Oldbawn
| Oldbawn | |
| County Dublin | |
|---|---|
 Ruins of house and tower in Oldbawn | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | O090271 |
| Location: | 53°16’60"N, 6°22’0"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 13,480 (2011) |
| Post town: | Dublin |
| Postcode: | D24 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | South Dublin |
Oldbawn (or Old Bawn) is a small suburban area of County Dublin, now within Tallaght on Dublin's southside. Formerly a small village in its own right, it is situated between the Sean Walsh Park and the River Dodder.
A bawn is the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house. It is the anglicised version of the Irish word bábhún, meaning "cattle-stronghold" or "cattle-enclosure".
History
Old Bawn was the site of an estate for several centuries, and later of a small village, whose population reached over 380 in the mid-19th century to the Current numbers of near 14,000.
McInerney Homes began construction of the Old Bawn Housing Estate as it lies today, in the 1970s.
Old Bawn House
Old Bawn House was built in 1635 by Archdeacon William Bulkeley, son of Launcelot Bulkeley the Archbishop.[1] It was situated where the St. Maelruan's school now stands. It was one of the first Irish houses that was not built purely for defence. Oldbawn had extensive pleasure gardens that survived, albeit in a neglected state, until 1900.
Old Bawn House was damaged in the rebellion of 1641, but restored shortly afterwards. The house was designed in an "H" shape with high pointed gables and twelve chimneys. Its internal features included a chimney piece and a carved oak staircase, both of which are now in the National Museum of Ireland. The chimney piece reached to the ceiling and depicted the building of the walls of Jerusalem, dating back to 1635. There was also a lodge house built to the front of the house. Old Bawn House was enclosed by a wide Ditch|fosse with a drawbridge. To the south of the house there was a large garden laid out with walks, ponds and trees.[2]
The house passed to Lady Tynte who leased it. In 1830, Old Bawn was bought by the McDonnell family who established a paper mill behind the house. The house fell into disrepair during the early 1900s, and was used as a storehouse when the lands were being developed in the 1960s. Eventually Old Bawn house was demolished, and is now the site of the Maelruans Primary School.
Amenities
Amenities in the area include Tallaght Stadium, Aylesbury Shopping Centre, Oldbawn Shopping Centre, a number of parks, and Bohernabreena Pitch & Putt club.[3]
References
- ↑ Old Bawm: Ask About Ireland - Pre-1850 houses
- ↑ "Historic gem revealed in park?" (in en-gb). https://www.echo.ie/tallaght/article/historic-gem-revealed-in-park. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
- ↑ "Living & Working in Dublin - TallaghtHospital". https://www.tuh.ie/Careers-Education/Living-Working-in-Dublin/. Retrieved 2020-12-08.