Inchicore

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Inchicore (Inse Chór in Irish) is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland south of the River Liffey and west of the city centre, in the Dublin 8 postal district.

The district was originally a village just outside Dublin city until it was swallowed up by the expanding city more than a century ago. It still has a village-like atmosphere with a wide selection of shops (some still family owned), including a butcher, hardware shop, Eurospar, Xtravision, chemist(s) and bakery. Several well stocked ethnic shops add to the multi-cultural feel. The village is served by several pubs, an Indian and an Italian restaurant and café.

Inchicore is presently undergoing considerable redevelopment, with the building of a small hotel and several apartment blocks. This is increasing the density and diversity of the population. Inchicore is also the hometown of David Carroll, a much loved local personality who emigrated to the United States in 1987 with his good friend Kenneth Lougheed of Drimnagh.

1 Overview
2 Schools
3 Sports
- 3.1 Football (soccer)
- 3.2 GAA
4 External links

[edit] Overview

Inchicore is home to two Catholic Churches: the Church of Mary Immaculate (built by the Oblates), and St. Michaels. It is also home to two rival community centres; St Michael's and BERA.

Behind the Oblates Church is a full size replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, which was opened in 1930. The Grotto large -- 50' high, 130' wide and 40' deep. It is built of reinforced concrete. Pilgrims visit the shrine all the year, but it becomes particularly busy for the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes (February 2 - February 11). The bowels of the grotto house the famous Inchicore Crib.

Inchicore is bounded on its western side by the Grand Canal, an 18th century mode of transport, as well as the Luas, Dublin's 21st century tram system which opened in 2004. To the north between Inchicore and Phoenix Park is Memorial Park, which was built to commemorate Irish who fell in World War I and World War II.

Inchicore Works is the headquarters for mechanical engineering and rolling stock maintenance for Irish Rail. Established in 1844, it is the largest engineering complex of its kind in Ireland with a site area of 73 acres (295,000 m²).

Inchicore's Kilmainham Jail was the scene of the execution of many Irish Republican Army leaders captured after the Easter Rising in 1916. Inchicore was the hometown of Timothy Coughlin, one of the three anti-Treaty members of the IRA who in 1927 assassinated Kevin O'Higgins.

Goldenbridge Cemetery, where former President of the Executive Council W. T. Cosgrave is buried was the first Catholic cemetery built in Dublin after the Catholic Emancipation.

[edit] Schools

Local schools include The Oblates N.S.,St. Michaels N.S, Goldenbridge and The Model School. ].

[edit] Sports

[edit] Football (soccer)

St. Patrick's Athletic (founded in 1929) play in Richmond Park. St. Pats have played in Inchicore since 1930 (save for time spent exiled due to ground redevelopment) and are strongly linked with Inchicore within Irish football circles. The club have won the League of Ireland Championship on 7 occasions. Among the famous players to have played for St. Pats in Inchicore are Paul McGrath (who was given the affectionate nickname The Black Pearl of Inchicore), Ronnie Whelan Snr., Shay Gibbons, Gordon Banks, Curtis Fleming, Paul Osam, Eddie Gormley and Charles Livingstone Mbabazi. St Patrick's Athletic have nearly 20 schoolboy and schoolgirl sides, all based in Inchicore. Richmond Park has hosted many ladies and underage international games as well as cup finals at all levels of football in Ireland.

There are many junior and intermediate sides based in Inchicore. Amopng these are Lansdowne Rangers, Inchicore Athletic and West Park Albion.

[edit] GAA

In 1889 both the All Ireland Hurling and the All Ireland Football finals were played in Inchicore. It was the first time a venue in Dublin had hosted the finals. Dublin won the hurling final, while Tipperary won the football final.