Clondalkin

Clondalkin (Cluain Dolcáin in Irish, meaning "Dolcan's meadow") is a village and suburb 10 km west of Dublin City, Ireland, situated in the administrative area of South County Dublin. The name also relates to religious parishes. Clondalkin is home to a well-preserved 8th century round tower that acts as a focal point for the area. Acknowledged as one of the oldest and best preserved in the country (despite numerous storms and an explosion which destroyed the local mill in 1856), it is 25.6 metres high and has its original conical cap.

History

Clondalkin is believed to have been founded by Saint Darnel as a monastic settlement on the River Camac over 1400 years ago, sometime around 600 A.D. 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 beautiful 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 A.D., 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.

Today

Modern Clondalkin is a busy satellite town of Dublin, with a population of 43,929 in 2006. There are three Irish-speaking schools in the area.

Despite recent growth in the area (and the Irish economy in general), areas of Clondalkin remain relatively poor, especially to the north of the town. Unemployment is high in these areas, significantly higher than the national average, and growing, and crime is also high in these areas.

Clondalkin also boasts a number of shops from the Mill Centre, a music centre and a pet shop.

Media

• The Clondalkin Gazette, published by Gazette Group Newspapers, launched on Thursday 20 October, 2005
• The Clondalkin Echo

Local organisations

• Moyle Park Past Pupils FC are the senior soccer side in the village and play in the Leinster Senior League while Neilstown Rangers, past winners of the FAI Junior Cup, are strong in North Clondalkin.

• Clondalkin Lakers is a local basketball club that has teams playing in Division 1 and Division 3 in the Dublin Men Basketball League. The club plays and trains in Clondalkin Sports and Leisure Complex.

• Rugby union is played at Clondalkin Rugby Club, winners of the 2006 Spencer Cup and 2006 Under 18 Premier League, fielding 3 senior teams and under 20s, 18s, 16s, 14s, 12s, and 8s. The club was formed in 1974. The U18s team also reached the final of the All-Ireland cup, but lost by a single point.

• The Gaelic Athletic Association has a local club, the Round Towers GAA Club, which is located at Convent Road. The Club is the oldest sports club in Clondalkin and was founded in December 1884. Club members have represented Dublin in inter-county competition since the 19th century when Tom Errity won All-Ireland Senior Football medals in 1892, 1894, 1898, 1899 and 1902.

• Clondalkin Toastmasters club ([1]) is a part of the Toastmasters International organization and is, in 2007, in its eighth year of existence. The club's aim is to help members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.

• Clondalkin is home to St Joseph's Pipe band who have been established in the area since 1937.

• The Clondalkin Youth Band was formed in 1985. It has received many awards including winning two gold and one silver medals at the European Marching Band Championships (2006). It also claimed second prize in the last world marching band competition (2004).

• There is a local branch of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, a volunteer First aid charity.

• Clondalkin Youth Theatre have been performing in the area since the mid-90's, and are based within the village, open to members between the ages of 13-22. They are associated with the Irish National Association for Youth Drama.

Transport

Clondalkin is accessed by road, including service by Dublin Bus. It is planned that Clondalkin will be connected to the proposed Dublin Metro West by 2010.

53°19′N 6°24′W

See also

• List of towns in the Republic of Ireland