Firhouse

Firhouse (irish place name|Teach Giúise) is a small village, along with surrounding housing estates. Until the mid-20th century simply a rather isolated rural village, it is now a suburb in South Dublin County, Ireland. Like adjacent residential, Knocklyon and Ballycullen, and the large Tallaght, it is located close to the foothills of the Dublin Mountains in an area that was predominantly rural a few decades ago. It is situated on the eastern bank of the River Dodder downriver from Tallaght and upstream from Templeogue. Development only began in recent decades, although there were previously a number of mills.

Name

The pronunciation of Firhouse is as contentious an issue as its origin among the local population. The origin of the place-name may derive from the Irish word "fir", which means "of the man" (pronounced "fear" or "fir"). It may also come from a manor that was located at the top of the laneway joining Scoil Treasa and Scoil Carmel. Like much of the rest of the area, this laneway, which led up to the main house, was lined with fir trees. Both pronunciations are equally valid and are used interchangeably.

Amenities

There are three national schools in Firhouse, Scoil Carmel, Scoil Treasa and Holy Rosary. Firhouse Community College [ [http://www.firhousecommunitycollege.ie Firhouse Community College website] ] is one of the secondary schools.

A focal point for the local community is the community shopping centre, based around a branch of Supervalu. There is a church and a community centre with a youth centre and scout den. Also based at the Community Centre is Firhouse Carmel Football Club, which cater's for over 300 schoolboys and girls playing football from the age of 7 years to 18 years. [ [http://www.firhousecarmel.com Firhouse Carmel F.C. website] ]

There is also a Credit Union "Firhouse Credit Union" and also a post office. There are two pubs including The Speaker Conolly & Mortons.

Housing

Firhouse today is comprised of several housing estates in which includes Carriglea, Carrigwood, Glencarrig, Mount Carmel, Killakee, Monalea, Sally Park and Woodlawn Park. Several Dublin Bus routes go through Firhouse. The 49 takes a roundabout route through the area along the Firhouse Road, Ballycullen Avenue, Ballycullen Drive and the Ballycullen Road while the 75 passes by on the Firhouse Road. The 15E and 15F also pass through along Killininy Road. Dublin Bus Night Buses (49N and 15N) serve Firhouse.

Firhouse Village

In 2001 "Firhouse Village Community Council" were given a mandate at a general meeting to have the title "Firhouse Village" restored to the area [ [http://www.firhousevillage.com/ Firhouse Village website] ] . In doing so they obtained EU and National Development Plan grant aid for "Firhouse Village Park". While there is no formal definiton or legal status of "village" in Ireland, by its name and the fact that grant aid was obtained under the Village Urban Renewal Scheme and E.U. funding, some form of recognition by the local authority that Firhouse was a village in its own right can be inferred, as The Village Urban Renewal Scheme 2000-2006 allocated monies only to villages throughout Ireland outside Dublin City and County.

The most significant planning and development issue to concern Firhouse village in recent years has been the decision of South Dublin County Council to grant permission for the rejuvenation of the core area with a mixed development of apartments, offices and retail outlets. The new planning laws that apply to villages that are not served by a rail or Luas line restricted the density of apartments applied for by one of the developers.

ee also

* List of towns and villages in Ireland.

References