Clondalkin History

History of Clondalkin

Clondalkin - Cluain Dolcain - Dolcan's Meadow is situated on the banks of the River Camac. Clondalkin is situated on the heights over the estuary of the River Liffey and guards the inland pass between the mountains and the river. This advantageous location first attracted Neolithic settlers around 7,600 years ago. The Celtic tribe of Cualann settled in the area and left many mounds and raths as records their passing.

Christianity came to East Leinster in the 5th century. Clondalkin was one one of these early Christian communities. The foundation at Clondalkin is ascribed to St. Cronán also known as Mochua. The monastery was situated where St. John's Church now stands and as was the practice was surrounded by a protective fosse, the outline of which can be followed in today's village streetscape. Orchard Road, with the gardens sloping up from road level, formed the boundary on one side. Continuing along Main Street it then curved to the west of the Round Tower.

Saint Cronán Mochua died in 630 AD and his feast day is celebrated on the 6th August. That the foundation continued after St. Mochua is confirmed by the recorded names of Abbots and Bishops of Clondalkin until 1080 AD.

The Round Tower is the dominant feature of Clondalkin Village being visible from all directions. No records exist as to when the tower was built and the reason why they were built has long been a matter of discussion.

The first historian to concentrate on round towers was a Dr. Thomas Molyneaux in 1725. He argued that they were of Danish origin. However, George Petrie, in his essay for the Royal Irish Academy in 1833, refuted these suggestions and stated that the towers were the symbolic central feature of the early Celtic Church. It is now accepted that a round tower - Cloig Theach in Irish, was used as a Bell Tower and to safeguard the relics of the founder.

The Annals of Ulster record that the relics of St. Kevin and St. Mochua were taken on tour in 790 AD. It is thought that Clondalkin Round Tower was built around this period. Certainly it is of a very early type with rough calp limestone used in its construction. There are no signs of any of the stones being shaped by a mason. The door and window frames are formed from Leinster granite erratics.

Clondalkin Round Tower is 27.5M high and is complete, still having its original cap. With a circumferences of 12.7M above the buttress, it is the most slender of all Round Towers. The buttress at the base is not original and there is no record of when it was added. It was put in place 1725 when it is shown in a drawing by Samuel Molyneaux.

The village was plundered by the Norsemen in 832, 1071 and again in 1076 AD during which period they settled in the area and built a fortress named Dun Amhlaeibh after their King.

The village came under the control of the Archbishop of Dublin and by the 13th century Clondalkin was described as a town with many inhabitants, ruled by a bailiff. We know that Robert Beg held this position in 1276 and there was also a weigh master due to the importance of trade in the village.

From an inquisition, regarding property assigned in 1393 to the Church of Clondalkin by one John Shillingford, we know that there were at least five streets in the village namely: Mahow Street; Mill Street; New Street; Steeple Street and Pope Lane.

Clondalkin was established as a borough in 1300 and by 1547 it is recorded that:
"Clondalkin is among the walled and good towns of the County"

The present St. John's Church was opened in 1789. It had an open belfry and 12 seats (pews). Restoration, which started in 1834, gave us the Church of Ireland structure we see today. The medieval church which stood on this site was demolished in 1787 to allow work to start on a new church. There are no records of when this church was built; according to Dr. Petrie it was a church of considerable architectural importance and was probably built during the 13th Century.

The earlier church measured 120 feet long and 50 feet wide. The church was dedicated to St. Mochua and contained three altars honouring Mary the Blessed Virgin; St. Bridget and St. Thomas. All that remains of this earlier church is a column of stonework in the churchyard.

There are two early crosses in the graveyard, a larger granite cross in the which is possibly a boundary cross for the Barony of Uppercross, of which Clondalkin is a part and a smaller carved cross. Another item of note is a large baptismal font carved out of a granite erratic.

St. John's graveyard was the village graveyard where burials from all denominations occurred for a long period. There are many interesting tombstones within the graveyard including those of two Catholic Parish Priests along the back wall.

On Sunday 8th March 1857 the Parish Priest Fr. Moore held a parochial meeting in the Chapel House. He proposed the erection of a new church. It is recorded that his suggestion was responded to "in a manner unprecedented in the Annuals of Chapel building in Ireland". Certainly a large sum of money was pledged with many parishioners subscribing £50 to £100 each.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception was designed by F. W. Caldbeck in the Gothic style and the foundation stone was laid on Sunday 5th July 1857 by His Grace the Most Rev. Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin. In a container placed under the stone were coins of Pope Pius IX and of Queen Victoria, along with an inscribed parchment. The church organ was installed by Messers Telford and first played on 12th May 1867. On that occasion, the organist was Professor Glover, organist in the Pro-Cathederal, Dublin. The choir was composed of the Pro-Cathederal choir with principal singer Madame La Vega Wilson along with the Presentation Convent Choir.

Clondalkin is regarded as a center for the Irish language and for Irish culture. Munitir Cronáin was founded in 1972 to further the use of the Irish language through educational, social and cultural activities. For many years Muintir Cronáin operated from members' houses and various halls around the village. In May 1989 they purchased Orchard House in the centre of the village and renaming it Áras Cronáin opened it as a cultural and heritage centre.

In 1975 and again in 1988, Muintir Cronáin was awarded the Glór na nGael National Trophy in recognition of its efforts to promote the Irish languag. In 1991 they were chosen to host An tOireachtas - the yearly National Cultural Festival.