Ever wonder why Brittas is called Brittas? The name “Briotás” comes from the old French “Bretesche”. It means boarding or planking. This usually refers to wooden defenses. These defenses were often part of a castle or motte.
Brittas is a rural village in County Dublin. It sits just north of the County Wicklow border. Brittas is in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. It is about 18 km southwest of Dublin city center.
In 999 Brian Ború defeated Norsemen and Leinster forces near here. This happened in the Slade of Saggart known as Glen Mama. It was the first major Norse defeat on European soil. This led to their ultimate defeat at Clontarf in 1014.
Fiach Mac Hugh O’Byrne stormed through the Slade of Saggart. This was a reprisal attack on the Pale. His troops destroyed outposts in Saggart Tallaght and Crumlin.
Charles Bianconi used horses and carriages to transform public transport in Ireland. His routes covered most of the country. Brownsbarn was a major supply post for his horses. The route through the Slade passed through Brittas to Blessington.
Many believed the Irish Civil War was lost at Crooksling near Brittas. Republican reinforcements were headed to Dublin. A dispatch rider stopped them ordering them back to Blessington.
The Bog Larkin is the ancient name for the Brittas ponds site. It was once a lake. The small island is the only Crannog in County Dublin.
Highwaymen once plagued the road to Brittas. Coaches to Baltinglass and Wexford went through Mount Seskin. They then joined the road at Brittas. The easier route through the Slade was abandoned because of highwaymen.
In 1847 John McDonnell bought 47 acres of land at Brittas. The Dowling family owned the Brittas Inn and sold him this land. McDonnell created the Brittas ponds to reserve water for his mill. He controlled the water flow to his Swiftbrook mill in Saggart.
The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway opened in 1888. The tram stop to Blessington was opposite Dillon’s Pub. This pub was formerly the Brittas Inn. Many people died in tram accidents. The route became known as “the longest graveyard in Ireland”.
The village has one pub. It’s been trading since 1700. It was originally the Brittas Inn owned by the Dowlings. Later it was known as Dillon’s. Now it is called the Blue Gardenia.
St Brigid’s Nursing Home was located just north of Brittas in Crooksling. It originally opened as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in 1911. In February 2024 a major fire caused serious damage to the former nursing home.
Brendan Grace Daniel O’Donnell and Frank Patterson once resided here. Brittas has a rich history. From ancient battles to modern transport it has many stories to tell.