Huntstown and Littlepace

Huntstown and Littlepace Baile Huntaigh agus Luas Beag
Suburb of Dublin
Huntstown and Littlepace Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°23′13″N 6°22′48″W / 53.387°N 6.380°W / 53.387; -6.380Coordinates: 53°23′13″N 6°22′48″W / 53.387°N 6.380°W / 53.387; -6.380
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	Fingal
Irish Grid Reference	O055383

Huntstown and Littlepace (Irish: Baile an Huntaigh agus An Bealach Beag) is a set of modern housing developments that forms a remote suburb of Dublin city in the county of Fingal in Ireland. It was built in the townlands of Huntstown (easterly)^[1] and Littlepace (westerly)^[2] which are the southern-most townlands of the civil parish of Mulhuddart. It is also a parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. The nearest villages in the county are Ongar, Mulhuddart and Clonsilla along with Clonee in County Meath.

Location and access

The River Tolka is the northern boundary of Littlepace while the N3 national route is Huntstown's northern boundary. Ongar lies to the south of both townlands. Littlepace is bordered by County Meath to the west while Huntsown borders Blanchardstown to the east. The suburb is approximately 14.3 km from Dublin city. It is 4 miles north-west of the M50 motorway. Dublin Bus route 70 connects it to the city centre and Dunboyne. Route 39A connects it to Baggot Street and UCD. Route 270 goes to the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Two railways stations are nearby: Clonsilla railway station and Hansfield.

History

The area was developed during the housing boom in Ireland. It is located near a major Kepak Meats plant and Damastown Industrial Estate. Littlepace stud farm is also nearby. Before the area was developed for housing, it was renowned as a good hunting ground, with some estates and a park named in tribute.

On January 1, 2005, Littlepace was struck by a small tornado, which caused damage to a number of houses and parked vehicles.^[3]

Community facilities

There are two churches of the Roman Catholic Church in the suburb, which constitutes its own parish:

• Huntstown - "Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus" (parish separated from Blakestown in 1981)
• Littlepace - "Mary, Mother of Hope" (a Chapel of Ease in the process of development since 2002)^[4]

There are also two community centres in the suburb:

• Huntstown - located beside the primary school^[5]
• Littlepace - located beside the primary school

There are two parks in the area, Hunters Run Park and Hazelbury Park, where both sports clubs play.

Sport

The area has a GAA club Erin go Bragh and a soccer club Clonee United. The GAA club moved to the area in 2003 and caters for those interested in playing Gaelic Football, Hurling, Ladies Football and Camogie. The soccer club was formed through the amalganation of two clubs Casta Celtic and Little Pacers F.C. in June 2006. Casta Celtic had originally formed in 2002 with Little Pacers establishing themselves in 2000. Santos soccer club are also located in the area. A basketball club, the Ongar Chasers, has been recently set up in Phibblestown Community Centre.

Education

There are two primary schools in the suburb

• Huntstown - "Sacred Heart of Jesus NS"^[6]
• Littlepace - "Mary, Mother of Hope NS".^[7]

The nearest secondary school is in Hartstown - Hartstown Community School, home to over 1,300 students. Another is located in nearby Phibblestown - Colaiste Pobail Setanta; it has over 1000 students and is expected to hold up to 1100 at capacity. It shares a PE hall, the biggest school sports hall in Ireland, with Phibblestown Community Centre.

References