Kildangan
Encyclopedia
Kildangan is a village
in County Kildare
in Ireland
. Cill Daingin translates as "the church of the fort" in Irish. During the Anglo-Norman
settlement of Ireland, Maurice Fitzgerald of Allen, built a castle as part of a defensive line, stretching along the River Barrow from Carlow
to Lea Castle near Portarlington. Near the castle a Church was built and from the Church the locality got its name.
(DED) of Kildangan and Ballybrackan. Between 1996 and 2006 there was a 82% increase in population of the Kildangan DED as the M7 motorway and increased frequency of rail services from Kildare
opened up Kildangan for housing development. Kildangan is approximately 60 km from Dublin, and the majority of the population increase is of commuters employed in Dublin City and the surrounding area. Of the indigenous population Bord na Móna
is the main source of employment in the immediate area. Kildangan Stud, and the agricultural sector also constitute a major source of local employment.
Population figures are for Kildangan DED, covering an area of 1500 hectares approx and containing the Townlands of Ballygreany, Ballyvarney, Duneany, Fennor, Grangebeg, Kildangan and Rathmuck.
Under the Kildare development plan 2005 to 2011, Kildangan Village was designated as a consolidated planning area, as it had experienced significant levels of urban generated growth. The main objective of a consolidated planning area is that new housing shall be predominantly for local needs only.
In the parliamentary return of 1731, Richard Foxcroft, Vicar stated "in the parish of Kildangan there is no mass house built, but the priest of Lackagh say Mass often at the back of the old chapel there".
The present Catholic church was built in 1792 on a site provided by the O'Reilly family.
The church was enlarged in 1849 by Susan O'Reilly, grandmother of Roderic More O'Ferrall.
A brass plaque at the rear of the center aisle reads "In memory of Dominick O'Reilly of Kildangan Castle who was born on the 16th of June 1786 and died on the 15th of July 1845 and of his wife Susan Cruise of Feamore, Co Mayo who died on the 6th of December 1839 and of their children Eliza and Anne who died in early Youth. Their sole surviving child, Susan O'Reilly, has erected this tablet to her parents and sister in affectionate remembrance of their virtues and their love and she entreats the prayers of the faithful for their souls. Their bodies are interred in Kildangan grave yard"
The church tower and bell were added in 1881.
The church is dedicated to "Our Lady of Victories"
Kildangan Education Centre Ltd: A new preschool facility opened in the village in Maarch 2011 before moving into a new premises in the Village Centre Development on August 31 2011. An adult education centre also opened in the adjoining unit which provides adult classes and support classes for second level students.
Kildangan is home to the world famous Kildangan Stud
, which was founded by the More O'Ferrells, on the site of Kildangan Castle, and the grounds of which contain a variety of rare ornamental trees and shrubs, and an abundance of woodland. Kildangan Stud was sold in 1986 to the Maktoum family
, who invested large amounts of money to make Kildangan Stud a world class stud farm.
Racehorse Trainer Michael Halford established a stable in Doneany, near Kildangan in 2008
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Cill Daingin translates as "the church of the fort" in Irish. During the Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
settlement of Ireland, Maurice Fitzgerald of Allen, built a castle as part of a defensive line, stretching along the River Barrow from Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
to Lea Castle near Portarlington. Near the castle a Church was built and from the Church the locality got its name.
Location
- Kildangan is situated on the R417R417 roadThe R417 road is a regional road in Ireland, which runs north-south from the R445 in Monasterevin, County Kildare to the R448 in Carlow, County Carlow....
between MonasterevinMonasterevinSituated 63 km from Dublin on the R445 road, Monasterevin has been relieved of much through traffic by the opening in 2004 of a new section of the M7 motorway bypassing the town on the N7 Dublin to Limerick route...
and AthyAthyThe town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
. The village lies close to the flood plain of the River BarrowRiver BarrowThe Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
, near the County LaoisCounty LaoisCounty Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
border. Kildangan is linked to KildareKildare-External links:*******...
town by means of the Local RoadLocal Roads in IrelandA Local Road in Ireland is a class of public road not classified as a National road or as a Regional road but nevertheless forming a link in the national network of roads...
L3010, which passes through Kildangan Stud.
Transport
- Kildangan railway station opened on 15 March 1909 and finally closed on 1 January 1963. Its last station master was Tommy Maher, who was in charge from 1958 until its closure in 1963
- Kildangan is well served by road, however its location and lack of public transport creates a high car dependency.
Population
Kildangan Village has a population of approximately 555, the vast majority of the population reside outside the village, in the District Electoral DivisionDistrict Electoral Division
A district electoral division is a former name given to a low-level territorial division in Ireland. In 1994, both district electoral divisions and wards were renamed as electoral divisions...
(DED) of Kildangan and Ballybrackan. Between 1996 and 2006 there was a 82% increase in population of the Kildangan DED as the M7 motorway and increased frequency of rail services from Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
opened up Kildangan for housing development. Kildangan is approximately 60 km from Dublin, and the majority of the population increase is of commuters employed in Dublin City and the surrounding area. Of the indigenous population Bord na Móna
Bord na Móna
Bord na Móna , abbreviated BNM, is a semi-state company in Ireland, created in 1946 by the Turf Development Act 1946. The company is responsible for the mechanised harvesting of peat, primarily in the Midlands of Ireland...
is the main source of employment in the immediate area. Kildangan Stud, and the agricultural sector also constitute a major source of local employment.
Population figures are for Kildangan DED, covering an area of 1500 hectares approx and containing the Townlands of Ballygreany, Ballyvarney, Duneany, Fennor, Grangebeg, Kildangan and Rathmuck.
Under the Kildare development plan 2005 to 2011, Kildangan Village was designated as a consolidated planning area, as it had experienced significant levels of urban generated growth. The main objective of a consolidated planning area is that new housing shall be predominantly for local needs only.
Religion
The present Catholic church was built in 1792 on a site provided by the O'Reilly family.
The church was enlarged in 1849 by Susan O'Reilly, grandmother of Roderic More O'Ferrall.
A brass plaque at the rear of the center aisle reads "In memory of Dominick O'Reilly of Kildangan Castle who was born on the 16th of June 1786 and died on the 15th of July 1845 and of his wife Susan Cruise of Feamore, Co Mayo who died on the 6th of December 1839 and of their children Eliza and Anne who died in early Youth. Their sole surviving child, Susan O'Reilly, has erected this tablet to her parents and sister in affectionate remembrance of their virtues and their love and she entreats the prayers of the faithful for their souls. Their bodies are interred in Kildangan grave yard"
The church tower and bell were added in 1881.
The church is dedicated to "Our Lady of Victories"
Business
Business in Kildangan consists of two pubs; The Cush Inn and the Cross Keys, one filling station, one chip shop and a few small home businesses. The filling station supplies every day needs, motor fuel, and a post point. Kildangan post office closed in 2004, and is now derelict.Kildangan Education Centre Ltd: A new preschool facility opened in the village in Maarch 2011 before moving into a new premises in the Village Centre Development on August 31 2011. An adult education centre also opened in the adjoining unit which provides adult classes and support classes for second level students.
Kildangan is home to the world famous Kildangan Stud
Darley Stud
Darley Stud is a Thoroughbred breeding operation owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates. Darley breeds horses in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Dubai, Japan and Australia....
, which was founded by the More O'Ferrells, on the site of Kildangan Castle, and the grounds of which contain a variety of rare ornamental trees and shrubs, and an abundance of woodland. Kildangan Stud was sold in 1986 to the Maktoum family
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
, who invested large amounts of money to make Kildangan Stud a world class stud farm.
Racehorse Trainer Michael Halford established a stable in Doneany, near Kildangan in 2008
Sport and Amenities
- Kildangan has one primary education level school, Kildangan National School. This was extended in 2008, in order to cope with the increase in population.
- Kildangan hall, built in 1940, renovated 1986 has long been in use for dancing, concerts and other forms of recreation.
- In modern times Gaelic footballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
is the main sporting activity, particularly during the summer months, through Kildangan GAA. - Kildangan was the birth place of Paddy FlanaganPaddy FlanaganPaddy Flanagan was one of the top Irish cyclists of the 1960s and 1970s. He came to prominence in the Rás Tailtean. He rode his first in the Rás Tailtean in 1958 and came 11th. The following year he came second. He won in 1960 and again in 1964, the first to win twice...
, on of the foremost competitive cyclists of the 1960s and 1970s. Flanagan won the Rás TailteanIrish Tour - RásRás Tailteann is an annual 8 day international cycling stage race, held in Ireland in May. Around Ireland, the race is referred to as The Rás...
three times: 1960, 1964 and 1975. - After the second world war Kildangan Stud was the home of a very successful cricket club.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
Sources
- John McEvoy,The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 A.D., Éditions du Signe, LTD, Strasbourg France, 2001
- Lewis's Topographical Dictionary (1837)