Clondalkin
Clondalkin is situated on the banks of the River Camac about seven miles south west of Dublin city. It has been inhabited for nearly 7,000 years. Around 630 A.D. a monastery was founded in Clondalkin by St. Cronán Mochua. The Round Tower was part of this monastic settlement though it was built much later around 832 A.D. St. Cronán is the patron saint of Clondalkin and his feast day is August 6th.
Clondalkin was originally called Cluain Dolcáin - meaning Dolcan's Meadow.
Clondalkin was chosen as the site of gunpowder mills twice in the18th century - both blew causing much damage and injury.
Moyle Park School, now owned by the Marist Brothers, was originally the residence of the Caldbeck family who were renowned for their genorosity to the people of Clondalkin. The family gave money directly to the poor and were also responsible for helping establish the Presentation Convent. The Caldbecks gave £2,000 towards the setting up of a convent of nuns for the education of the young. It opened in1857 where Scoil Mhuire is today.
Clondalkin possessses an old holy well on Boot Road. This well is known as St. Bridget's Well. St. Bridget, the patron saint of Co. Kildare, is reputed to have baptised local people there. The well is also supposed to have curative properties. It is said that if a girl with eye problems bathed her eyes with a piece of rag dipped in water from the well, and then placed the rag on the thorn tree beside the well, her sight would improve.
To find out more information about the parish, click on http://clondalkin.dublindiocese.ie
In 630 A.D. a monastery was founded in Clondalkin by St. Cronán Mochua. The Round Tower was part of this monastic settlement though it was built much later around 832 A.D. Together with St. John's Church of Ireland the Round Tower formed this monastery, but they were divided in 1760 when Tower Road was built. St. Cronán is the patron saint of Clondalkin and his feast day is August 6th. Cronán was a pupil of St. Kevin's of Glendalough. The tower is 27.5 m. high and it is built of local limestone with a granite doorway.
Round Towers G.A.A. Club:
The Round Towers G.A.A. Club in Clondalkin is the second oldest club in Ireland. It was formed in 1884 when Michael Cusack, one of the founder members of the G.A.A., visited Clondalkin. Cusack was from Clare and the Cusack stand in Croke Park is called after him.
Round Towers website address: