“Imagine a bustling airfield” That’s how it all began. Right here on Belgard Road. The Belgard Road Plaque stands as a silent witness. It commemorates the opening of this very road in 1981. But its story stretches far back. Much further than the plaque suggests.
Before the smooth tarmac and modern buildings existed. This land buzzed with a different kind of energy. This was Tallaght Aerodrome. It covered 231 acres. World War I pilots trained here. Imagine the roar of engines. The thrill of flight. A safe haven away from the war’s fury.
This airfield wasn’t just a training ground. It was a temporary chapter. A piece of history. The airfield closed in 1919. The land was sold. The sounds of propellers were replaced by the whirring machinery of Urney’s chocolate factory. A sweet transformation from war to confectionery.
The Belgard Road Plaque doesn’t directly mention the aerodrome. Yet it speaks volumes. The road’s construction signifies progress. Development on land with a rich yet often overlooked past. It whispers tales of war. Of industry. Of change. It is a story waiting to be uncovered.
Today the plaque is a simple yet powerful reminder. A tribute to those who built the road. To the engineers. To the visionaries. But it also serves as a subtle reminder of the land’s hidden history. The history of Tallaght Aerodrome. A history written in the dust and echoes of the past. The plaque is more than just metal and inscription. It’s a gateway to a fascinating story. A story of transformation and progress. A story waiting for you to discover its hidden depths. This is Belgard Road. A road with a story far older than its opening date.