The History of St, Luke The Evangelist, Mulhuddart Dublin 15.

The Parish of Mulhuddart is part of the fast growing Area of Dublin 15. Often called ‘Ladyswell’, Mulhuddart Parish was constituted from Blanchardstown Parish in 1993 with Father Leo Quinlan as Parish Priest.  In the early days of development Masses were celebrated in ‘The Canteen’ – a workers’ hut – before transfer to Saint Luke the Evangelist Church in February 1993.  With the strong support of the Area Bishop Dermot O’Mahony, Mulhuddart was constituted a Parish by Archbishop Desmond Connell on August 15th 1993. The same church was refurbished in 2005 to increase its capacity and to provide a much needed Parish Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1930's the Dublin historian the Rev. Myles Ronan, claimed that the name had its origins in Mullach-Chuidbert, Cutbert's Hill. A Saint Cutbert of the early Christian period is identified with Kilmahuddrick near Clondalkin but has no know association with Mulhuddart. A more likely interpretation is Mullach Eadartha, the Hill of the Milking Place. In the Gaeltacht, one can still hear the expression chodail se go h-eadra - he slept until milking time. In ancient Ireland, cows were driven out into upland pastures during the summer months and special places were designated for their milking. If this is indeed the origin of the place name, then it precedes the coming of Christianity to the area.

The Parish of Mulhuddart forms part of the archdiocese of Dublin and has its origins in the 12th century. The process of organising the Irish church into parishes and diocese was begun at the Synod of Rath Bressail in 1111 and completed at the synod of Kells in 1152. Following the capture of Dublin by the Normans in 1170, the parish of Mulhuddart was heavily colonised by Anglo-Norman families. Their influence is still reflected in modern townland names. Buzzardstown, for instance, is called after the family of William Bossard; Tyrellstown is called after a junior branch of the Tyrell's, created barons of Castleknock in 1173. Cruiserath is a combination of the family name of Cruise and the Gaelic word rath meaning an earthen ring-fort.

The river Tolka flows through the village on its journey to the sea and over the centuries, it has cut a wide flood plain through the centre of the parish. The Tolka flood plain has been turned into a new public park between the old Navan Road and the new Castlecurragh estate.

 

Mulhuddart Church Ruins

Above the village, the hill of Mulhuddart affords a fine view the fertile lowlands and distant mountains. On this gently rising slope the first church of Mulhuddart was built. The curve in the cemetery wall indicates that a circular enclosure once surrounded the site and suggests that a church was built here in the early Christian period long before the coming of the Normans. The existing church ruins that we can see today however, are the remains of a later building. The ruins are very fragmentary; they consist of a nave and chancel which probably date to the 14th century and a tower for a bell built onto the western end of the church is a later addition during the 15th century.

 

The church like the adjacent well is dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary. Evidently Our Lady was greatly venerated in the area, as in 1445, Henry V1 of England granted a licence for the founding of a guild or society of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mulhuddart. The members of the guild (both men ad women) were drawn from the wealthier classes and their principal activity appears to have been giving alms to the poor and providing religious instruction. The guild was also responsible for the upkeep of the parish church and the stewarding of the pilgrims who came to Our Lady's Well on September 8th, the feast of the birth of the Virgin Mary; which became know locally as Lady day.

 

Lady's Well

During the 18th century, the holy well that is situated on the road near near the church ruins and graveyard, became the focus of religious devotion in the parish. The well is covered by a masonry structure eight foot long, and six foot wide and six foot in height with an opening at both ends. On the roof are two finial, one a stone carved cross in relief and the other a stone with a niche containing a statue of Our Lady. The well was built over before 1740 apparently by nuns of a Dublin convent. Three inscriptions in the early 18th century lettering are on the front and two sides of the keystone containing the statue of Our Lady:

 

Front: I.H.S. Holy Mary pray for us.

Left side: O Blessed Mother and ever Virgin Glorious Queen

Of the world make intercession for us to Our Lord, Amen.

Right side: Vouchsafe that i may praise Thee, O Sacred Virgin

Obtain for me force against Thy enemies.

 

Parts of these inscriptions are concealed by the various repairs carried out to the structure over the years. Like many wells in Ireland, there are legends associated with the well. One is that a local landowner once filled in the well but the following morning, the water sprang up again on the opposite side of the road. The water is believed to have nine cures including the cure of cuts, bruises, sprains and rheumatism.

In the 19th century, the practice of visiting holy wells went into decline in Ireland. With the ending of the penal laws against the practice of Catholicism, a great programme of Catholic church building began. THere was a general rise in the standard of education and religious practice became more formal.

Today people still occasionally gather at Lady's Well. The custom of leaving little offerings of flowers or money continues, but the great crowds that once gathered here are no more and the simple faith and wild celebrations are a distant memory.

 

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