Ongar

History

The lands now occupied by Ongar, including the townland of Hansfield (Phibblestown), fall within the historical Barony of Castleknock. Following the Anglo-Norman invasion, Hugh de Lacy created the barony in 1177 and granted it to Hugh Tyrrel of Castleknock Castle. The modern district of Ongar is situated within the townlands of Hansfield (Phibblestown) and Castaheany, west of Blanchardstown and near Clonee, close to the boundary between County Dublin and County Meath. For much of the 20th century, a significant part of the area was occupied by the Ongar Stud, an equestrian facility named for Ongar, Essex. In the 1950s, the stud gained prominence when it was purchased by Prince Aly Khan and became a residence for his wife, Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth. Several of the modern residential developments in the area were given the names of famous racehorses. In 2001, the land underwent a major transition from agricultural and equestrian use to a master-planned residential community. Ongar was designed using "New Urbanism" principles, which prioritise high-density living centered on a walkable "Main Street." In the case of Ongar, this design was intended to replicate the functional density of a traditional Irish village, contrasting with the lower-density suburban sprawl typical of earlier Dublin 15 developments, and Main Street was completed already . Pre-existing structures in the area, including the Victorian-era Phibblestown House, were preserved and integrated into the modern landscape. The house, which was built , is included in the Record of Protected Structures maintained by Fingal County Council. Ongar House, now an apartment complex, is a facsimile of the original house, which was destroyed in a fire on the night of 14/15 September 2002. The building, which…