NOW REPURPOSED AS A COMMERCIAL BUILDING
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The building featured in the property pages of local newspapers as was described as follows: The subject property occupies a high profile location in the centre of Stillorgan village, a coveted south Dublin trading location, which benefits from its ease of accessibility and close proximity to a host of mature south Dublin suburbs. Ideally situated within a short distance of Stillorgan Shopping Centre, adjacent occupiers include Platinum Pilates, Gotham South, DID Electrical, and The Mill House Bar.
Early History:
Ancient origins: While Kilmacud’s name derives from the 7th-century Saint Mochuda, the area’s religious history likely goes back further, with possible connections to St. Brigid’s monastery in Kildare.
Medieval church: A church likely existed in Kilmacud from the early medieval period, possibly resembling typical early Irish monastic churches with a small church, cells, a refectory, and a school.
Decline and Reorganisation: The church in Kilmacud seems to have faced periods of decline and disrepair. By the 17th century, the area was part of the large Booterstown parish, which underwent various boundary changes over time.
Chapel of Ease:
Construction: In the mid-19th century, due to the growing population and the “overcapacity” of the old primary school, Monsignor Forde, the Parish Priest of Booterstown, decided to adapt and enlarge the school building into a Chapel of Ease. This was completed in 1867 and dedicated to SS Laurence and Cuthbert.
Purpose: Chapels of Ease were built to serve areas distant from the main parish church, providing a more convenient place for worship.
Growth and Change: The Chapel of Ease served the Kilmacud community for many years. In 1948, it was amalgamated with the chapel of ease in Mount Merrion. Then, in 1964, Kilmacud became a parish in its own right.
Present Day:
New Church: With the growing population, a new church (St. Laurence O’Toole) was built in 1969, and the old Chapel of Ease was eventually deconsecrated.
Repurposed: The building now serves as a cafe/shop/restaurant, retaining some of its original architectural features. This is a common fate for many old churches, allowing them to continue serving the community in a new way.
Additional Notes:
Location: The old church is located on Lower Kilmacud Road.
Architecture: While the exact architectural style is unclear, it likely reflects the prevailing styles of the mid-19th century, possibly with Gothic Revival elements.
I noticed a sign outside the church indicating that it was Stillorgan Village but when I was young this was very much Kilmacud.
Stillorgan and Kilmacud are essentially intertwined, with a somewhat blurry boundary between them. Here’s how they interface:
Geographically:
Lower Kilmacud Road: This road runs from Goatstown through Kilmacud and eventually meets the Stillorgan dual carriageway (N11). This is a key point of intersection where the two areas merge.
Residential Areas: Housing estates and residential roads in the area often straddle the boundary, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where one ends and the other begins.
Shared Amenities: Residents of both areas often share amenities like shops, schools, and parks, further blurring the lines between them.
Historically:
Parish Boundaries: Kilmacud was historically part of the larger Booterstown parish, which also included Stillorgan. This shared religious history contributed to their interconnectedness.
In Practice:
Overlapping Perceptions: Even locals sometimes disagree on where exactly Kilmacud ends and Stillorgan begins. It’s more of a gradual transition than a clear dividing line.
Postal Addresses: Some addresses might use “Stillorgan” even though they are geographically closer to the centre of Kilmacud, and vice versa.
Key landmarks near the interface:
Stillorgan Shopping Centre: Located in Stillorgan, it’s a popular shopping destination for residents of both areas.
Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club: Based in Glenalbyn, it’s a prominent landmark near the border and draws members from both Stillorgan and Kilmacud.
Essentially, Stillorgan and Kilmacud are closely linked suburbs with a shared history and overlapping community. While there’s no official boundary marked on the ground, the Lower Kilmacud Road and surrounding residential areas represent the main interface between them.