Did you know that Corkagh Park was once a bustling place filled with gunpowder mills? Corkagh Park, the sprawling green space tucked between the N7 and the Old Nangor Road, holds a captivating history. The park, previously known as Corkagh Demesne, played host to two grand houses and a series of mills that were crucial for the production of gunpowder. The air was filled with the rumble of machinery, the smell of smoke, and the constant threat of explosions. One explosion in 1787 was so powerful it shook Dublin city.
This dangerous industry provided employment for local residents. The gunpowder mills were in operation for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Arabin family took over the mills in the 1790s. The Finlays, an Anglo-Irish family, acquired the estate in the 1750s and planted the fine trees that still stand today. The Finlays remained the owners of the estate for more than two centuries.
Today, Corkagh Park is a tranquil oasis in the heart of Dublin. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the banks of the River Camac or take a spin on Ireland’s only purpose-built cycle track. The park also offers a playground, numerous sporting pitches, and a picturesque arboretum. The arboretum, the Famine Arboretum, is a reminder of a different kind of history with its focus on trees that can survive difficult conditions.
This sprawling park is a testament to the changing face of Dublin. It continues to stand as a place for recreation and relaxation, but it also whispers stories of a fiery past, when gunpowder was king and explosions shook the ground.