Clontarf
History of the Name
Cluain Tarabh, an ancient, proud and honourable name has been handed down to us in writing for twelve hundred years. Direct translation gives us The Meadow (Cluain) of the Bull (Tarbh). Tradition holds that the name originated with the noise the waves of the sea created as they beat along the coast – the noise resembled the bellowing of a bull. Basically Clontarf comprises of three distinct districts
1)The medieval village of Clontarf, represented today by Clontarf Castle and the Clontarf Avenue area.
2)The eighteenth century fishing village known as Clontarf Sheds which was centred where the present Vernon Avenue meets Clontarf Road
3)Dollymount
Christianity in Clontarf
It is generally accepted that the first church in Clontarf was one founded in 556 by the abbot St Comgall was later to establish the great monastery at Bangor in County Antrim. No records of any significance have been preserved regarding Comgall's Clontarf Church between its foundation and the Anglo-Norman invasion. But the establishment at Clontarf would fit into the general pattern of small early Irish monasteries. Since the (Irish) Christian era began with St. Patrick in 432 the monastic institutions were the chief agencies in civilising and evangelising the people. Comgall and his disciples' stated aims in Clontarf were 1) to care for and turn to Christianity the heathen Celts, a pastoral people dwelling in their simple huts in Moynalty (an old place name that includes most of present day Fingall) and 2) to train and send forth messengers of the gospel to different parts of Europe. We are not certain of the site of Comgall's church but it very likely stood on the site occupied by Clontarf cemetery on Castle Avenue.
Today's Churches
There are in all six active churches in the Clontarf area. Clontarf has three Catholic parishes, each with it's own church. The three parishes roughly represent the three Clontarf areas mentioned above. 1) The medieval church represented by St. Anthony's Church, 2) the old fishing village of Clontarf Sheds represented by St. John the Baptist Church and 3) Dollymount is represented by St. Gabriel's Church.
The present Church of Ireland Church on Seafield Road dates from 1866 the Presbyterian Church near the 'skew' bridge dates from 1890 while the Methodist church at St. Laurence's Road dates form 1867.
Famous Events
Many and remarkable were the events that occurred in Clontarf over the years – with many famous names in evidence.
The most famous event associated with Clontarf –  the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 – didn't take place in Clontarf at all. Generally speaking the battle was fought between the Liffey and the Tolka Rivers. But the final rout of the Danes took place at the fishing-weir of Clontarf – a spot on the river Tolka inland of today's Luke Kelly (or Ballybough) bridge.
1843, in Ireland, was Repeal Year, with Daniel O'Connell at the height of his powers. The last of his Monster Meetings was fixed for Conquer Hill, Clontarf on October 8th 1843. But in what has become known as “O'Connell's Bluff” the meeting was called off and the agitation for the repeal of the Act of Union lost its momentum.
On Sunday July 16th Erskine Childers arrived at Howth with a cargo of rifles. At the junction of Howth and Clontarf Roads a confrontation between the marchers and the army and police occurred. A mêleé cum free for all took place but the Volunteers outwitted the Crown forces and escaped with the rifles. Among those directly involved or associated with organisers on that day were Tom Clarke, Arthur Griffith, Roger Casement, Eoin Mac Neill, Cathal Brugha, Padraig Pearce, Eamonn DeValera and Thomas McDonagh.
In Clontarf Town Hall on January 16th 1916 at crucial meeting of its Supreme Council the IRB voted to in fact go ahead with the 1916 rising. The Town Hall was later converted into (the old) St. Anthony's Church and is a very significant Clontarf building.
Places to visit in Clontarf
1) Clontarf Castle
After the Norman invasion of Ireland Hugh de Lacy granted the lands of Clontarf to Adam de Phepoe who built the first castle in Contarf in 1172. Eventually, in 1649, the Castle Estate fell to John Vernon who came to Ireland with Cromwell. The Vernons were to remain in possession of Clontarf Castle for almost 300 years. Today's castle dates from 1837 and with it's Norman, Gothic and Tudor styles it serves as a magnificent hostelry with a baronial atmosphere and is well worth a visit.
2)St. Anne's Park
St. Anne's Park, in many ways Dublin City Council Park's Department showpiece is a central ingredient to the character of today's Clontarf. The park enhances the district with its serene placid presence and supplements in it's own special way Clontarf's two other great natural amenities – The Bull Island, and the sea itself. The park, from 1835 to 1925, was the home of a succession of members of the Guinness brewery family – from whose colossal wealth the park was developed. St. Anne's is, today, used extensively for recreational purposes – and one of it's most charming attractions is the magnificent Rose Garden.
3)The Bull Island
Probably the most documented of all the Islands around our coast, the unique Bull Island should be visited by all visitors to Clontarf. A world biosphere reserve and bird sanctuary, its proximity to Dublin City (and over a million city dwellers) makes it, and especially its extensive beach (Dollymount Strand) a favourite haunt for Dubliners.
4)The Casino
The enchanting structure on the Malahide Road known as  The Casino is probably Ireland's most perfect building and perhaps the best surviving example of 18th Century Sicilian Doric Architecture in the World. It is the only remaining memorial in the area to Lord Charlemont and the exquisite, unique and ornate building (completed in 1773) was first built as Charlemont's showpiece. The Casino had fallen somewhat into ruin and decay in the last century but has been meticulously and painstakingly restored to it;s original splendor by the Office of Public Works. It is fair to refer to the Casino as 'one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture ever created.'
5)The Crescent
The quaint little semi-circular street of Georgian houses connecting the Howth and Malahide Roads known as “The Crescent” is Clontarf's most famous Street. The houses were deliberately built in that style and arrangement by the builder (Charles Ffolliott) to spoil Lord Charlemont's view of the sea. Charlemont – whose Marino Mansion stood nearby – tried to prevent the houses being built by charging exorbitant dues on building materials the builder was obliged to take through the Lord's tollgate. The builder eventually brought the materials across Dublin Bay by barge and the Crescent was nicknamed “Spite Row.”
Famous people who have lived at The Crescent include Bram Stoker, William Carleton and Martin Haverty and the well known Boland Fianna Fáil family.
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