Not To Be Confused With
Boston-based tradsters Inchicore, who did in fact borrow the name of the Dublin district from which lead singer Derrick Keane hails. Our Inchicore is a well-established suburb with an edgy reputation, lying south of the Liffey in Dublin 8.
Like many Dublin suburbs, this one traces its origins to a tiny hamlet that, in this case, once bordered the Camac River marsh at Inse Chaoire (Sheep Island). This ovine nomenclature was apt as Inchicore was traditionally the district where sheep were herded and watered prior to entering Dublin city on their way to market. Eschewing its rural origins, Inchicore later became a predominantly industrial and residential suburb. In the late-19th Century, a major engineering works and the West City Tramway Terminus were located there.
Getting There
The rather evocatively named Luas stop, Black Horse, lies in Inchicore. The Black Horse Inn was built in 1764 in anticipation of the opening of the Grand Canal, as a refreshment stop for the barges. The canal attracted considerable traffic in response to the great boom of the 18th Century, but it is mainly a recreational waterway now. Inchicore is served by a range of Dublin Bus routes including the 51, 51B, 68, 69 and 78a.
Gimme Shelter
Inchicore has a distinctive village atmosphere and is well serviced by local, independent retailers. The housing stock is mature and solidly built and there is relatively good value on offer for canny buyers. A red-brick, two-bed terraced house can be procured for in and around €200,000; four-beds will set you back twice that. Good transport links make this a desirable suburb to live in.
Think Of The Children
The recently restored Model School (Inchicore National School) was built in 1853 on the site of the old Cow and Calf Inn as a prototype for state-funded, non-denominational primary school education. All aspects of school life were highly regimented. Pat David Nolan, who plays Barry in Fair City, attended until fourth class and the schoolyard was used in the filming of Angela’s Ashes. There is also the Oblates primary school; St Michael’s National School, Goldenbridge; and the Irish-speaking Gaelscoil Inse Chor. Inchicore College of Further Education is located on Emmet Road.
Give Me Your Sick
St James’s Hospital is the foremost university teaching hospital in Dublin and is affiliated with Trinity College. The site was previously occupied by a poorhouse and intermittently performed this function over the centuries. When the hospital was established in 1727, both Arthur Guinness and Jonathan Swift were members of the board. Over the years a number of smaller hospitals have been incorporated into this one.
Grog ‘n’ Grub
Pubs are long established and traditional. The Black Lion Inn (originally the Black Lyon) is the oldest – its licence can be traced back to 1734. The Black Horse Inn was a convenient stop for canal barges. Then there’s the Patriot, McDowell’s, the Village Inn, Cleary’s, Timothy Crough’s and the Royal Oak. An unexpectedly Far Eastern theme dominates the restaurants in the locale. Bombay Café, Jamaal 5-in-1 (Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian and Turkish) and the Taj Bistro offer a keenly-priced taste of the Orient. Enoteca Torino is a popular local Italian.
Relieve The Boredom
Pop into neighbouring Kilmainham and visit IMMA and the Gaol. Literary-minded residents might like to join Syllables, the Inchicore Writers’ Group. Be sure to check out the life-size replica of the grotto at Lourdes – 5oft high, 130ft wide, 40ft deep and built of reinforced concrete – located in the grounds of Mary Immaculate Church. This grotto houses the Inchicore Crib at Christmastime.
this sporting life St Patrick’s Athletic, seven-times League of Ireland champions, are based in Richmond Park; celebrated alumni include Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan, Shay Gibbons, Gordon Banks and Curtis Fleming. Inchicore FC was founded in 1972. Liffey Gaels is the local GAA club, located on Sarsfield Road. Rugby is represented by Guinness RFC based in the Iveagh Grounds on the Crumlin Road. Pugilists can head for the CIE Boxing Club. Liffey Valley Athletic Club is also located nearby.
Supreme Rulers
The parliamentary constituency is Dublin South Central and sitting TDs are local girl, Catherine Byrne (FG), Sean Ardagh (FF) and his running mate Michael Mulcahy (FF), Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF) and Mary Upton (Lab). Gay Mitchell (FG) and his brother, the late Jim Mitchell, were born and raised in Inchicore along with their six siblings.
Local Luminaries
As well as many poets (see panel), Derek and Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones were born and raised here. Belfast-born actress, Andrea Irvine has made her home in the suburb. Dublin character Bang-Bang from Inchicore was born Thomas Dudley on April 19th, 1906, in the Rotunda Hospital. Padraig Pearse was imprisoned in Richmond Barracks before his execution in Kilmainham Gaol on the Inchicore Road.
If Inchicore Were a Biscuit...
it would be a Jacob’s Mikado. Long established, an apparently soft surface that belies a rather gritty underbelly and the canal runs through the middle like the ribbon of jam.
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