Ready to explore a place with a name that echoes through time? Deanestown awaits us. It is a townland steeped in Dublin’s history. The Irish name for Deanestown is Baile an Déanaigh. This gives a sense of its ancient roots.
Deanestown sits within the Electoral Division of Blanchardstown ED 1901. It is part of the Civil Parish of Castleknock. The Barony of Castleknock also encompasses it. Deanestown’s location is precisely 53° 23′ 41″ N, 6° 22′ 8″ W.
Deanestown isn’t huge. But it holds its own place in the landscape. Nationally, it ranks as the 39626th largest townland known. Within County Dublin, it is the 485th largest. Deanestown borders other townlands.
Deanestown’s story is linked to Waterville. This housing development lies within Deanestown. Waterville’s story began between 2002 and 2008. It continued between 2013 and 2016. The developers built it on the edge of the Abbotstown demesne. Blanchardstown village is close by.
Granbrind Ltd developed the area. They acquired the land from the Eastern Health Board. Before that, the Barons of Castleknock owned it. So did the Baronets of Abbotstown. The barons HolmPatrick also held it. These lands were the main seat in the civil parish. It formed part of the barony of Castleknock.
The Tyrell family owned Abbotstown Demense until around 1400. Thomas Sergent and his wife Joan Tyrell lived here then. Joan was the sister of the last Tyrell Baron of Castleknock. By the 17th century, the lands belonged to Sir John Dungan. He owned a thatched house, cottages and an old church at Abbotstown. Later, the Clements family owned Abbotstown. They were ancestors of the Earls of Leitrim.
The Falkiner family also lived on these lands. They became the “Baronets of Abbotstown” in 1812. The Falkiners married into the Hamilton family. The Hamiltons owned lands in Sheephill. In 1832, the Hamiltons combined both estates. They built Abbotstown House as the family seat.
Queen Victoria ennobled Ion Trant Hamilton as Baron HolmPatrick. Abbotstown House remained their seat until 1947. James Hans Hamilton, the 3rd Baron HolmPatrick, lost land. This was due to a Compulsory Purchase Order. It allowed for building James Connolly Memorial Hospital. Later, Lord HolmPatrick sold the remaining lands. The Marine Institute of Ireland acquired Abbotstown and Sheephill. The institute stayed at Abbotstown House until 2005. Then, the National Sports Campus acquired the house. In the late 1990s, half the health board’s lands were sold. This financed the redevelopment of the hospital buildings.
The development of 1500 homes was called Waterville. This was due to its nearness to the River Tolka. Waterville sits on the Tolka’s northern banks. It covers about 50 acres. The Navan Road borders it to the south. The Snugborough Road is to the west. The National Sports Campus playing fields lie to the north. Connolly Hospital is to the east. Waterville is about 9 km from Dublin city centre. It is 2.5 km from Castleknock railway station. Each area in Waterville is privately owned. They are each named after an Irish coastal promontory or island.
Many Waterville developments were built around a central green. The overall design merged with established forestry and parklands. Waterville Park spans 25 acres. It features a lake with swans and ducks. The lake has an island. There is another lake above it. The park also has a playground.
Consider Deanestown more than just a name on a map. It is a tapestry woven from ancient roots. It connects families and historical events. Deanestown stands as a reminder of the ever changing story of Dublin.