Spricklestown

What whispers echo through the fields of Spricklestown? We stand on land steeped in history, a townland etched into the fabric of Dublin’s Castleknock barony. Spricklestown, a name as intriguing as the stories it holds, is more than just a plot on a map. It’s a thread in the tapestry of Ward, the civil parish it calls home. The Ward River, a lifeblood of the Broadmeadow River, meanders through this area. It likely gifted its name to both the parish and the townland. Spricklestown is one of seven townlands that make up Ward, each with its own tale to tell. Imagine the River Ward, a shimmering ribbon separating Spricklestown from the barony of Nethercross. Visualize the meeting point of the Ward Stag Hunt, a scene of vibrant camaraderie and echoes of thundering hooves. Travel back to a time after the Norman invasion, when the le Bank family possessed the lands of Spricklestown, then known as la Garde, or the Ward. Picture Nicholas le Bank, granted vast Irish properties by King Henry II himself. In the 13th century, Sir Raymond le Bank, a descendant of Nicholas, conveyed turbary rights in his “tenement near Finglas” to the canons of All Saints. This act, a seemingly small transaction, speaks volumes about the power dynamics and social structures of the time. Fast forward to the 16th century. Spricklestown Castle, the heart of the village, housed Richard Delahide, a respected judge of the era. Later, this very castle passed into the hands of the powerful barons of Howth. Spricklestown, originally a chapelry of Finglas parish, had its own chapel dedicated to St. Brigid, under the authority of St. Canice’s Church in Finglas. While times have changed, the spiritual echoes of these patron saints still linger in the air. Spricklestown. Its Irish name, Baile Spreiceal, rolls off the tongue, a melodic reminder of its Gaelic roots. This townland, a part of the Ward electoral division, is a testament to the enduring power of place. It whispers stories of ancient hunts, Norman settlements, powerful families, and spiritual devotion. As we leave Spricklestown, carry these whispers with you, a reminder of the rich history woven into the very ground beneath our feet.