tower, Portrane, is a
Norman Peel Tower which
consists of an intact vaulted
tower-house, with an unusual
protecting porch, early brick
chimney, and stair tower. It is
called ‘Stella’s Tower’ or ‘Stella’s
Rest’ because it is said that
Jonathan Swift’s friend, Stella,
lived here for a time in 1712.
Rogerstown
Estuary
Embracing the peninsula between
Portrane and Donabate the
estuary is an important link in the
chain of estuaries on the east
coast. This enchanting backwater
is a statutory Nature Reserve and
a candidate Special Area of
Conservation. It supports a huge
store of wildlife
Lambay Island
Lambay Island, opposite Portrane,
has had a chequered history, St
Colmcille built a monastery there,
it was occupied by the Vikings,
owned by the church, and a
prison camp. There are two
monuments located on the island
a late transitional castle and a
large adjacent rectangular
earthwork The Baring family, the
famous British Banking family,
bought the island in 1904. The island is still privately owned and is
noted for its deer, seals and as a bird sanctuary.
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Lusk
The Place now known as Lusk can be traced back, through old tales
and 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 sungod Lugh, and was called Lugh-Lochta Loga. With a rich and varied
landscape Lusk has maintained a unique village atmosphere.
TO GET TO LUSK
By Bus:
By Train:
By car:
No. 33B from Eden Quay to Donabate village.
Northbound suburban trains from City Centre stations.
From M1 take Donabate exit and follow signposts to Newbridge
House and Donabate
Lusk Round Tower
Lusk, Co. Dublin.
Tel No: +353 1 8331618 /
+353 1 8437285
Lusk Heritage Centre comprises
of a 9th century round tower, a
medieval belfry and a 19th
century church. They form a unit,
although they were built over a
period of almost a thousand
years. The belfry now houses an
exhibition on Lusk and medieval churches of North County Dublin and
also the magnificent 16th century effigy tomb of Sir Christopher
Barnewall and his wife Marion Sharl.
www.fingaldublin.ie
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Rush
TO GET TO RUSH
By Bus:
By Trains:
By car:
No. 33 from Abbey Street or Swords to Skerries.
Suburban trains to Rush / Lusk Train Station
From MI take Skerries exit north of Swords follows signs to
Rush via Lusk.
At the eastern end of Rush Village is a small harbour which was built
in the reign of James 2nd. Rush is mentioned by Hollinshed as being
one of the chief haven towns of Ireland, and in more recent times was
celebrated for its fisheries. In Kenure Park and Graveyard there a ruin
of a celtic church which is thickly covered by ivy. On the
other side of Rush, at Whitestown, a legend connects the church ruins
with French navigators, who may have been crusaders, driven by stress
of weather off their course and in danger of perishing, they made a
vow to St. Maur, greatly venerated in France, that if ever they escaped
destruction, they would build a Chapel in his honour on the point of
land they first touched. This happened to be Rogerstown, and
forthwith the Chapel was built and dedicated to St. Maur. The old
Church of Anglo- Norman date is located in the centre of a burial
ground, thickly set with obscure tombstones and bristly with nettles.
The Fingal Arts Centre in Rush is based in an 18th century church
and is well worth a visit.
Loughshinny
TO GET TO LOUGHSHINNY
By car:
From MI take Skerries exit north of Swords follows signs to
Loughshinny via Lusk and Rush.
Loughshinny is regarded as perhaps the very best natural situation for a
harbour along the coast of Leinster. The area may even have a Roman
connection. Near Loughshinny, on the headland of Drumanagh, there are
the remains of the largest promontory fort in Ireland, consisting of 16
hectares protected on three sides by sheer cliffs above the sea and on the
western side by huge ramparts stretching the entire width of the site. There
has been some speculation as to whether the Romans, from Britain, might
have settled at Drumanagh, artefacts of Roman origin have been found on
the site. The settlement is also described in extraordinary details in the
‘Táin’ one of the earliest pieces of Irish mythological literature.
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Skerries
Christianity is said to have been brought to Ireland when St. Patrick
landed in 432 AD. In 1256 a monastery from St Patrick's Island was
moved to the mainland, this move created the monastery of
Holmpatrick and in time the monastery joined up with the fishing
village of Skerries to form the heart of the town, as we know it. The
town got its name from the Vikings so it is safe to assume that the
Vikings recognised its advantages as harbour, and settled in the area.
TO GET TO SKERRIES
By Bus:
By Train:
33 bus from Abbey Street
Skerries via: Lusk. By Bus - No. 33 from Eden Quay or Swords to Skerries.
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.
TO GET TO ARDGILLIAN
By Bus:
33 bus from Abbey Street
The route is signposted from Balbriggan Town Centre. Bus No. 33 from Eden
Quay in Dublin travels via Skerries and passes under the "Lady's Stairs" two
miles north of Skerries The "Lady Stairs" is a pedestrian footbridge over the road
and railway line, which provides access to the Demesne.
Baldongan Church,
Skerries
At the top of a hill overlooking
Loughshinny stands the ruins of a
Medieval church. The church and
tower dedicated to the "Sweet
mother of God" is said to have
been originally built by the
Knights Templar. A castle on the
site was very much extended and
fortified over the centuries and by
the mid 17th century took on a formidable appearance covering about
three times the area of the present church. The castle was sacked in
June 1642 during the Confederacy Wars when two of the towers were
blown up. The castle was never repaired and over the intervening years
fell gradually into ruins, very little of which now exists.
www.fingaldublin.ie
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Skerries Mills
Skerries, Fingal, County Dublin
Tel + 353 1 8495208
Fax: +353 1 8495213
Email: skerriesmills@indigo.ie
web: www.skerriesmills.org
The Mill complex comprises a
watermill, 5-sail windmill, 4-sail
windmill and associated mill
races, mill pond and wetlands.
The history of the mills can be
traced to the 16th century. A bakery was also established on the site
by 1840. All three mills have been restored to working order by F.Á.S.
and Fingal County Council and are open to visitors throughout the
year. The mills in Skerries demonstrate an efficient and clean use of
water and wind power and are a rare survival of 17th, 18th and 19th
century industrial history. Indoors: Visitors can see how the watermill
works and view exhibits of milling equipment; mill stones, elevators,
shakers, blowers, winnowers. Bright and sunlit tea-rooms and a well
stocked craft shop are located on the first floor of the four-storey
watermill building. Outdoors: A mill race runs from the mill pond
along the edge of the cornfield to turn the waterwheel. Dominating the
landscape however, are the two windmills, the 5-sail Great Windmill of
Skerries and the older thatched 4-sail mill.
OPENING TIMES
1st April -30th September 10am – 10pm daily
1 October - 31 March 10.30-16.30 daily
Closed: 24th – 27th December & 31st Dec – 1st January
FACILITIES
Guided tours • Coach & car park • Craft Shop
The Watermill Cafe • Exhibition space
Ardgillian Castle
Ardgillan Demesne, Skerries, Fingal,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: +353 1 8492212
Fax: +353 1 8492194
Ardgillan Demesne is situated on
the elevated coastline between
Balbriggan and Skerries. Although
referred to as a castle, the
residence at Ardgillan is a large
country-style house with
castellated embellishments.
Originally named 'Prospect' the
central section was built in 1738
by Robert Taylor, Dean of Clonfert,
with the west and east wings
added in the late 1700's. The
family resided here from 1737
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until 1960. The castle was restored by FAS and the ground floor
rooms and kitchens are open to visitors for guided tours reliving
Victorian splendour. Upstairs the bedrooms are used for classes and
exhibitions including a permanent and unique exhibition of the 'Down
Survey' - an exhibition of maps produced by a team of 1,000
surveyors in 1654 mapping for the first time the complete survey of
Ireland. A full programme of visiting exhibitions takes place on an
annual basis.
OPENING TIMES
April - Sept Tue - Sun & pub Hols 11.00- 18.00
July / August - Open daily 11.00 - 18.00
Oct - Mar Tue - Sun & Pub Hols 11.00 - 16.30
FACILITIES
Meeting and exhibition facilities available. • Tours available
Coach and car parking available • Tea Rooms
Ardgillian Demesne
Skerries, Fingal, Co. Dublin.
Tel: +353 1 8492212
Fax: +353 1 8492194
This 81ha park, commanding
views of the Fingal coast, is a
mixture of wild woodland walks,
sheltered picnic areas, a fragrant
Rose Garden, the National
collection of Potentillas, a
splendid Victorian Conservatory
and a walled garden known as Ardgillan Victorian Gardens.
Ardgillan Victorian Gardens
Tel: +353 1 8492324
The walled garden is subdivided into five distinct sections for the
growing of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. It contains a most
unusual Fruit Alcove wall of 20 alcoves specifically for the growing of
tender fruits such as peaches, nectarines and pears.
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Islands off Skerries St Patrick's Island
St Patrick is said to have founded a
monastery here, which flourished until
the Vikings raided. In 1148 a synod
was held on the island to discuss
matters of church reform and in 1220
the Archbishop of Dublin issued a
directive to move the Monastery to the
mainland as the island was found to
be too inconvenient.
Shenicks Island
This, the most southerly of the
Skerries Islands, has a Martello
tower that has a visible link
between the Towers on Red Island
and Drumanagh. Since 1987 the
island has become a wildlife
reserve.
Red Island
Red Island, despite its name, is
no longer an island. Now it is a
rocky headland connected to the
mainland by a roadway (isthmus),
which forms part of the quay wall
of the harbour. A Martello Tower
stands on the island. Colt Island
is a small island off Red Island.
Rockabill
Lighthouse
Four miles north-east of Skerries
is the islet of Rockabill, which,
with its lighthouse built in 1860,
can be viewed from all parts of
the coast of Fingal. It is the
largest breeding site in Europe for
the now rare Roseate Tern. A
permitis required to visit
Rockabill.
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Balbriggan
TO GET TO BALBRIGGAN
By Car:
By Bus:
By Train:
from MI take Balbriggan exit & follow signs to Balbriggan.
No. 33 from Eden Quay, Dublin City Centre or Swords to Balbriggan.
Suburban trains from Dublin city centre to Balbriggan
The oldest known verified site in the area is in the townland of
Bremore (from the Irish Big Hills) - situated on the coast just north of
the town. According to its records, Lore has it its name was derived
from five mounds, locally known as the Fairy Mounds, these mounds
were surveyed in 1960 and have been identified as passage graves of
the same era as Newgrange (around 2500 BC).
The expansion of the town owes much to the foresight and drive of the
Hamilton family, major landowners in the area, they built Balbriggan
Harbour (in 1763), the inner dock (in 1829) and St. George's Church
of Ireland Church in 1813.
The Railway Viaduct, a strong visual landmark in Balbriggan, was built
in 1844, as part of the Dublin to Drogheda railway.
Balbriggan Lighthouse
The mid eighteenth Century lighthouse, providing a sea light for
vessels navigating of the east pier of Balbriggan harbour, an early cast
iron walkway surrounds the lantern and the lighthouse was unique in
having a clergyman Rev George Hamilton as its first light keeper.
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Bremore Castle
The story of Bremore began in the
6th Century with St. Molaga ,
who, having joined the
priesthood, was driven out of
Ireland, by the druids, to Wales
where he became a beekeeper.
Legend has it that when he
returned to Ireland a swarm of
bees followed him across the Irish
Sea. On his return Molaga cured a
chieftain suffering from a malignant ulcer, and was rewarded with
land at Bremore, where he built a church. The church became known
as Llanbeachaire, or Lambeecher, Welsh for Beekeeper's Church. In
1535, James Barnewall built a castle at the site. The castle and
church are currently being restored by Fingal County Council and FAS.
Balrothery Castle
Balrothery was an administrative
centre for the Norman's, which
accounts for its present name,
Baile na Ridire (Town of the
Knights). The Knights of Fingal
used to attend meetings in
Balrothery to discuss land and
Church disputes. Balrothery
Village became the centre of the
great Barony of Balrothery, which
covered most of North Fingal. All that remains now is a small intact
vaulted tower-house. On the western side of the M1 through
Balrothery, there is a large Celtic cross erected over a mass grave of
the unfortunate paupers who perished in the workhouse which was
situated along the Balrothery "straight" until recent times.
Fingal’s Rural
Villages
Fingal’s rural villages offer a slow pace of life and numerous sites
of archaeological, architectural and historic interest. Fingal is generally
quite flat yet to the north the land rises to a height of around 170 metres
affording panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains to the north and the
Wicklow Mountains to the south.
To the northwest of Fingal lies Naul which is home to the Seamus Ennis
Cultural Centre. Also worth a visit is the Fourknocks Megalithic Tomb which
dates from 1800 b.c. and has many of the features of the Boyne
Valley tombs.
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Naul
GETTING THERE
By Car:
From M1 take Balbriggan Exit and follow signpost for Naul.
Séamus Ennis Centre
Naul, Fingal, Co Dublin
Tel +353 1 8020898,
Email: info@seamusenniscentre.com
web www.seamusenniscentre.com
Naul has a rich legacy of music, history and folklore, here the Séamus
Ennis Centre marks the achievements of the renowned master uillean piper,
broadcaster, storyteller and folk song collector. Traditional music and
cultural events are held here every weekend - an event guide is available
online on www.seamusenniscentre.com. The centre also offers a lovely
rustic style cafe and makes the perfect stop-off for walkers, cyclists and
motorists. Food served all day.
OPENING TIMES
Sunday – Wednesday 10am to 5pm.
Thursday – Saturday 10am – 10pm
Access to the Centre is by car or hired coach along the N1 turning off at
Ballyboughal or Balbriggan and straight on to the Naul.
FACILITIES
• Parking facilities for cyclists and motorists
• Coffee Shop
Fourknocks
The Naul, Fingal, Co Dublin
Located on a hill-top close to
Naul village this early neolithic
passage grave dates back to
2,500 B.C. The cruciform tomb
has many scribings, one of which
is said to feature a human face,
called the Clown Face, it may
represent a god or goddess
worshipped by the tomb builders,
or perhaps one of the people
buried in the tomb. Excavated in 1950, the side niches of the main
chamber yielded human remains thousands of years old.
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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 during
his missionary labours in Ireland. The tradition in the district is to the
effect that this venerated relic was for a number of years preserved in the
old church of Ballyboughal, now in ruins. Also in Ballyboughal are
monuments to those who fought in the 1798 uprising.
Garristown
The remnant stub of a windmill which dates from 1736 dominates the
landscape around Garristown. The hillfort around the windmill is known
as Rath Esa after a princess in Celtic mythology who took up residence
on the hill of Garristown as the three most important places in Ireland at
the time, Bru na Boinne, Howth Head and the Hill of Tara, were visible
from here.
Oldtown
Oldtown has considerable old world charm. The remains of a tiny church
sits on the hillside, its well is said to cure sore throats and just outside
the gate is the stone of St. Patrick, so called because the saint used his
palm to make a hole in the stone to tether his donkey!
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Dublin 15
Dublin 15 boasts three waterways, the rivers Liffey and Tolka and the
Royal Canal. The Liffey Valley where it passes through Fingal is
beautifully contained between steep wooded hills around the famous
Strawberry Beds. Nearby are the Anna Liffey (Shackleton) Mills and
Luttrellstown Castle, a 15th Century property now run as a Golf and
Country Club. The landscape of the 8km linear park at the Tolka River
Valley varies from pastureland and woodland to wetlands providing for a
wide variety of fauna. The Royal Canal has been restored and developed
for a range of recreational activities and is navigable between Dublin and
Co. Longford.
Farmleigh House
Castleknock, Dublin 15
Tel: +353 1 8155900 / +353
1 8155981
Emails: farmleighinfo@opw.ie
web www.farmleigh.ie
The 32 hectare Farmleigh
estate was bought by Edward
Cecil Guinness, the brewing
tycoon, in 1873. Originally a
small Georgian house
Farmleigh was refurbished and extended a number of times, first between
1881-84, then in 1896 when the Ballroom wing was added, and again in
1901 with the addition of an adjoining Conservatory. The house bears an
eclectic interior design ranging from the classical style to Jacobean, Louis
XV, Louis XVI and Georgian. The estate remained with the Guinness family
until 1999 when it was purchased by the Irish Government and restored for
the purposes of providing accommodation for visiting dignitaries, for high
level Government meetings, and for public enjoyment. Along with the
house the Sunken Garden, the Walled Garden, the famous Clock Tower and
the Lake are well worth the visit.
OPENING TIMES
March – Christmas open Thurs – Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays
The grounds and Coffee shops open Tuesday & Wednesday
FACILITIES
Guided tours of the House and Gardens can be arranged by
appointment. Thursdays and Fridays.
The Boathouse Restaurant and the Motorhouse Café.
Farmleigh is accessed via the Phoenix Park
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Sandpit Cottages
Luttrellstown Road, Castleknock,
Fingal, Dublin 15
The cottages were built at the end
of the 19th century by the famous
Guinness Brewery for the
employees of their Farmleigh
estate. The buildings are typical
of the type of country cottages
common to Irish villages.
St Brigid's Church
The original church was built by Fr Joseph Joy Dean in 1836, first
Mass was celebrated in 1837, in its primitive shell structure.
Nineteen years later in 1856 the ceiling was plastered, outer walls
dashed and the gallery constructed. In 1857 the tower was added and
in 1858 the
spire was added bringing the total height to 189 feet. The Brook
Window, by Harry Clarke, in the north wall of St. Brigid's Church,
depicts St. Hubert, St. Luke and St. George. Well worth viewing the
work was executed about 1928 and is one of the finest examples of
his work.
St. Mary's Church
of Ireland
St. Mary's Church of Ireland at
Clonsilla was built on the site of
the former priory of St. Brigid's
was erected during the rule of
Archbishop Whately. This
picturesque building is beautifully
set among trees and in its
graveyard is buried the remains of
some noble clerics.
Anna Liffey Mills
Near Lucan, Dublin 15
The Anna Liffey (Shackleton) Mills, located on the river Liffey, were
owned by the family of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Irish Antartic
Explorer. The mills were formerly known as the 'Devil's Mills', lore had
it that the mill had been built by the devil in one night as a result of a
wager with the owner of Luttrellstown Castle. The mills, owned by
Fingal County Council, are currently under restoration. Visits only by
appointment.
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Dunsink
Observatory
Dunsink, Castleknock, Dublin 15.
www.dunsink.dias.ie
Ireland's oldest scientific
institution, Dunsink Observatory
was built in 1783 and has for
over 200 years provided Dublin
with information on the progress
of astronomy. Dunsink
Observatory, is home of the
Astronomy section of the School of Cosmic Physics. Sir William
Hamilton, the discoverer of quaternion mathematics and eminent
19th Century mathematician and physicist, is a former director of the
Observatory. Admission, by ticket only, by forwarding a stamped
addressed envelope to: The Secretary, Dunsink Observatory,
Castleknock, Dublin 15, marked Open Nights.
Luttrellstown
Castle
Castleknock, Fingal, Dublin 15
Fax +353 1 8089901
www.luttrellstown.ie
Set in a magnificent 227 hectare
(560-acre) estate Luttrellstown
Castle is a stunning period
residence which dates from the
early 15th century. Many
generations of the Luttrell family lived at the castle until it was sold to
Arthur E Guinness in 1930, who bought the estate for his daughter.
The castle is now owned by the Primwest Group and is operated as a
small luxury hotel and golf club.
St. Catherine's Park
The demesne of St. Catherine has
had numerous owners since it was
first established in 1219. A
house and chapel were built by
the Huguenot La Touche family
on the lands at the end of the
17th century; however the house
was burnt to the ground at the
end of the 18th century. Also
here are two wells dedicated to
St. Catherine, the water is used as a cure for sore eyes.
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Liffey Valley and
the Strawberry
Beds
The Liffey where it forms the
southwest boundary of Fingal near
Lucan has a wildlife area of great
beauty. Here also are the
Strawberry Beds, so called as the
land was used for a long time for
the 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.
Draíocht
The Blanchardstown Centre,
Fingal, Dublin 15
Tel +353 1 885 2610
Box Office +353 1 8852622
Web www.draiocht.ie
Draíocht provides stimulating and
accessible arts programming.
Theatre events include
professional national and
international work, local
community drama, and children's theatre and pantomime. There are
also two exhibition galleries.
GETTING THERE
By car:
From the M50 take the Blanchardstown exit. Dublin 15 is
accessible 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 the
Castleknock Gate of the Phoenix Park.Farmleigh is
a signposted fifteen-minute walk. To Dunsink take the
38 / 39 / 70 to Dunsink Lane roundabout on the Navan
Road follow Dunsink Lane for two miles.
St. Thomas' Mulhuddart.
In the 15th Century a Church on the site became famous because of
its association with the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This religious
fraternity of prominent local people was founded by Act of Parliament
(23rd of Henry VI). The Church of that time, still in ruins, is adjacent
to the new cemetery at Mulhuddart, opposite the well that gives the
locality its name: Ladyswell. The newer church was bulit in 1871 and
was designed by the well-known firm of Welland and Gillespie.
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Map of Fingal
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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@fingaltourism.ie
Web: www.fingaldublin.ie