CLONTARF

In 1868, the parish of Clontarf contained the following places:

"CLONTARF, a parish and post town in the barony of Coolock, in the county of Dublin, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles to the N.E. of Dublin. It is a police and coastguard station. The parish lies along the N. shore of Dublin Bay, is highly cultivated, and contains the villages of Dollymount and Clontarf-Sheds, the latter a favourite watering-place. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Dublin, value £168, in the patronage of the crown. The original church was destroyed during the wars of Elizabeth; the present one was built in 1609. It is a neat structure, containing several monuments, and the family vault of the Vernons, of Clontarf. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to those of Coolock, Santry, and Drumcondra, and there are two day schools in the parish. The village is a delightful suburb of the city of Dublin, situated on the shores of the bay; it contains numerous handsome villas, and several hotels for the convenience of visitors who resort to this spot during the bathing season. A lead mine here penetrates beneath the sea. This village is celebrated as having been the scene of Brian Bora's (Brian the Brave's) death and victory over the Danes in 1014. The village was again destroyed in 1641. A priory, dating from 550, was founded here, which cane into the possession of the Knights Templars, and a Carmelite monastery now occupies the site. Clontarf Castle, recently burnt, was one of the most perfect specimens of antiquity within the British Isles; it passed from the hands of the Knights Templars into -those of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John, and was restored in 1835. The present building was erected a few years ago by J. E. V. Vernon, Esq., the proprietor of the manor. It is a handsome mansion in the Elizabethan style."

"DOLLYMOUNT, a village in the parish of Clontarf, in the barony of Coolock, in the county of Dublin, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles E. of Dublin."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018