Finglas

Infobox Irish Place
name = Finglas
gaeilge = Fionn-ghlas
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 53px; top: 73px
north coord = 53.390175
west coord = 6.299629
irish grid = O136398
area =
elevation =
province = Leinster
county = County Dublin
town pop = 31,529 [ [http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/2006_prelim_table04.pdf From Census 2006 – Preliminary Table 04 - Includes totals from divisions/districts: Finglas A, B & C North. And Finglas A, B, C & D South, Ballygall A, B, C & D] ]
rural pop =
census yr = 2006
web =

Finglas ( _ga. Fionn-ghlas) is a residential suburb, with a village core. It is on the Northside of Dublin City, Ireland, and mainly lies in the postal district Dublin 11, but also partly in Dublin 9. A couple of kilometres from Dublin Airport, it is on the N2 road, leading to Slane and beyond.

Name

The name Finglas ( _ga. Fionn-ghlas), meaning a clear streamlet, is derived from the rivulet which flows through the village and joins the Tolka at Finglas bridge.

History

Finglas was originally the site of a Celtic abbey, the origin of which has been associated, from early times, with the name of St. Cainnech, or Canice, the patron of Kilkenny, said to have founded it in 560 A.D. The Nethercross from the first abbey can be seen today in the old graveyard. [ [http://www.stcanices.com/pdf/St%20Canice's%20Cross.pdf Parish of St. Canice - The Cross of Nethercross] ] Several primary schools and churches in the area have been named after Canice. According to an ancient legend, the ground on which Finglas stands had been sanctified by St. Patrick, who is said to have uttered from it a prophecy that a great town would arise at the ford of hurdles in the vale beneath. St. Canice is said to have been born at Glengiven near Derry.

Following the Battle of the Boyne, Finglas was used as a camp for William of Orange en route to Dublin city.

20th century onwards

In 1932, Ireland's first commercial airport was set up at Kildonan in Finglas, [ [http://www.historicalaviationireland.com/site/kildonan.htm The Historical Aviation Society Of Ireland - Sites - Kildonan] ] and was the site for the first Irish commercial aircraft, a Desoutter Mark II aircraft "EI-AAD", and the first commercial air taxi service, the Iona National Air Taxis and Flying School. [ [http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/General/kildonan.htm The Story of Kildonan Aerodrome] ]

In the early 1970s and 1980s, Finglas was developed with extensive housing estates, to re-house many north inner-city Dublin residents.

Finglas has grown at a rapid pace in recent years and continues to do so. Large private developments have sprung up around the village, as with most areas of Dublin's north west (e.g. Glasnevin) and west (e.g. Castleknock and Blanchardstown). Many previously dilapidated areas of the village have been torn down and much of the local unused land has been levelled for construction. The old dairy plant in southern Finglas which had been left derelict for many years has made way for several modern apartment blocks, the adjacent land also being used for a similar development namely Prospect Hill. In addition, there are many other residential, retail, and industrial development projects underway.

Amenities

In the village centre are a range of shops, including one of the first-established Superquinn stores, banking facilities and pubs and restaurants. To the north are light industrial facilities.

Finglas is home to one of Dublin's four Driving Testing Centres.

ports

Finglas is the spiritual home of Rugby Union club Unidare RFC, and Erin's Isle GAA Club. Finglas also has many soccer clubs most notably Finglas Celtic FC and Rivermount United.

Transport

Finglas is served by a number of Dublin Bus routes. These include the 40/A/B/C/D, 140, 17A, 83, 104, 220. It is also served by many Nitelink services.

Notable residents

Finglas has been the home of many public figures such as:
*Footballers Ronnie Whelan, Frank Stapleton, Stephen Kelly, Derek Geary, Stephen Geoghegan, Pat Fenlon and Ken Oman who plays for Bohemian F.C..
*Christy Dignam & Joe Jewell, Aslan musicians
*Brendan O'Carroll, Comedian
*Colm Meaney, Actor
*Dermot Bolger, Writer and poet, whose novels "The Woman's Daughter" and "Night Shift" are set in Finglas.
*Spiral, a former "Big Brother" contestant, who wrote, performed and released a song about Finglas
*Séamus Ennis, Uilleann piper
*Dick McKee, Irish Republican Army member
*Martin Doherty, Irish Republican Army member
*Dessie Ellis, Community activist and local Sinn Fein councillor

Town partnerships

* Canton, Massachusetts

References

ee also

* List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland (County Dublin)

External links

* [http://www.dublincorp.ie/traffic/camera/Harts_Corner.htm Hart's Corner traffic watch] .
* [http://www.fcp.ie/ Finglas-Cabra Partnership]