Finglas is situated 5km north of Dublin city centre and only 2km from Dublin International Airport, along the N2. Finglas offers a mix of architecture with the original village now surrounded by many new developments. It has grown from a small traditional Irish village to a large suburban residential area of Dublin. Read on for more…
The name Finglas means a clear streamlet, getting its name from the tributary that flows through the village and later joining up with the River Tolka.
History of Finglas…
Finglas is steeped in history and culture and dates back to St Canine in 560AD who founded a Celtic Abbey here. St Canine was the patron saint of Kilkenny and later became the patron Saint for Finglas. It’s said that St Patrick visited the area and sanctified the land stating that a great town would emerge from here one day, and indeed that is exactly what happened. The village of Finglas developed around the Abbey growing in size over the centuries. William of Orange camped in Finglas on his way to Dublin city following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
St Canice’s Graveyard/Nethercross…
The graveyard itself has nearly a thousand graves with 1647 being the earliest dated gravestone, however both Catholics and Protestants were buried here long before that. To visit you’ll need to get the key from the cottage beside the steps to the graveyard on Barrack Street.
On first entering the graveyard you’ll be met by the 3 metre tall Nethercross. The monks of St Canice’s Abbey erected the Nethercross in the tenth century; it’s made from granite and has a circular top with spiral carvings. The Nethercross has an interesting history with its resting place in St Canice’s graveyard not being its original home. The cross was firstly erected in the Abbey grounds itself, however the local people dismantled the cross in the 17th century when they heard of Cromwell’s army approaching. Here the cross lay buried for the next 160 years.
The Rev Robert Walsh was vicar here in the early 19th century and he showed a great interest if finding the cross, he finally found out where the cross had been hidden from an elderly Finglas man who’s Grandfather had been present at the burial of the cross some 160 years previous. The cross is now situated in the south east corner of St Canice’s graveyard; you can enter from the Wellmount Road just off the dual carriageway. Just north of the cross is what remains of the ruins of St Canice’s church.
St Patrick’s Well…
The ruins of St Patrick’s Well are thought to date back to the pagan era. The Well was used as a healing place in the earlier centuries; it was renowned for curing ulcers and sore eyes. People came from all over Ireland to be healed by the water from the Well, they were advised to both drink from the Well and put some water from the Well on the affected area. It was given its name and possibly its healing powers! Due to the Patron Saint of Ireland, St Patrick, he rested and drank from the Well when he visited Finglas.
A self-professed Turkish Doctor exploited the Wells healing properties in the 1700′s. People came from all over to drink from the Well and be healed at the spa. It was finally realised that the Turkish doctor was in fact a Kilkenny man and the healing spa was subsequently closed. The well is now surrounded by a gate and fence, but you can still visit and see some of the remarkable statues situated around the well. It’s situated to the east of the vicarage.
Interesting Buildings…
Unfortunately many of the older buildings and castles in the Finglas area were destroyed over the Centuries, however some amazing 18th Century properties still remain today such as Rosehill House.
Rosehill House…
This house is both stunning to look at and steeped in history. Rosehill House is thought to have been designed by Edward Lovett Pearce (1699-1733), a well-known Irish architect of the 18th Century who later became known as the Father of Irish Palladian architecture. It’s a remarkable Georgian three-storey house with a tower to the side. The drawing room is an interesting place as it’s oval in shape and has wood carved cornices on the ceiling, unusual for Georgian times.
It was home to many influential families over the years; the prominent Dublin Bayley family lived here in the late 1800′s and you can see the family vault in St Canice’s graveyard. Rosehill is now home to Finglas Cabra Community Development Partnership. It’s situated on the Finglas Road.
Other properties to watch out for in Finglas are St Helena’s, a spectacular Georgian Manor House situated in St Helena’s Road, South Finglas, and the well-known Gofton Hall formerly known as Eagle Lodge, which was originally a lunatic asylum.
How to get to Finglas…
By car: If driving to Finglas you can take the N2 (Finglas Road) which can be accessed off junction 5 of the M50 motorway.
By bus: the following bus routes operate in the Finglas area - 104, 140, 17a, 220, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40n, 88n.
For up to date timetables check out the Dublin Bus website.
Famous People…
Finglas has been home to many famous people throughout the years, you may bump into two very popular footballers on your travels Frank Stapelton or Ronnie Wheelan. Also keep an eye out for Irish actor Colm Meaney and Bono lead singer with the world famous band U2.
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