Didn’t Thomas O’Neill have a knack for names? Rydalmere, a suburb of Sydney, owes its moniker to him. But the story behind the name of Rydalmere is a little more nuanced than you might expect.
Rydalmere, formerly known as Field of Mars, sits about 21 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district. It falls within the City of Parramatta. It is also part of Greater Western Sydney.
Let’s dive into the history of Rydalmere. Before European settlement, the Burramattagal clan of the Darug people called this land home. Burramattagal means place where the eels lie down. This refers to the Parramatta River. The Darug people had a deep connection to the river. They fished for eels and other food.
Phillip Schaffer, a superintendent of convicts, received the first land grant in the area in 1791. He named his property the Vineyard. Later, Hannibal Hawkins Macarthur bought the Vineyard. Bishop John Bede Polding then acquired it. He renamed the mansion Subiaco.
But how did Rydalmere get its name? Thomas O’Neill, a property speculator, bought part of the old Vineyard Estate in 1866. O’Neill named the subdivision Rydal. He took inspiration from Rydal in the English Lake District. He added “mere,” an Old English word for lake. Thus, Rydalmere was born.
O’Neill owned an estate named Rydalmere before buying the Vineyard estate. Exactly where his first Rydalmere property was located is not known.
O’Neill later advertised land on the Rydalmere estate in 1886. The subdivision included residential blocks bounded by Victoria and Park Roads. It also included Pine, Wattle, and Myrtle Streets.
Today, Rydalmere is a mix of residential and commercial areas. The western side is primarily light manufacturing and service industries. The eastern side is mainly residential.
One notable landmark in Rydalmere is the Female Orphan School. It was established in 1800. It cared for orphaned and abandoned children.
Rydalmere has several parks. These include Rydalmere Park, Eric Primrose Reserve and John Carver Reserve.
Rydalmere is also home to Western Sydney University’s Parramatta campus. It also features the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church.
Rydalmere’s past includes a former railway station on the Carlingford line. It closed in 2020. The Parramatta Light Rail project is underway. It will improve connectivity in the area.
Rydalmere ferry wharf provides access to Parramatta River services. RiverCat ferries travel the route due to shallow waters.
So, as we explore Rydalmere, remember its origins. From the Darug people to Thomas O’Neill. Rydalmere has a rich and diverse history. It is a suburb with a story to tell. It has evolved from farmland to a residential and commercial hub. Its name echoes the beauty of the English Lake District.