Stillorgan

Stillorgan
Stigh Lorgan
Suburb of Dublin

Stillorgan Shopping Centre, first in Ireland
Stillorgan

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 53°17′20″N 6°11′45″W / 53.2888°N 6.1958°WCoordinates: 53°17′20″N 6°11′45″W / 53.2888°N 6.1958°W
Country Ireland
Province Leinster
County Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
Dáil Éireann Dún Laoghaire
Elevation 58 m (190 ft)
Population (2006)[1]
  Urban 19,840
  Stillorgan electoral area total
Irish Grid Reference O192286
Dialing code 01, +353 1

Stillorgan (Irish: Stigh Lorgan, also Stigh Lorcáin and previously Tigh Lorcáin or Teach Lorcáin), formerly a village in its own right, is now a suburban area of Dublin in Ireland. Stillorgan is located in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, and contains many housing estates, shops and other facilities, with the old village centre still present. Stillorgan neighbours other southside districts such as Kilmacud, Mount Merrion, Sandyford, Leopardstown, Dundrum, Blackrock, Goatstown and Foxrock.

The suburban region defined as the Stillorgan electoral area of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, an area considerably larger than Stillorgan village, had a population of 19,840 at the 2006 census.[1]

Name

It is popularly believed that the name Stillorgan is either a Danish or Anglo Norman corruption of Teach Lorcan, 'the house or church of Lorcan (Laurence)', possibly signifying St. Laurence O'Toole. Another belief is that it is named after a Danish or Irish chief of a similar name: what may have been his burial chamber was discovered in Stillorgan Park in 1716. The original Celtic name for Stillorgan was Athnakill – 'Place of the Church'. In the fourteenth century the manor of Stillorgan was held by the Cruise family, from whom it passed to the Derpatrick family, and subsequently to the Fitzwilliams.

The local Roman Catholic parish church of St. Laurence is usually presumed to be named after St. Laurence O'Toole, or Lorcán Ua Tuathail, who was born at Castledermot, County Kildare in 1128, died at Eu, Normandy, France, on November, and was canonized in 1225 by Pope Honorius. He was one of four sons of an O'Byrne princess and Murtagh O'Tuathail, King of the Ui Muirdeaigh III.[2]

Transport

The N11 road leads out from the city, passing through Stillorgan, towards the major commuter town of Bray. It has bypassed Stillorgan centre since the mid-1970s when the Stillorgan Bypass was opened to the east. The N11 hosts the 'Stillorgan Bus Corridor' (QBC) which runs along the N11 in both directions from St. Stephen's Green to Foxrock. Stillorgan is a major bus interchange and the Stillorgan QBC is the most heavily used in Ireland, featuring the busiest and most frequent bus route, the 46A to Dún Laoghaire. Aircoach provides a direct link to the Dublin Airport via Dublin city centre.

Stillorgan also has a station on the Luas green line, next to the reservoir and Sandyford Industrial Estate. It has a commuter bus link to the shopping centre. The green line is 20 km in length with 22 stops and links Bride's Glen and St Stephen's Green. The Luas follows a line similar in some places to the old railway line in the area. Stillorgan railway station opened on 10 July 1854, closed for goods traffic in 1937 and finally closed altogether on 1 January 1959.[3]

Development

Places of interest

Great Houses

The largest properties are listed in Samuel Lewis’ 1837 ‘Topographical Dictionary of Ireland’:

People

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Third Level

Sports

Stillorgan is home to the Kilmacud Crokes Gaelic Athletic Association club, whose clubhouse and grounds, Glenalbyn, are located directly opposite the shopping centre. It is also home to Leinster Senior League team Lakelands FC, who play out of Nutgrove Park, as well as Stillorgan rugby club.

Stillorgan Ward

Area

The Stillorgan Ward is one of six wards in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. A map showing the composition of Stillorgan electoral area among the six in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown can be seen at the county council website. The Ward includes Clonskeagh, Mount Merrion, Kilmacud, Stillorgan, Leopardstown and Foxrock.

Representation

Following the 2014 local elections there are 6 Councillors:

In the 2009 local election there were 4 seats, won by Gearoid O'Keefe (Ind), Gerry Horkan (FF), Barry Saul (FG) and Richard Humphreys (Lab). In 2004, there were 3 seats, won by Gearoid O'Keefe (Ind), Gerry Horkan (FF) and Louise Cosgrave (FG). In 1999, the candidates elected were Louise Cosgrave (FG), Fiona O'Malley (PD) and Don Lydon (FF). Prior to 1994, the Stillorgan Ward formed part of Dublin County Council rather than Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The 1991 results were Eithne Fitzgerald (Lab), Olivia Mitchell (FG), Larry Gordon (Green) and Don Lydon (FF). The 1985 elections, when the Stillorgan Ward was established, resulted in the election of Eithne Fitzgerald (Lab), Paddy Hickey (FF), Olivia Mitchell (FG) and Don Lydon (FF). Prior to 1985, much of the Stillorgan Ward was part of the Dundrum Ward.[7]

Notable individuals

Notable individuals who lived in the area covered by the Stillorgan Ward include:

See also

Luas

Preceding station Luas Following station
Kilmacud   Green Line   Sandyford

References