Mulhuddart

History

The origins and meaning of the name Mulhuddart are unknown. However, a number of explanations are offered, the most likely being that the name came from the Irish Mullach Eadartha meaning "the hill of the milking place". In ancient Ireland, cows were driven out onto upland pastures during the summer months, and special places were designated for their milking. Many townland names surrounding the village owe their origins to Norman settlers who colonised the area after the Norman capture of Dublin in 1170. "Buzzardstown" is so-called after the family of William Bossard, and "Tyrrellstown" is named after a branch of the Tyrrells, who were created barons of Castleknock in 1173. The townland of Goddamendy is perhaps the only townland in Ireland containing a prayer in its name. Tradition has it that when a priest arrived late for the anointing of a dying man, the dead man's relative cursed the priest, who replied "May God amend thee!" There are a number of antiquities and old houses in the area. These include the ruins of the Church of Mary, Our Lady's Well which was used widely by pilgrims back in the early century, Mulhuddart National School and Parlickstown House. The Ordnance Survey of Ireland Sheet 50 map also shows a graveyard and burial ground at Cloghran. Muluddart Church, the Church of Mary, stands above the village on a hill. The church stands on a curved mound, suggesting it was built on the site of an earlier church, which was protected by an enclosure. The current ruins post-date the Anglo-Norman settlement of the area. In May 2016, a centenary monument was unveiled at the main junction of Mulhuddart to commemorate the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. As well as including the names of the executed leaders, the monument is inscribed with the 1916…