Milltown, Dublin

Milltown Baile an Mhuilinn
Suburb
TheNine Arches Viaductover theRiver Dodder
Milltown Location in Ireland
Coordinates:53.311°N 6.248°W/53.311; -6.248
Country	Ireland
Province	Leinster
County	Dublin
Population (2011)
•Urban	1,973
Irish grid reference	O168302

Milltown(Irish:Baile an Mhuilinn)is a suburb andtownlandon thesouthsideofDublin,Ireland.Milltown was the site of several working mills on theRiver Dodderand is also the location of the meeting of theRiver Slangwith the Dodder. It is located adjacent to other suburban areas such asWindy Arbour,Ranelagh,Rathmines,Dartry,Clonskeagh,andDonnybrook.

History

The townland of Milltown, also known as Milton,was so named from at least the 14th century.Both Milltown andClonskeaghwerelibertiesof Dublin following the 13th-centuryAnglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.

In his 1903 work,A History of the County Dublin,the historianFrancis Elrington Balldescribes Milltown as being the "scene of industrial enterprise" from a "very early period" and that as "early as the fourteenth century the existence of a mill is mentioned".Ball also states that "mediaeval quarrying operations carried on at Milltown" provided stone for repairs to Dublin'sChrist Church Cathedral.

By the 18th century, the area was home to several mills - including two corn mills, an iron mill and paper mill.A formermill racewas taken from just above theweirlocated 100m downstream from theNine Arches Viaduct.It ran towards a mill which was located in what is nowDodder Park.The remnants of this mill can still be seen.

Old Milltown Bridge, also known as Packhorse Bridge, reportedly dates to the 1600s

Historically used as afording pointon the River Dodder,a bridge was built at Milltown in the 17th century.This bridge, known as "(Old) Milltown Bridge" or "Packhorse Bridge", is recorded in theRecord of Monuments and Placesand classified as aprotected structure.A newer bridge was later built at Milltown,and by the early 20th century the older structure was used only for pedestrian traffic.The newer Milltown Bridge was built on the site of the former ford, which was in use up until at least the late 18th century.

Transport

Milltown is marked by a landmark 19th-century railway bridge across the river, which was part of theHarcourt Street railway linewhich ran fromHarcourt StreettoBray.This bridge, and sometimes the area immediately surrounding it, became known as the 'Nine Arches'.Milltown railway stationopened on 1 May 1860 and finally closed on 31 December 1958. On 30 June 2004, the bridge was re-opened for theLuaslight rail system which runs fromBroombridgetoBride's Glen.There is also a Luas stop a few yards north of the former station.

Milltown is also served byDublin Busroute 44 which runs fromDublin City University(DCU) toEnniskerry.

Sport

The area is still associated withShamrock Roversfootball club, who played there atGlenmalure Parkon land leased from theJesuits,from 1926 until 1987 when it was controversially sold to developers. Milltown Golf Club celebrated its centenary in 2007.

Administrative area

Milltown is located along the River Dodder, which in this area, marks the boundary between the two council areas ofDublin City CouncilandDún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council.Milltown lies in both, with the village falling within Dublin City.

Education

Alexandra College,aChurch of Irelandgirls' school,is located in Milltown, as is theAhlul Bayt Islamic Centre,the onlyShiamosquein Ireland.

TheJesuitshave a long presence at Milltown with a secondary school for boys,Gonzaga Collegeon its lands at Milltown Park. The Jesuit Training College evolved into theMilltown Institute of Theology and Philosophya recognised college of theNational University of Ireland.TheNational College of Industrial Relationswas also founded by Jesuits on its lands in Milltown, which eventually moved to theIFSCbecoming theNational College of Ireland.

The Franciscan Brothers of theThird Order Regular,noted for their having secretly taught the boys of the Catholic population for decades in underground schools, had formed a monastery and school here, after the relaxation of thePenal Lawswhich had forbidden Catholic education. In 1818 they transferred their monastery toMountbellewinCounty Galway.

Mount St. Mary's was formerly the seminary of theMarist Fathers,students for the priesthood would study theology with the Jesuits in Milltown Park, and also study for degrees in Arts or Science in UCD, while based in Mount St. Marys.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• Old Moore's Almanac,an almanac which has been published since 1764 by Theophilus Moore, who ran a classical academy at Milltown