Inchicore

Inchicore (Irish: Inse Chór, meaning "Island of Sheep") is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland.

Inchicore

Irish: Inse Chór
Suburb
Mary Immaculate church
Inchicore
Location in Dublin
Inchicore
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53.335°N 6.332°W / 53.335; -6.332
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyDublin
CityDublin (Dublin City Council)
Government
 • Dáil ÉireannDublin South-Central

Location and access

5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of the city centre, south of the River Liffey, west of Kilmainham, north of Drimnagh and east of Ballyfermot, most of Inchicore is in the Dublin 8 postal district; parts of the area extend into Dublin 10 and Dublin 12.

The townlands of Inchicore North and Inchicore South are located in the civil parish of St. James, in the Barony of Uppercross.

Inchicore is accessed by multiple roads and served by a range of Dublin Bus services. Although the site of Ireland's main railway service yards, it has no mainline rail service, but it is served by the Luas tramway system, which runs along its filled-in permanent way, and serves the area from Blackhorse to Suir Bridge.

Inchicore is passed on its southern edge by the Grand Canal, developed by economic progressives of the day and that was, at its peak, the major passenger and commercial trading route through central Ireland, running through the lush productive farmlands and peat bogs of the Irish midlands. While it carried significant traffic in the great boom of the eighteenth century, it is now a recreational waterway.

History

Modern Inchicore grew from a small village near a marsh on the River Camac, at Inse Chaoire (Irish Gaelic for "Sheep Island") where sheep were herded and watered outside Dublin city prior to market. The village developed into a significant industrial and residential suburb in the late nineteenth century, due primarily to its engineering works and the west city tramway terminus. It was incorporated by the expanding city more than a century ago.

The first railway line in Ireland was established in 1834 and was located between Dublin and Kingstown, and this affected the town of Inchicore. Between the years 1846 and 1848 several houses and a Workmans Dining Hall was built on Inchicore Road. The building of houses increased as the business complex of the railway station grew. Employment in Inchicore at this time revolved around the railway station.[1]

Inchicore today

Inchicore's centre, at the junction of Emmet Road and Tyrconnell Road, retains a village atmosphere. The area includes a variety of local stores including a butcher/deli, hardware, ethnic stores, and two mid-size supermarkets. The village is served by several pubs, including the ancient Black Lion Inn, and several restaurants and take-aways including an Italian Restaurant called O'Liva. A brewery has also opened in the area.

The Village Inn, Inchicore, Dublin

Inchicore has a strong association with the national transportation system. A large tram yard terminus and coachworks and one of the major engineering works of the Irish railway network are located here. They are still a major employer among other significant industries and national distribution depots. Inchicore is undergoing considerable public and privately funded development. It is experiencing strong growth in the density and diversity of its population.

Features

Parks

The parks in the area include Grattan Crescent Park & playground, Jim Mitchell Park & playground, and the park grounds adjoining the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. To the south there is Lansdowne Valley Park.

The Irish National War Memorial Gardens, containing a monument designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, lies just to the north of Inchicore; there is an Inchicore entrance on Con Colbert Road. It commemorates the fallen Irish of the Great War. Official record books held in museum buildings there are inscribed with the names those who gave their lives. The gardens are also accessible from the South Circular Road, en route toward Phoenix Park can be accessed by crossing over Islandbridge (Sarah Bridge).

The Grand Canal
A view of Grand Canal from Goldenbridge Walk in Inchicore

The Grand Canal was constructed in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It is now a recreational waterway. It passes along the south side of Inchicore. The path along the canal is part of the Slí na Sláinte signposted walking route.[2] There is also an 8.5-kilometre (5.3 mi) long greenway between the 3rd Lock at Inchicore and the 12th Lock at Lucan, which opened in June 2010.[3]

Other waterways

The River Camac enters Inchicore flowing northeast from the Landsdowne Valley in Drimnagh. It flows east through Inchicore, and on through Kilmainham and under Bow Bridge, falling into the River Liffey under Heuston Station. Much of its course is now culverted and covered by buildings. During the eighteenth century small industries, primarily paper and textiles, developed along the Camac, which at the time was characterised by water mills, water wheels and weirs. In the 18th century, mills at Goldenbridge (Glydon Bridge) were producing paper and flour. Much of the industrial archaeology has disappeared but remnants still exist in the area. Kilmainham mill still exists and much of the machinery is still in place. Although derelict a new committee has been set up with a view to securing its preservation.

Other watercourses in the area include the Creosote Stream, which passes through the railworks, and comes to the Liffey at the western end of the War Memorial Gardens.

Museums

Nearby Kilmainham Jail, now a national museum, was the scene of the execution of leaders of Easter Rising of 1916.

Richmond Barracks museum, reopened in May 2016, as part of the centenary celebrations of the Easter Rising. Prisoners were taken to Richmond Barracks for processing after the surrender of the insurgents in 1916.

Goldenbridge Cemetery, accessible via guided tours from the nearby Richmond Barracks, was the first dedicated Roman Catholic cemetery in Ireland opened after Catholic Emancipation. The U.K. Catholic Relief Act 1829 was passed by the Duke of Wellington's government, and signed by the King under some Prime Ministerial pressure. In 1830 Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator, who was the vigorous Irish leader of the campaign for Emancipation was able to take his House of Commons seat as the first Roman Catholic M.P. (Clare) in the U.K. Parliament since 1649. Goldenbridge is the final resting place of modern Ireland's first head of government, President of the Executive Council W. T. Cosgrave who died in 1965.

Administration

In local government elections Inchicore is in the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council and for council elections, forms part of the Ballyfermot-Drimnagh Ward. Since the last local elections in 2019, the local elected representatives on the City Council are:

  • Daithí Doolan (Sinn Féin)
  • Hazel de Nortúin (People Before Profit)
  • Vincent Jackson (Independent)
  • Sophie Nicoullaud (Green Party)
  • Daithí de Róiste (Fianna Fáil)

Industry
Armoured train at Inchicore Works, c.1922

Inchicore Railway Works is the headquarters for mechanical engineering and rolling stock maintenance for Iarnród Éireann. Established in 1844 by the Great Southern & Western Railway, it is the largest engineering complex of its kind in Ireland with a site area of 295,000 m² (73 acres).).[4] Spa Road Works built trams and buses before its closure in 1977.

Arts

Inchicore has been home to a number of distinguished Irish poets. Michael Hartnett, lived on Tyrconnell Road from 1984 until about 1986. A plaque marks the house where he wrote some of Inchicore Haiku near Richmond Park, home to St. Patrick's Athletic Football Club. 'Inchicore Haiku' recounts the hard times in his life after his separation from his family.

Another Irish poet, Thomas Kinsella, was born near Sarsfield House at the Ranch and attended the Model School. He is a winner of the UCD Ulysses Medal.

Francis Ledwidge has associations with St. Michael's CBS, formerly Richmond Barracks. This is where he enlisted and trained before shipping out to the trenches in Flanders during The Great War. The Inchicore Ledwidge Society runs events to raise awareness of the life and works of the poet-soldier and hold a wreath-laying ceremony annually in the Memorial Park to honour Ledwidge.

The court-martials of all the leading figures in the 1916 Rebellion took place in Richmond Barracks. The surviving three buildings of the Barracks (formerly the recreation rooms) are in the process of being conserved. Building one has been completely refurbished as the atrium to the new Primary Health Care Centre and the gymnasium has received funding for its restoration ahead of the 1916 centenary celebrations.

The nationalist poet and teacher Padraig Pearse was imprisoned here before his execution in Kilmainham Gaol on the Inchicore Road.

The tramp writer Jim Phelan was born in Inchicore in 1896. On completing 15 years in prison for his part in the murder of a post mistress's son in a robbery in Liverpool in 1923, Phelan roamed the byways of England and wrote of his prison experience in books such as Lifer and Jail Journey and of his vagabond days in Tramping the Toby and We Follow the Roads. Phelan died in 1966.

Education

Mercy Secondary School in Inchicore is an all girls Roman Catholic school under the trusteeship of CEIST. It is located on Thomas Davis Street West, just off Emmet Road. It is member of the Trinity Access Programme (TAP) and the very successful International College for Every Student (CFES) programme. They won CFES School of Distinction in 2015. The school has performed with local and international choirs.

Inchicore College of Further Education is located at Emmet Road in Inchicore. Local primary schools include the Oblates National School, St. Michael's National School, Goldenbridge, and the Irish speaking Gaelscoil Inse Chor.

The restored Model School (Inchicore National School) built in 1853 was a prototype facility for government funded non-denominational primary school education in Ireland.

Religion

The Roman Catholic Church operates two parishes in the area, St. Michael's and Mary Immaculate. Both parishes are administered by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and each has its own church, from which they take the name.

The Oblates' Church features a full size replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, which was opened in 1930. The grotto is 15 m (50 ft) high, 40 m (130 ft) wide and 12 m (40 ft) deep, and is built of reinforced concrete. Pilgrims visit the shrine all the year round. It is especially popular during the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes (February 2 - February 11). The grotto houses the famous Inchicore Christmas Crib.

There are two community centres, St Michael's and BERA. Arus Mhuire was for many years the location of a popular Sunday night dance for teenagers.

The area used to form part of the parish of St. James, later in a union, and served by St. James' Church, but this church has been deconsecrated, and the attached cemetery is closed and overgrown. In 2010, 7 historic parishes, in three unions, all grouped as the St. Patrick's Cathedral Group, were severed from the cathedral and established as the new Parish of St. Catherine and St. James with St. Audeon, served by St. Audeon's Church, Cornmarket, and St. Catherine and St. James' Church on Donore Avenue.

Sport

Soccer
Richmond Park during a St. Patrick's Athletic match.

St. Patrick's Athletic (founded in 1929 and commonly known as St. Pat's) play in Richmond Park. St. Pat's have played in Inchicore since 1930 (save for time spent exiled due to ground redevelopment). They are strongly associated with Inchicore. The club have won the League of Ireland Championship on 9 occasions.

Charles Livingstone Mbabazi while playing for St. Patrick's

Famous St. Pat's players include Paul McGrath (affectionately nicknamed The Black Pearl of Inchicore), Ronnie Whelan Snr., Shay Gibbons, Gordon Banks, Curtis Fleming, Paul Osam, Eddie Gormley, Charles Livingstone Mbabazi, Ryan Guy, Keith Fahey, Kevin Doyle, Christy Fagan, Chris Forrester and Ian Bermingham. St Patrick's Athletic support many junior and intermediate sides based at Inchicore. Chief among these are Lansdowne Rangers, Inchicore Athletic and West Park Albion.

GAA

The 1889 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final between Tipperary and Laois was played at what is now the Inchicore Sports and Social Club.

Liffey Gaels club was founded in 1951. It was known as Rialto Gaels for over twenty years. In the 1970s it changed its name to SS. Michael and James's to reflect the efforts of the teachers and students of these schools in the development of the club. In 1984, a local juvenile club, Donore Iosagain, amalgamated with SS. Michael and James's and the club was renamed the Liffey Gaels. Today their immediate catchment area is Inchicore and the parishes of St Michael's, St James’, St Catherine's, Rialto and Donore Avenue. The Gaels play their home games Liffeyside at East Timor Park on Sarsfield Road in Inchicore.[5]

Basketball

Men, Women, Boys and Girls basketball teams based in Oblate Hall.[6]

Bouldering

Indoor climbing and bouldering centre "Gravity" based in Goldenbridge Industrial Estate.[7]

Other organisations

The Kimainham and Inchicore Heritage Group was set up in 2004. It works in co-operation with Dublin City Council to conserve and promote the heritage of the area.

The Inchicore Ledwidge Society was formed in 1995 to mark the poet Francis Ledwidge's association with the area.

The Order of Malta is close by, with a junior group meeting in the BERA Hall, and a senior group in the Mother McAuley Centre in Drimnagh.[8]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Geraghty, Hugh; Rigney, Peter (1983). "The Engineers' Strike in Inchicore Railway Works, 1902". Saothar. 9: 20–31. JSTOR 23193861.
  2. "Irish Heart Sli na Slainte route map". Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. "Opening of the Grand Canal Way Green Route 3rd Lock to 12th Lock – 18th June 2010". South Dublin County Council. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  4. "Inchicore Railway Works, Dublin 8, Dublin City". Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  5. Liffey Gaels Information Archived 2020-01-27 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Oblate Basketball Club".
  7. "Gravity Climbing Centre".
  8. Order of Malta - Inchicore Archived 2007-11-18 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Whelan, Zuzia. "In Inchicore, Some Think Emmet Hall Should Be a Protected Structure". Dublin Inquirer (23 May 2018).
  10. Nolan, Pat (9 April 2020). "A tribute to legendary former Offaly football manager Father Tom Scully". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
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