Rathmines and Rathgar East ED 1901

Step back in time. Picture Rathmines and Rathgar East ED 1901. This area wasn’t always the thriving residential district you see today. In 1901 Rathmines and Rathgar East was part of a larger area. This area developed significantly over time. Its history stretches back centuries. The Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century impacted the land. Rathgar became part of the Augustinian Nuns’ grange. The name Rathgar meaning ringfort of Maonas has been used since the 13th century. The area was bounded by the Dodder and Swan rivers. The Swan River’s course was altered over time. It was directed underground. Six centuries after the Anglo-Norman settlement only one family lived in Rathgar. This was the Cusack family at Rathgar Castle. By the mid-1750s development started. Highfield Road’s construction made it possible. Until the 1840s Rathgar remained rural. Market gardeners and dairymen used the land. Many of Rathgar’s street names reflect this rural past. Highfield Ashgrove and Oaklands are just a few examples. Rathmines’ growth influenced Rathgar’s development. The creation of the Rathmines Urban Township in 1847 increased demand. Middle-class Dubliners sought healthy homes near the city. They could easily commute by walking. Rathgar’s expansion continued. Rathgar Road became the main thoroughfare leading to the village centre. The area bordered Rathmines to the north the Dodder River to the south Harold’s Cross Road to the west and Upper Rathmines Road to the east. Today Rathmines and Rathgar is residential. It also contains many businesses and public services. Schools and major hospitals are located here. Think about the lives lived here in 1901. Imagine the families and the daily routines. Imagine the quiet streets before the rush of modern life. Rathmines and Rathgar East ED 1901. A glimpse into Dublin’s rich past.