Dublin
Stillorgan
Stillorgan (Irish: Stigh Lorgan, also
Stigh Lorcáin and previously Tigh Lorcáin
or Teach Lorcáin), formerly a village in its
own right, is now a broad suburban area of Dublin in
Ireland. Stillorgan is located in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
County, and contains many housing estates, shops and
other facilities, with the old village centre still
present. Stillorgan neighbours other southside districts
such as Kilmacud, Mount Merrion, Sandyford, Leopardstown,
Dundrum, Blackrock, Goatstown and Foxrock.
The suburb had a population of 15,894
at the 2006 census.
The first shopping centre to be built
in Ireland opened in Stillorgan in 1966. To enable the
construction of the centre, many of the original early
19th century cottages were knocked down. They extended
from the Christian Brothers' school Oatlands College
to the end of the Dublin Road and up the Lower Kilmacud
road. The rubble was used to fill in and level the lands
that are now Pairc De Burca, the playing field of Kilmacud
Crokes. Discussions have been ongoing for many years
about expanding and updating the centre. It was planned
to be redeveloped by Treasury Holdings in 2008. The
'Blakes' site has also planning permission for a multi-story
apartment complex with some commercial units. The Leisureplex
area to the Library is also due to be redeveloped.
One of the most prominent architectural
features is the large 18th century obelisk designed
by Edward Lovett Pearce for the second Viscount Allen;
Pearce resided in Stillorgan in a house known as The
Grove, which was demolished to make way for Stillorgan
Bowl (now LeisurePlex).
The present St. Brigid's Church of Ireland was built
in 1706 on the site of an earlier church, thought to
have been linked to St. Brigid's Monastery in Kildare.
The current Rector is Rev. Ian Gallagher.
A large open reservoir, called Stillorgan Reservoir,
is situated near the Sandyford Industrial Estate. The
water is piped from the Vartry Reservoir near Roundwood
in County Wicklow.
Stillorgan's oldest pub is Bolands, latterly styled
Bolands on the Hill. In its older manifestation it was
a local drinking refuge of many South Dublin writers,
among them Brian O Nuallain (Myles na gCopaleen) and
Maurice Walsh. The Ormonde Cinema is located next door.
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