The Liffey

One of the outstanding geographical features of the area is the river Liffey.  It meanders across Caragh, leaving a fine valley, abundant wildlife, many architectural sites and an attraction to tourists.

THE NAME.

On the walls of the Custom House, near the mouth of the Liffey, we can find the riverine heads representing the main rivers of Ireland.  The only female head is the one representing the river Liffey.   

… Once upon a time this river was known as RUIRTHEACH, the flashy torrent.  The story goes that LIFE, the daughter of Cannan the PICT and the wife of DELTBANNA MAC DRAUGHT, of the palace of Tara, was travelling from Tipperary to Tara.  She was so impressed with the beauty of the plains of Kildare, through which the river flowed, that she asked that the area be named after her.  Her husband, DALTBANNA would give out no more liquor to the men of Erin until the plain was named after LIFE.  The river would take the same name.

WILDLIFE…

The river and its banks have a very abundant wildlife.  Fish include salmon, trout, pike, perch and crayfish. Otter, wild mink and stoat ply their trades along the banks.  Plants include toothworth, wild garlic, Indian balsam, weasel snout. One of the most recent residents is the mayfly. Cormorants nest along the river while the beautiful kingfisher and the busy dipper are great sights to see.  

BUILDINGS

A river such as the Liffey, with its strategic position in Ireland has attracted bridges, residences and industrial structures close to its waters.

 BRIDGES OVER THE LIFFEY

On roads leading out of Caragh there are two very impressive bridges across the Liffey.  One the way to Naas you have the Caragh Bridge, which is the narrowest and probably the oldest of all the Liffey bridges.  This is the bridge on our school crest and consists of six stone piers with round-headed arches.

A little to the south you find Victoria Bridge.  A plaque on this bridge has the said queen’s name hacked off, but the date of her coronation, 1837, and the builder’s name S. R. Muleada exist.  This bridge sets off one of the most beautiful scenes in all Kildare, where the mature beech frames the light as it dances with the waters of the river, slowing and speeding over waterfalls, diverging to a mill pond, with the majestic four-story mill standing over the lot.  Evidence of a much older crossing exists nearby, possibly to create a crossing to the mill, which existed many years before any bridge was built. 

A few kilometres downstream from the Caragh bridge we find the Liffey flowing under the Grand Canal and the road.  The bridge, which carries the canal and road over the river, is a most interesting aqueduct.  This aqueduct, known as the Leinster Aqueduct, was completed in 1780.

FINE HOUSES…

A number of fine houses are located close to the river in the Caragh area.  This would be expected because of the location of Caragh in relation to Dublin and in relation to roadways leading out of Dublin.

The Mansfield family owned three of the houses.  Barrettstown is a 19^th Century spired and turreted house, while its sister, Morristown Lattin, is a Tudor revival building.  Some years ago "The Irish R.M." was filmed there.

Over in Yeomanstown, an early 18^th century double gable-ended house stands beside the Liffey.  This residence sheltered the Dominicans when they were expelled from Naas.  About a century later they settled in Newbridge, on a site on the banks of the Liffey.  Their fine church, with its Fr. Flanagan artwork, and its co-educational post-primary school are thriving in this present site.

As you pass by Naas on the by-pass you will notice a fine house on your right as you travel south.  This is Osberstown House, once the home of Dr. John Osmonde, the United Irishman, who was hanged in Dublin in 1798.

INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES…

One of the most outstanding architectural pieces in this area is the Cornmill at Victoria Bridge.  This stands on the site of an older mill.  The history of the building can be traced back to the time of Cromwell, when it was ruined.  This evidence shows up when Cromwell’s adventurers were laying claim to the lands of the region.  The building is in the process of being fully restored.  At this point in time most of the parts are back in action, including the 14-foot waterwheel, the huge stones and the gearing.  There are four floors, with fantastic timbers, to the building.  The Cornmill has become known for its artistic and intellectual schools, the owners of same hoping to provide move access to the public in future.