Saint Mobhi Archives - NORTH OF THE RIVER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY 4 OCTOBER 2024

When the Irish State was founded in 1922, there was a clamour to repudiate naming new roads after absent British landlords or heroes of the Empire, as had been the norm, and instead look for names with a more locally rooted and native ethos. And so it was in the 1920s that the new red-brick homes being built around here began to carry names associated with the ancient monastery. There’s Iona Road, for example, but St Mobhi had a few named after him, and one of these is St Mobhi Drive.

History of Mobhi Park and St Mobhi

Mobhi Park is part of the larger Griffith Park, which spans 7.5 hectares along the River Tolka between Glasnevin and Drumcondra. Originally a landfill site, Griffith Park was developed in stages from the 1930s to the 1950s. The section near Mobhi Road was completed in the mid-1950s. Today, Griffith Park is known for its fine trees, flower gardens, riverside walks, playground, and outdoor gym.

Mobhi Park is a 16-acre park located in Glasnevin, Dublin 9. It was named after St. Mobhi, who founded a monastery in the area in the 6th century. The park is home to a variety of trees, flowers, and shrubs, as well as a number of benches and picnic tables [I did not notice any]. It is a popular spot for walking, jogging, and picnicking.

St. Mobhi: St. Mobhi was a 6th-century Irish bishop and abbot. He founded a monastery in Glasnevin, which is now the site of Mobhi Park. St. Mobhi is also known for his work as a scholar and poet.

History of Mobhi Park: The park was originally part of the grounds of St. Mobhi’s monastery. In the 19th century, the monastery was demolished, and the land was sold to the Dublin Corporation. The park was officially opened in 1929.

Features of Mobhi Park: The park features a number of interesting features, including:
The Tolka River: The Tolka River flows through the park, providing a beautiful natural setting.
St. Mobhi’s Well: This well is said to have been used by St. Mobhi to baptise his followers.
The Battle of Glasnevin: The Battle of Glasnevin, which was fought between the Vikings and the Irish in 1014, took place near the park.
The Bloody Acre: This area of the park is said to be the site of the most intense fighting in the Battle of Glasnevin.
Connection to a larger park system: Mobhi Park is part of the Tolka Valley Park, a network of parks and green spaces that stretches along the River Tolka.

The Battle of Glasnevin might not have the same ring to it as the Battle of Clontarf, but some of the most intense fighting took place in the Dublin 9 location around what is currently still called the ‘Bloody Acre’ in Glasnevin. Brian Boru began his advance across the Tolka from Glasnevin, and it is thought that the great king may have even died on the Dublin 9 side of the river.

Glasnevin has plenty of history, as testified to by the wonderful cemetery which offers a “who’s who” of Irish history walk and has become a renowned tourist attraction. But the first proper settlement here was organised by Saint Mobhi in the sixth century when he set up a monastery at Glasnevin before his death in 544. The monastery is reputed to have been attended by St Colman and St Columba of Iona.