Category: posts

Posted by Rosemarie Mangan 

The Wild Atlantic Way is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. It stretches over 2,500km, from Co. Donegal to Co. Cork, and takes in the unspoiled, rugged west coast of Ireland. Officially launched by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland in 2014, the Wild Atlantic Way has gained a great deal of interest overseas and also here in Ireland.

It has been an incredible tourism marketing achievement and the coastal communities all along the west coast of Ireland are revelling in its success. he attention has also been a little bit strange for those living on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. We have always been here. Our ancestors lived here – they lived off the land and off the seas. We’ve always appreciated the beauty of where we live. We love it here.

Sometimes it seems like the Wild Atlantic Way was invented by the national tourism authorities! But the west coast of Ireland has been here for millions of years. The landscape and the seascape here in Belmullet and around the Erris region have existed for quite some time! The oldest rocks on mainland Ireland (1,753 million years old) can be found here in Erris – at Ceann an Eanaigh [Annagh Head]. The nearby Céide Fields is an archaeological site with the world’s oldest field-systems – older than the pyramids of Egypt. There is evidence on the islands off the coast of Erris to suggest that there was a Bronze Age settlement (2,500 BC to approx 500 BC) and during the Early Christian Period (325 AD – 800 AD approx) there was a settlement of monks. The largest of the Spanish Armada galleons, ‘La Rata’, foundered in 1588 in the waters of Blacksod Bay. All around Erris there are remains of forts and castles that were built in the 1600s. There is a Napoleonic Tower in Glosh, near Blacksod, which was built around 1806. The entire area is rich history and heritage – it is, literally, all around us.

Eddie Hackett, the architect who designed the original 18 holes at Carne Golf Links, was well aware of the area’s authentic beauty and heritage, and he pleaded with the course staff to acknowledge this: “It took nature thousands of years to create this and I don’t want bulldozers to destroy it. Don’t change anything after I’ve gone or I will turn in my grave.” Thankfully, his words have been heeded. Carne Golf Links has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful and rugged courses ever constructed, with wild undulating fairways, towering dunes and cathedral greens. Indeed, the appreciation of the landscape’s natural splendour and its history is reflected in the naming of the holes. The second hole is called ‘Tochair Easpag’ (Bishop’s Path), referring to an ancient pilgrimage path that cuts across the second fairway. The third hole, ‘An Traonach’ (The Corncrake) pays homage to the endangered species of bird that nests here every summer, after travelling from Africa. ‘Log ‘a Sí’ is the name of the eighth hole, which means that this area is a fairy hollow – now you know why the putts don’t drop! And Hole 18 is called ‘Log ‘a Fola’ (The Bloody Hallow), in deference to an ancient burial ground near the tee, where the slain of Ár Iorrais (an ancient battle) are buried.

The history and the heritage of the local area is very much appreciated by the locals, and visitors can learn more in places such as Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre in Eachléim, the Visitor Centre at Ballycroy National Park, and in Áras Inis Gluaire arts centre. You will also learn a lot about our history just from chatting with locals in the pub!

Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have (much to their credit) recognised that it is the people and the places that make the Wild Atlantic Way what it is. Of course, each of the 150 discovery points along the route are beautiful and awe-inspiring in themselves (Erris has no less than 11 discovery points, with a further two on our doorstep), but it is the people who live here that have helped to create such a wonderful experience for visitors.

Here in Belmullet and in Erris, one of the most westerly points of Europe, our location has meant that our area’s beauty has been one Ireland’s best-kept secrets. But that is changing now. Thanks to the Wild Atlantic Way. And also thanks to ‘The Irish Times’ voting Erris as the best place in Ireland to go wild! So you could say that Erris is the wildest place on the Wild Atlantic Way! As for Carne Golf Links, visiting golfers frequently use the word ‘wild’ to describe the course. “A beautiful wild beast!” “It’s a great big monster carved out of the wilderness by God.” “This is links golf as I’ve always imagined it should be played. Wild, rugged and without concessions.” “Wild, untamed links golf … fabulous, but not for the faint of heart!”

The Wild Atlantic Way has been here for thousands of years. Erris has been here for thousands of years. The land at Carne Golf Links has been here for thousands of years. These are not new places. They are very old – teeming with history and heritage. But they are relatively new destinations. Don’t be the last one to discover them. Start exploring and go wild now!

 Copied from the Lucan GC website

Lucan Golf Club was set up in 1897 and was initially located in the Moor of Meath which is between Dunboyne and Leixlip. This course did not last long and the club moved to its present location in 1900. The new course was contained within 3 fields leased from M. Barr and also the area of the present 7th fairway and green.

In 1906 the club leased additional land and invited a Mr. McKenna of Carrickmines Golf Club to lay out a new course incorporating the new land and the existing 3 fields. At a committee meeting on January 5th, 1907 all the recommendations for the new layout were accepted. There was however, concern as to whether the quarry hole would be retained. The quarry hole (the present 7th) was played from a tee box approximately 30 yards left of the bell at the 6th green. The tee box was at the same level as the present clubhouse; the tee shot had to be played over the quarry which contained gorse bushes and trees. In front of the green were two streams and a lane (Tubber Lane).

Further designs to the course took place under Mr. Cecil Barcroft of Royal Dublin Golf Club in 1907. The tee for the 4th (the current 7th) was moved to its present location, and the green was elevated. These designs remained unchanged up to 1980.

At the A.G.M. held in January 1905 the members were informed that the Club had become affiliated to the Irish Golfing Union, and that the membership of the Club was 78 members. At the April meeting, two proposals were put forward:

(1) That the Club should be extended to 18 holes; and

(2) that a new Clubhouse should be built.

This paved the way for very important negotiations, with a number of parties involved.

At a Special General Meeting on 14th September 1905, Mr. Jas. Walsh (who was to become the first Captain of Hermitage Golf Club) proposed the requisition convening the meeting and the following motions were discussed. “That the time has arrived when the club should cease to be proprietary but should be vested in the members”. Agreed unanimously. Following these decisions the members investigated the possibility of purchasing land for a new course. Having negotiated an agreement with a local landowner, a further meeting was arranged with the members. However, at the same time the owner of the course (the Hotel owner Mr.Scallon) submitted new terms to the committee. There was a clear fork in the road for the members.

(Picture:- Evening Press, March 26, 1970)

The Lucan Golf Club’s Vice Captain Michael Gannon and former Captain Joe McDonald look on as the Captain Thomas Martin putts out on the first hole this morning. The Club’s lease expired at midnight.

The following are details of the scheme proposed by the Hotel proprietor as amended by the meeting.

The Club to lease the three fields from Mr. Barr for five years with a clause for surrender at the end of every year on six months notice at £120 per annum. The hotel Co. to expend on additional improvements, extensions of the Club House and retaining wall, totaling a sum not exceeding £100. The Committee to have a voice in this expenditure. The Hotel to lease the Club House and Stable for five years to the Club at one shilling a year. The Hotel to receive all payments from visitors. Mr. Scallon to pay during the continuance of lease the difference between Barr’s rent and £100.00. When the transfer is arranged the Club to take over the links free from debt. The outstanding and any further subscription and entrance fees in the meantime to be handed to Mr. Scallon.

This was adopted and those who supported the other option left to form the Hermitage Golf Club. One of the affects of this was that at future A.G.M.s the members elected a committee of ten members of which five were the nominations of the proprietor (this procedure ceased after 1930).

(Picture:- Our First Barton Cup Winning Team 1971)

L-R front: Joe McGloughlin; Barry Keely; Michael Gannon (Club Captain); Christy Fitzgerald; Eamon Tully. L-R back: Jim Downes; Tony Rogers; Joe Kelly; Rev. J.S.C. Strong; Seamus Malone; C. Burden; Paddy Culligan; Don O’Reilly; Dick Dynan (Hon. Sec).

The First Interclub Competition

Friday April the 19th, 1907. Lucan enters its first interclub competition – the Barton Cup – on 19th April 1907, their opponents appropriately being Hermitage Golf Club. Lucan Golf Club would have to wait until 1971 to win its first Barton Cup, with further successes in 1975 and 1988.

The Long-Running Land Saga

In 1960 the hotel and golf course were sold. At the time the hotel paid the rent for the 4th, 5th and 6th holes to the Department of Agriculture, and in addition, the hotel allowed the club, free of rent, the use of the entire nine holes. However, in 1964/65 the hotel management advised the club with a notice to quit.

Negotiations followed and the club was left with the following ultimatum in order to obtain a further lease of five years:

(a) The rents paid by the hotel to the Dept. for the previous five years to be refunded over a twelve month period;

(b) Make our own arrangements with the Dept. for the leasing of their land;

(c) Pay the hotel £250 per annum plus rates and taxes for the lands comprising the remaining six holes;

(d) Grant the new owners grazing rights on the course.

The lease was signed on October 17th 1966 and the expiry date was 24th March 1970. The signing of this lease gave the club time to see what could be done about its future.

About this time a body was set up by the Government to review the Landlord & Tenant Act of 1931. It became known as the Landlord and Tenant Commission and was chaired by Judge Conroy. It was hoped that when the findings of the commission became law, the future of the club would be ensured. With all this in mind the committee made preparations for how they would approach the whole matter of the club securing a new lease.

Two courses of action were taken:

To influence the findings of the government commission by approaching political representatives at all levels;

To see what could be done at county council level.

As the draft plan for Dublin County was being prepared at this time, a proposal that the nine holes be zoned as a golf course was submitted to the county council. The proposal was that no other type of development could take place on the course during the life time of the Development Plan. This proposal was passed and this was to prove very important in the club’s submission to members of the Dáil and to the commission.

In 1969, the club made a number of verbal approaches to the landlord to draft a new lease but to no avail. On the 18th June 1969 a formal application for the renewal of the lease was made. A reply was not received until 17th September stating that the lease would not be renewed. On the 20th November 1969 a Special Meeting of Members was called in the Four Courts Hotel and the position of the club was outlined to them. The members were advised that the main hope for the club’s future lay in the findings of the commission, whose report was going to be presented to the Government in the New Year. It was more than likely that the report would not become law until later in the year. As the club lease was going to expire on March 24th, 1970, it was imperative that the report went to the Government before then. When the findings became law, they would be retrospective to the date of presentation of the report.

The following is a report in the Irish Independent 4th March:

“Important changes in the leasehold renewal rights and the purchase rights of certain classes of tenant were passed at yesterday’s meeting of the Government, 3rd March 1970. The Minister for Justice Mr. O’Morain, was given the green light to draw up a Bill implementing the changes, and this Bill is expected to come before the Dáil in the next few months.The changes are regarded as so important by the Government, however, that they decided to back date the Bill (no matter how long it takes to pass it) to yesterday. This means that any benefits extended in the new legislation will apply to anyone who was a tenant yesterday, even though his tenancy might have expired last night or today.

The Bill will deal with the question of extending leasehold renewal rights and the right to purchase the fee simple to new classes of tentants. The new classes would include, for instance, sporting bodies of various kinds.

As from yesterday, a sports organisation which holds land for recreational purposes, will have a statutory right to renew its tenancy, provided it has held the land under lease for at least 25 years, or has occupied the land for 25 out of the last 40 years, and provided it has spent 15 times the rent or minimum of £1,000 on the lands.”

March 24th came and went but the club’s future was assured. The recommendations of the Dáil Commission were passed in the Dáil in 1971 and became law and this assured the Club’s future. The securing of the new lease dragged on for a period of years.

In 1975 a further notice was served on the club to quit the lower part of the course. By now the club were prepared to go to court, and after exhausting every avenue open to them to come to an amicable arrangement, the club took the only other option left to them, and went to court. On the 24th of June 1979 the Court ruled in favour of Lucan Golf Club and granted the club a 99 year lease. This was the end of a saga that had commenced on October 17th, 1965.

An 18 Hole Golf Course At Last

As the 1980s approached, at the same time that the building of a new clubhouse was under consideration, the possibility of extending the course to 18 holes began to enter the minds of the members. Both these aspirations were originally considered in 1905.

By 1989 the club had an 18 hole golf course and their own Clubhouse. The first competition played in Lucan as an 18 holes golf course took place in November 1988. The winner of the first competition as an 18 hole golf course was Christy Fitzgerald, and the first winner of a gross prize as an 18 hole golf course was Micko Rankin. The course was opened officially in 1989.

In the 10 years from 1979 to 1989, the club had achieved what the members in 1905 had aspired to. They built and owned their clubhouse and constructed their own 18 hole golf course.

Lucan Golf Club celebrated its Centenary year in 1997. Over the many years of playing competitive golf the winning of a green pennant became an elusive object for the club, but, as faith would have it, the Junior Foursome’s team achieved that feat in Centenary year in the final held in the City of Derry Golf Club.

While the club has a varied history, it is interesting that it was the Junior golfers who achieved this honour and, tellingly, many home-grown players played an integral role in Lucan’s second green Pennant – the Junior Cup – in 2004.

The club continues to go from strength to strength and one can guarantee that there are many more chapters to write on the history of Lucan Golf Club.

This article was sent to me recently by John McLaughlin and was taken from the St Brigid's    GAA web site

Some personal recollections of Castleknock in the 1950s and St. Brigid’s GAA……by Frank Russell

 
Castleknock today is a sprawling urban area with large and small houses, its own Churches, secondary schools, smart restaurants, pubs, and shopping centres, population increases since the 70s and, importantly for those who live there, a relatively easy commute through the Park to jobs in the city and beyond. But, it wasn’t always like that.

In the 1950s, Castleknock was an even smaller village than Blanchardstown, one which we students got the bus from to attend various Secondary schools in the City (there were no day schools for boys or girls in Castleknock or Blanchardstown at the time). Besides Mc Kenna’s pub (now called Myos), there was the Protestant Church, Browne’s petrol station, Molloy’s shop (now Con’s Florist) with its bookies at the rear, the Post Office and assorted red brick houses and cottages on the Main Street, with Twomey’s bungalow and Dr Nelson’s surgery just off it.

It was to the Protestant Church that, in 1942, the remains of Lord Holmpatrick DSO, MC, were borne on an open “scotch cart” pulled by horses from his estate at Abbottstown (photo of Abbotstown House on left). Even the Catholic National Schools closed that day in respect, as Parishioners of all creeds and classes filed behind the cortege. But, as I’ve been told by a young participant that day, Catholics could only go as far as the Church gates and no further! Even the Boy Scouts were told to wait outside the wall. Those were the times that were in it, I guess! Towards the city, on the right, was the Castleknock Dispensary (which served Blanchardstown, as well), located beside the traffic lights at the present day Auburn Avenue. Besides it, in turn, was the Dispensary Doctors residence and the Castleknock Rectors house and one or two other big houses. There was no Georgian Village then or “Millionaires Row”…. just fields. Further on, to the left, was Pecks Lane, then a quiet side road, with Seagraves imposing farm house at its end, at the Navan Road junction.

On the Peck’s Lane itself were nice artisan houses with their big gardens built originally, I think, for Guinness workers. Mick Hartford, probably the longest serving musician in the venerable St Brigid’s Brass Band, lived in one and the Donnelly family of lovely girl’s fame in another. Across the Lane was Jack Fagan’s solitary bungalow backing onto fields. Jack was the ESB meter reader for Castleknock and Blanchardstown. He went about his business on a bike, with a thick ledger strapped to the rear carrier. When he called to read our meter, he would also have a cup of tea and a chat with my parents. So much so that I would wonder how he ever got time to read all the meters in the area. I needn’t have wondered, the ESB bills always arrived on time!

Other than that, the area was, by any definition, rural, with the Race Course (a place of steady employment for those in the tiny villages of Castleknock and Blanchardstown, Mrs. Peard was the Manager), training stables and farms dominating from the Phoenix Park gates all the way to Clonee and spreading outwards towards Dunsink. There were two National Schools (NS), the Catholic one is now a small apartment development at the Beechpark Avenue traffic lights. Beechpark Avenue was the site of the first housing development in modern Castleknock in the late 40s, early 50s. Guard Brown, from the  Blanch station, was one of the first to move in there. The houses leading towards the school from the Blanchardstown direction on the left followed later, by Finns yard.

The Protestant school is still in the same place on the Main Street. Mr Allen was headmaster of the Catholic NS where my brother Paul took up his first teaching post in 1961. There was already a strong Brigid’s tradition in the school even at this early stage. There was a great banter between Brigid’s club mates from Castleknock NS and Blanch NS football teams when we regularly played, with most School underage matches in those days, hurling or football, were played in the “15 Acres”, beside the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. To get there every Saturday morning, we took the bus or walked to the Park Gates and walked to and from the 15 Acres in all weather and played a match in between! We were lucky to get a bus, as motor cars were few and far between then.

Both Blanch NS and Castleknock NS were a natural source of boys who went on to play for St Brigid’s in higher grades (the 1958 Dublin Intermediate Championship winning team nearly all came up through the Primary Schools League system), Castleknock NS had similar progression for its boys and many went on to play for St Brigid’s with great distinction, including Aidan Brown and the McCarthy brothers, Liam, Noel and Brian. All these lads were sons of Gardaí living in the Castleknock area at the time. Other Castleknock St Brigid’s stalwarts were Patsy and Malachy Prunty, whose father was a market gardener, with land beside the Morgan Schools down to the railway line (I can remember going there for parsnips and turnips on cold winter mornings).  Their older brother, Fr Tony, also played with St Brigid’s before he went to Africa as a missionary priest. He was so good that I heard him being described as being “in the Mick O Connell mode of catch and kick”. I think he may have been the Monaghan midfielder of his time.

Continuing with schools, there were, however, three Secondary boarding schools in the Castleknock area, the co-located Morgan and Mercer Schools, now a settled Travellers housing site opposite the entrance to Tom Russell Park and Castleknock College, on the Chapelizod Road out of the village. Because they were boarders, none of the boys played on any local teams and, so, contributed little if anything to the development of games or sports facilities in the general area. Or so it appeared to me at the time. However, in fact, there were some “contributions” forthcoming, if indirectly, one that I well remember from the 50s and the other from the 70s. Every year, usually towards the end of the school term in May, my father, the Blanch NS Headmaster, would dispatch me up to Brother Michael in Castleknock College with an empty sack (the same one used for carrying the team jerseys to matches). Brother Michael, was a tall legendary man known and recognised well beyond the College for his friendly waves as he cycled around on his big black bike. He even made it as far as Blanch, betimes! What Br Michael had was the discarded rugby football boots of the departing boarders, which for some unknown reason they left behind, much to our benefit. It was my job to fill the sack with them and this, in a good year, necessitated a second trip from Blanch (if there was space, I also brought home a lump of dripping from the kitchens for my mother). These boots were then laid out back on the Club floor and given to whatever bootless player turned up in time to collect. They didn’t last long. I remember that there were few actual pairs of boots, mostly lefts and rights. I often wondered where their matches were! Regardless, under the “first come, first served” rule, I retrieved a pair of boots from the College that lasted me for years. These boots were always in good condition and were eagerly sought by us lads from Brigids.

In the 1970s, long after the Morgan Schools had closed down and the boys there moved via the Kings Inns at Blackhall Place to Palmerstown, the farsighted St Brigid’s Management Committee, realising that the “Priests Field” behind the Church in Blanch was not purchasable and also too confined for any further development (the new National School in 1956 was built on a part of it), went ahead and negotiated the purchase of the Morgan Schools 10 acre sports ground  and so began the modern chapter of the St Brigid’s Club development. This sports ground was mostly used for hockey and was as level as a billiard table. By coincidence, Johnny Stewart, a great friend of my fathers and a Club Chairman and subsequent Honorary President, lived beside these grounds when he married (where the all-weather pitch is nowadays). Among the huge attendance at the official opening of this new ground in 1979 was Micheál Mick Scanlon, then the Headmaster of Caragh Lake NS, near Killorglin, Co Kerry.  Mick was an assistant teacher in Blanch NS in the 40s and early 50s, recruited by my father for his teaching skills, no doubt, and with a few footballing skills thrown in for good measure! Mick was one of three St. Brigid’s players who won the Junior All Ireland in 1948 for Dublin (how a Kerryman got on the Dublin team was probably down to the fact that his Headmaster in Blanch NS was also Chairman of the County Board at the time). With him from Blanch on that famous day was Micheal Wall and Jimmy O’ Brien from the Mill Road. A young Kevin Heffernan also togged out for Dublin that day and got “a very good game, son” report from my father. High praise, indeed, from the schoolmaster. (I’m indebted to my older brother, Fr. Tom OFM, for this unique recall, he actually heard it being said!).

While sport was clearly a growing activity in Castleknock in the 50s, there was one area being catered for since the 1920s and that was tennis in Castleknock Lawn Tennis club. The club, to us, was “over the high bridge” at the 12th lock (where the original Castleknock Railway Station and Donnelly’s Railway House pub were located) and was of no great local interest. Except, that is, when, in the 50’s the Club ran a “record hop” every Saturday night and it suddenly became of great interest to us in Castleknock, Blanch and beyond. The Castleknock hops popularity was second only in my memory to the Glasnevin LTC hop, which was commonly known as “the Nevin”. This place was jammed every Saturday night and, in the era of jiving and rock n roll, it was a wonder that anybody could actually move on the floor.  While wildly popular, it was an awkward place to reach from Blanch or Castleknock and even worse to get home from….unless you had a bike!

The growing GAA connection in Castleknock took another turn in the 70s when Myo O’Donnell, the then owner of  “Myos” pub (he bought from McKenna’s in the 60s) told me a story about my father which certainly comes under the heading of its a small world!. He told me that my father, Tom, was his National School teacher in the South Galway village of Peterswell in the late 1920s. A great hurling friend of my father there was Jack Sherry, he said. Jack went on to open his famous pub in Clarinbridge, which bears his name to this day. Peterswell school had been my fathers first teaching post on graduating from St Pat’s Training College in Drumcondra before he returned to Dublin for good. Myo remembered him well and his attempts to get hurling going in Castleknock and Blanchardstown. History doesn’t relate on his achievements there but, my father, a modest Clareman who once turned down a nomination for President of Cumann Luaithchleas Gael, would be pleased to know that his great work in developing the GAA at National School, Parish and County level, would be commemorated by the magnificent GAA Grounds in his name at the beginning of the Five Furlong straight in the Park Racecourse.

*The author, Commandant Frank Russell, Retd., Air Corps, is co-Founder of the LARCC Cancer Centre based  in the  beautiful grounds of the  Franciscan Friary, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath.

This may be a little heavy for a golf blog but some may find it as fascinating as I do myself. Its from a document outlining the big land owners and brief history in the various parishes in the country and is known as

“A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837″.

CASTLEKNOCK, a parish, in the barony of CASTLEKNOCK, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER,   3 ¾ miles (N. W.) from Dublin; containing 4251 inhabitants, of which number, 188 are in the village. Tradition says that this was a royal residence of the Danes, and that, in 1167, Roderick O’Connor encamped here with his Connaught forces, when he led a numerous army to Dublin, where he was solemnly inaugurated King of Ireland, and engaged the Danish residents in his pay. The castle was given by Earl Strongbow to his friend, Hugh de Tyrrell, who was styled Baron of Castleknock. It was taken by Edward Bruce in 1316, and Hugh de Tyrrell and his lady made prisoners, but released on the payment of a large ransom. In June, 1642, the castle was taken for the parliament by Colonel Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, who slew in the assault 80 of its defenders, and subsequently hanged many more; but in November, 1647, Owen Roe O’Nial, and Sir Thomas Esmonde, Bart., at the head of a royalist force, retook it. The Marquess of Ormonde encamped here in 1649, when he threatened to besiege Dublin; and after the Restoration it fell into decay.

The parish is situated on the road from Dublin to Navan, and is intersected by the Royal Canal: it contains 6627 statute acres, the whole of which is arable land. Here are extensive limestone quarries, in which fossil remains are frequently found. On the Liffey are three woollen mills, where friezes, kerseys, lambskins, and Petershams, are manufactured; they have been established nearly a century, and employ above 60 persons during the winter. A factory for worsted and worsted yarn has been recently established at Blanchardstown, which employs between 80 and 100 persons; there are also on the Liffey a mustard and two flour-mills, and at Cardiff Bridge is a small iron-foundry. The parish is within the Dublin twopenny post delivery. Petty sessions are held every alternate Monday at Blanchardstown, where there is a constabulary police station.

The scenery on the banks of the Liffey, towards Lucan, is very beautiful, and the northern side of the valley is celebrated for strawberries. In addition to the viceregal lodge, and the chief and under-secretaries’ residences, the parish contains many seats commanding delightful views: the principal seats are Sheep-hill, the residence of J. H. Hamilton, Esq., situated in a demesne of 500 acres; Farmley, of Charles Trench, Esq.; Knockmaroon, of Colonel Colby; Park View, of A. Ferrier, Esq.; Mountsackville, of J. Hawkins, Esq.; Diswellstown, of C. O’Keeffe, Esq.; Airfield, of R. Manders, Esq., Hybla, of the Rev. G. O’Connor; Scripplestown, of W. Rathborne, Esq.; Dunsinea, of H. Rathborne, Esq.; Scribblestown, of A. Holmes, Esq.; Ashtown, of J. Dunne, Esq.; Elm Green, of F. Dwyer, Esq.; Oatlands, of J. Godley, Esq.; Haymount, of Dr. Marsh; Bellville, of J. Murphy, Esq.; Ashfield, of W. Oldham, Esq.; Cabra, of J. Plunkett, Esq.; and Huntstown, of O. Coghlan, Esq.

The parish is divided into the northern and southern portions, each of which is subdivided into smaller parts: the prebendal or northern part furnishes an endowment for the two prebends of Mullahidart, or “Castrum Knoc ex parte decani,” and Castleknock, or “Castrum Knoc ex parte precentoris,” in the cathedral church of St. Patrick, Dublin. In 1219, the great tithes were appropriated by Archbishop Henry to the priory of Malvern, in Worcestershire, on condition that they should add five monks to their number; and in 1225 the prior and monks granted to the uses of the economy fund of St. Patrick’s cathedral a moiety of the tithes of the manor of Castleknock, renouncing to the archbishop all right to the vicarage and its small tithes and oblations. During the prelacy of Archbishop Luke, a new division of the tithes was made, by which, of the four parts into which they were divided, one was assigned to the prebendary of Mullahidart, one to the prebendary of Castleknock, one to the economy estate of St. Patrick’s cathedral, and one to the priory of Malvern, which transferred its interest to the abbot and convent of St. Mary, near Dublin, in 1468. This last portion having become impropriate on the dissolution of the religious houses, and forfeited by the rebellion of the impropriator, was granted as an augmentation of the vicar’s means: and this division of the tithes still exists.

The living is consequently a vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin, endowed with a portion of the great tithes, and united to the prebend of Castleknock and the rectory of Clonsillagh and curacy of Mullahidart, with cure of souls: it is in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £560, of which £220 is payable to the economy estate, £140 to the prebendary of Mullahidart, and £200 to the prebendary of Castleknock. There are two churches in the vicarial union, one at Castleknock, the other at Clonsillagh; the former was rebuilt by a loan of £1000 from the late Board of First Fruits, and large subscriptions, in 1810, replacing one that had been built, in 1609, on the site of an Augustinian abbey for Canons Regular, founded in the 13th century by Richard Tyrrell, and dedicated to St. Bridget. There is a glebe-house; and the glebe, in two parcels, comprises 19a. 1r. 5p., besides 8 acres which have been taken into the Phoenix Park, and for which, and also for the tithes of the park, the vicar receives £50. 15. per ann. late currency, from Government.

In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Castleknock, Chapelizod, Clonsillagh, Cloghranhidart, and Mullahidart; and containing three chapels, one at Blanchardstown, one at Porterstown (in Clonsillagh), and one at Chapelizod. At Cabra is a nunnery of the order of St. Dominick: the society removed hither from Clontarf about 1820, and consists of a chaplain, prioress, and nuns, besides lay-sisters; it is a respectable ladies’ school, and the sisterhood also instruct from 150 to 200 poor children, who are partly clothed. The nunnery is surrounded with grounds tastefully laid out, and has a neat chapel and dwelling-house for the chaplain. There is another nunnery at Blanchardstown, in which more than 200 poor children are taught. In addition to the parochial school, there are two by the side of the canal, one for boys, maintained by a bequest from the late Mr. Morgan; and the other supported out of the produce of lands devised by a lady named Mercer, and yielding a rent of more than £750 per ann., vested in trustees, by whom 50 girls are maintained, clothed, and educated.

A school for boys and girls at Abbotstown is supported solely by J. H. Hamilton, Esq., of Sheep-hill, by whom the children are also partly clothed; at Blanchardstown is a national school for both sexes; and a free school was built by Luke White, Esq. The late Mr. Tisdal bequeathed a large sum to the parochial schools, which is to be paid after his widow’s death. There are a savings’ bank and a dispensary. The remains of the ancient fortress of Castleknock occupy the summit of a lofty hill. In Knockbrush Hill, which is situated near the Ashbourne road, are occasionally found bones of men and horses, military weapons, and coins. Part of this hill is evidently artificial, and tradition says that it was raised over those who fell on this spot, in 1014, in the widely extended battle of Clontarf. Ancient horse-shoes, spurs, and other relics, have been dug up at Scripplestown. At Abbotstown are some remains of the abbey; and there is also a well dedicated to St. Bridget.

The Spirit of the Game

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Etiquette

Etiquette is a word that’s often heard in relation to golf, more so than with any other sport. But it’s not just about manners, the guidelines for good golf etiquette are there for several very important reasons. Many of them relate to the safety of golfers, many relate to pace of play, and other rules of golf etiquette relate to maintaining the quality of the golf course.

In other words, golf etiquette is an essential part of the game.

Keep It Safe

• Do not swing your club until you know that others in your group are at a safe distance. Likewise, keep your own distance when others are swinging. Be aware of danger and steer clear of trouble.
• When practicing your swing, never swing in the direction of another player. There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and strike a playing partner.
• Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.
• If your ball appears to be heading towards another player or another group, give them a warning by yelling out, “FORE!” (an internationally recognized alert)
• Never throw clubs in anger. In addition to being rude and childish, it could also be dangerous.
• Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn. You probably don’t like waiting on other groups – don’t make other groups wait on you.
• The player who is away or furthest from the hole, hits first in a group. However, in friendly matches or weekend competitions (as opposed to interclub tournament play), this rule can be ignored in favor of “ready play” – players hit as they are ready. All players should agree to “ready play” before it is put into effect.
• Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the full five minutes alloted in the rulebook to look for lost balls, golf etiquette says wave up the group behind to allow them to play through.
• Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. If space opens in front of you, allow a faster group to play through.
• Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting.
• Repair your divots in the fairway.
• Repair your ball marks on the green.
  
• Always rake sand bunkers after hitting
• Avoid taking a divot on a practice swing.
• Quiet, please! Never talk during another player’s swing.
• Do not yell out following a shot (unless you are yelling “fore”). Even if boisterous behavior doesn’t bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.
• Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don’t stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player’s putting line.
• Never walk through a playing partner’s putting line. Your footprints might alter the path of a partner’s putt. Step over the putting line, or walk around (behind) the partner’s ball.
• When a playing partner is swinging or putting, try to stand out of his or her line of vision, and remain quiet during the other golfer’s swing.
• Shake hands with your playing partners after you finish on eighteenth green.
• Do whatever you have to do to keep your phone quiet.
• It’s easy to help out your fellow players, if you just pay attention. One obvious way is looking for lost balls — better yet, watching errant shots so they don’t turn into lost balls. Pick up that extra club left on the fringe or the headcover dropped next to the tee, and return it to its owner after saying, “Nice shot!” 

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  Observe cart rules. Some courses will post “cart path only” signs; others will ask you to observe the “90-degree rule.” Do as you are told

• Keep carts away from greens and hazards. The wheels on carts can damage these sensitive areas
• Observe the safety suggestions posted in golf carts and drive carefully.
• When two players in a cart hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to first ball and drop off that player with his club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, meet up farther down the hole.
• When walking from your cart to your ball, take a couple clubs with you. Taking only one club, then having to return to the cart to retrieve a different club, is a huge time-waster.

Golf Poem

In my hand I hold a ball
white and dimpled, rather small
Oh , how bland it does appear
this harmless looking little sphere. 

By its size I could not guess
the awesome strength it does possess
But since I fell beneath it’s spell
I’ve wandered through the fires of hell.

My life has not been quite the same
Since I chose to play this stupid game
It rules my mind for hours on end
A fortune it has made me spend

It has made me swear and yell and cry
I hate myself and want to die
It promises a thing called par
If I can hit straight and far

To master such a tiny ball
should not be very hard at all
But my desires the ball refuses
and does exactly like it chooses

It hooks and slices, dribbles and dies
and even disappears before my eyes
Often it will take a whim
to hit a tree or take a swim

With miles of grass on which to land
it finds a tiny patch of sand
Then has me offering up my soul
if only it would find the hole

It’s made me whimper like a pup
and swear that I will give it up
And take a drink to ease my sorrow
but the ball knows I’ll be back tomorrow!