Not To Be Confused With
The 1980s TV show Palmerstown USA. Set in 1935, it presents “a view of life in a small town, as seen through the eyes of a white boy, David Hall, and a black boy, Booker T Freeman, friends who struggle to remain that way in a town where races must co-exist for economic survival,” according to the blurb. The series was based on the real life experiences of Roots author Alex Haley, who did not in fact grow up in suburban Dublin.
History
This area has been known as Palmerstown (Baile Phámar) since the 12th Century when the lands here were held by the Hospital of St John the Baptist Without Newgate, otherwise known as the Palmer’s (an archaic word for pilgrim) Hospital. The name derives from its founder, Ailred the Palmer. In 1539, when the religious houses were being suppressed, the lands and castle were granted by the crown to the family of Sir John Allen the Chancellor.
Property
A number of new housing estates sprang up here during the 1970s. These include the unadventurous Oakcourt Estate and Woodfarm Acres. You’ll pick up a three-bed family residence in Oakcourt Lawn for less than €300k and a one-bed apartment can be had for about half that. The houses in this suburb are on the modest end of the scale; there really isn’t a single dwelling that will set you back more than half a million euro at this stage.
Schools
Founded in 1669 as the Hospital and Free School of King Charles II, the King’s Hospital School is a Church of Ireland, fee-paying, co-educational, boarding and day school with over 700 pupils. Set on a scenic 80-acre campus on the banks of the River Liffey, the school attracts pupils from far and wide and former pupils include Avoca’s Amanda Pratt, comedian Gary Cooke, Mercury-shortlisted singer Lisa Hannigan and RTÉ presenter Kathryn Thomas.
Hospitals
Stewarts Hospital is a charitable foundation with a 140-year tradition in the provision of care for people with intellectual disability. The hospital was the first in the State to provide assistance to this community and currently caters for more than 300 residents, as well as offering wide-ranging services for some 600 day attendees. Several families are supported within their homes through Stewarts Home Support Programme. A very effective early-learning intervention programme for children aged two to five is also in place.
Green Space
There are various playing fields and a few grassy patches near some of the housing estates. Although it’s in neighbouring Ballyfermot, honorary mention must go to the recently refurbished California Hills park for its blinging name alone.
Entertainment
Well there’s always Barney’s Bouncing Castles if you’re in the market for some inflatable fun. Otherwise head for the Superdome on Kennelsfort Road and avail of the 16 lanes of bowling, children’s playdome, snooker and pool. Alternatively there’s Tuesday poker, Friday darts and Saturday live music, all in the Palmerstown House.
Transport
The Old Lucan Road, running through the village, once represented the only arterial route into the city. Now the M50 and N4 provide the suburb with excellent vehicular access to all points on the compass. Palmerstown railway station, which opened in November 1881, shut up shop on 13 April 1940 and public transport now takes the form of various bus routes.
Bars & Pubs
The Deadmans Inn was established as Murray’s back in 1702 and earned its more macabre name in November 1798. The dreaded judge, Lord Norbury, was being driven home to Clane by stagecoach. As he approached Murray’s, the coach driver asked Norbury if they could stop and buy refreshments for his assistant, who had fallen ill. Norbury had other ideas. “Move!” he roared, “or I will have ye flogged and hanged!” The driver acquiesced but as they passed the inn, his helper fell from the moving vehicle; the driver had no choice but to continue on. The man succumbed to hypothermia and his body was laid out at the inn.
Sporting Facilities
There are two local soccer clubs: Palmerstown Rangers FC and Palmerstown United FC. Saint Patrick’s GAA Hurling, Football and Camogie club plays in Glenaulin Park. The King’s Hospital School places a strong emphasis on sport and benefits from an on-campus swimming pool, gymnasium and various floodlit pitches and tennis courts. Off campus, pupils can enjoy the King’s Hospital Boat Club.
Politicians
Green TD Paul Gogarty grew up in Palmerstown and currently represents the Dublin Mid West constituency. This four-seater also elected Mary Harney (Ind), John Curren (FF) and Joanna Tuffy (Lab).
Best-Kept Secret
There is an ancient burial ground containing the ruins of a 13th-century church just behind the Palmerstown Mills building. The church was recently restored by the local authority and is a fine example of a very early pre-Norman nave and chancel church. A distinctive circular area on a small, round hill overlooking the church has always been treated with great respect as it was believed by many to be a ‘lios’ or fairy ring.
The Bottom Line
A quiet and unprepossessing suburb that emerged relatively recently, Palmerstown is not known for its architectural splendor. One quirky feature is that while the village is located north of the N4, the majority of the population lives in sprawling housing estates on the other side of this busy dual carriageway, and therefore tend not to use the village amenities as much as they might.
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