Clonsilla and Porterstown Heritage Society

21/06/2026

Abbotstown House interiors, taken circa 2016.

Thanks to Gillian from our committee, for these wonderful photos.

Fingal Heritage

17/06/2026

It's almost the longest day of the year, so why not join CPHS on an evening Wildflower Walk, along the canal?

Places are limited, so please rsvp, to book a spot. Refreshments afterwards too 🎉

Fingal Community Development Office

27/05/2026

Clonsilla Heritage Guide - Restocked today!

We have now shared an incredible 750 copies of the guide with the community 🎉 Delighted to see it flying off the shelves.

If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you will find copies in both CarePlus Pharmacy Clonsilla (beside Lidl) and Spar Weaver's Row.

Fingal Heritage

18/05/2026

Lovely photos of Caveen (Abbotstown), taken today.

Photo credit Sharon Campbell-Shaw from our committee.

18/05/2026

If anyone wants to work with CPHS on this project, we'd love to hear from you!

St Mary's has so many interesting stories!

Email [email protected]

Submissions for our Dead Interesting-Tales from Fingal's Graveyards should be a max. of 500 words, with a photo of the person or gravestone-please remember that if its a non-historic person then family permission should be attained.
Deadline 03 July 2026
Fingal County Council
Fingal Public Participation Network - FPPN

16/05/2026

Judging season is fast approaching, so lend a hand, if you can 🎉

15/05/2026

Porterstown Castle & The Bishop's Arch

The late David Hughes told me about an ornate archway, leading to a courtyard, that used to be on the Porterstown Road. He called its demolition, in the 1960s (?), an act of cultural vandalism. David called it "The Bishop's Arch", possibly as it was north of Annfield (home of Archbishop John Troy),

However, it transpires that this archway may have been the entrance to Porterstown Castle (now the site of the Canal Banks development). So what do we know about it?

We know that the townland of Porterstown most likely dates from the Anglo Norman invasion (1200s) and was named for the Porter family. We know Richard Porter died in 1472, leaving a considerable fortune. We know that the lands transferred to the FitzLyons family, also in the 1400s.

In the 1500s, the land transferred to the Finglas family, through the marriage of Alson FitzLyons and Roger Finglas. She had previously been married to Edward, Lord Howth. Alson's 2nd husband was very prominent, in the military campaigns of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

In 1641, Porterstown was owned by an Edward Dowde. The Civil Survey, drawn up during Cromwell's time, described Porterstown as "100 acres: 80 Arable, 14 Pastur and 6 Mead." The survey also states that there was one small castle, 2 or 3 cottages, an orchard and garden; and some Ash trees. During Cromwell's time, Porterstown was occupied by Colonel Richard Lawrence, of Chapelizod.

With the Restoration of Charles II, to the throne (1660), ownership changed again. Porterstown Castle was occupied by Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery and was considered the most important dwelling in Castleknock.

Towards the end of the 1700s (around the time the canal was being built) "an arched gateway beckoned the former importance of the place, but even then all other trace of the dwelling occupied by Lord Orrery had disappeared".

We know that Porterstown House, on the opposite side of the road was a later structure, but this arched gateway, associated with Porterstown Castle, existed til relatively recently.

Can anyone remember what the arch looked like?

Sources: FE Ball's History of Dublin, referencing Austin Cooper's Dublin.
The Civil Survey by Robert C Simington
Map; TCD digital collection.
Image: Soar satelite (1966)

Fingal Heritage

14/05/2026

Be part of Explore Fingal!

Calling all tourism, food and drink businesses, who can help welcome tourists to Dublin 15!

Places are filling up fast for FCC's upcoming workshop next week, in Blanchardstown. Please spread the word to any businesses who would benefit from being part of this initiative.

"At this event you’ll be introduced to the Explore Fingal brand and brand guidelines. You’ll get access to brand assets and leave with a better understanding of how your business or organisation can be part of Explore Fingal

In order to include as many businesses as possible we ask that you register just one staff member per business."

Thursday 21st May, 10-11.30am. Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=I_zccnF1lEWBVK_iwL3qmJg6wMpWOQVDutTPEUNeTgRUOVBZMVJFRERUVjFWOTdHSEVJTEtCOUJNMC4u&route=shorturl

11/05/2026

Clonsilla has such a strong history of market gardening/ food production, right down to Sprout Alley!

Please get in touch, if you have stories to share 🥦🍓🍐🥕

Fingal Food Heritage-Oral History Project
For centuries, Fingal has been the most important food-producing area in Ireland. Fingal Heritage, in partnership with the National Folklore Collection at UCD, is launching a study into a major oral history of this essential aspect of our collective heritage.

Stories can be your own, or memories handed down in families and communities. We are especially interested in hearing stories that are not always captured, such as accounts of small, home-based businesses and family life. So, if you were growing or harvesting, gathering or foraging, hunting or fishing, jam-making or egg selling, going to market or greengrocering, please get in touch!

If you are interested in participating in this project, or would like to recommend someone you know, please get in touch at [email protected] to provide your contact details. Our lead researcher, Dr Deirdre Nuttall (pictured) will contact you to arrange an interview.
For more on Fingal’s varied food heritage go to https://www.fingal.ie/blas-fingals-food-heritage

Supported by The Heritage Council this project is an action of the Fingal Heritage Plan 2024-2030
Fingal County Council
Love Lusk Portmarnock Community Association Garristown Community Council Swords Men's Shed
Lusk Community Council
The Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society
Ballyboughal Community Council Clonsilla and Porterstown Heritage Society Blanchardstown-Castleknock History Society Skerries MillsSkerries History in Photos Rush Tourism Rush Community CouncilCastleknock Tidy Towns Donabate Portrane Community Council Newbridge House and Farm Malahide Historical SocietyFingal Food Circle Howth Peninsula Heritage Society Naul Community Council Balrothery Village Balbriggan Community Council Balbriggan Heritage GroupOldtown community councilLoughshinny Community Association

11/05/2026

CYMS Hall, Porterstown Road

Originally the site of Porterstown chapel (demolished) and currently the home of Porterstown Scouts, the building was originally built as a hall, run by the Catholic Young Man's Society.

Last week I learnt that local lady, Anna (Nancy) Stapleton (neé Dennis) passed away and I got this message from her grandson Larry.

"Hi, my Nan passed away last week and I learned something new on Friday (the day of the funeral).

She met my Grandfather at a dance at the Porterstown Hall (now the scouts Hall) in the early 50's. Both were musicians and my Nan was a late replacement for a pianist who was ill.

By any chance would you have any photos or information about dances (frequency etc) that would have been held there?"

A lovely story of how Nancy Dennis met Bill Stapleton and, if anyone has any memories of the dances at the hall to share, we'd love to hear them!

Photo credit: RIP.ie and Tony Reynolds " History of Castleknock"