Mayor launches Finglas Heritage Trail

A NEW heritage trail developed with the support of local community groups in Finglas was officially launched last week.

Dublin Lord Mayor, Naoise � Muirí, launched the trail, which covers the history and development of Finglas since early Christian times. The trail is marked with information panels and plaques installed at key historical points around the area.

Speaking at the launch the lord mayor described Finglas as

“a place of famous storytellers, home to global music acts and the breeding ground for county and international sporting stars

?.

“It’s a hidden gem with a long and rich history and a story to tell,

? he added.

“I am delighted to promote this history trail as a further example of the positive contribution Finglas has made to Dublin life.

?

RTE’s Samantha Labreri – who co-wrote

‘Finglas: A People’s Portrait’ with Northside People photographer, Darren Kinsella – was guest speaker at the launch which was followed by a reception in St Canice’s Girls School on Seamus Ennis Road.

The new trail takes in famous local landmarks like St Canice’s Catholic Church, the Dick McGee Memorial in Finglas Village and St Canice’s Graveyard as well as lesser known spots such as King William’s Ramparts, Farnham House and Gate Lodge and St Patrick’s Well.

Dublin City Council’s Finglas Area Office is offering scheduled walking tours along the Heritage Trail throughout the year but it can also be enjoyed by anybody at anytime by using downloadable maps detailing all the relevant information.

Many people think Finglas didn’t exist before the

’50s when Dublin Corporation began building thousands of houses for the city’s growing population.

However, a tour of the trail captures the area’s early history that includes Christian saints, St Patrick and St Canice, and an important Viking burial site which lay just to the west of the medieval church of St Canice.

St Canice’s Graveyard and Abbey also has much history attached to it and it contains the remains of many notable people associated with Finglas over the centuries including Elizabeth Wollstonecraft-Bishop, aunt of Mary Shelly, the author of Frankenstein, and a distant cousin of Princess Diana.

Officials say the trail was developed with the vision, enthusiasm, determination and support of the Finglas Historical Society, local businesses, the local community and staff of Dublin City Council.