Dublin Gazette: Spotlight on Churchtown

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  SOUTH 8 November 2018

HISTORY • COMMUNITY • SHOPPING • PEOPLE • BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT ON

CHURCHTOWN Village

DublinGazette Would like to thank the following companies that supported our Churchtown Village Supplement Back in the winter of 1967, a young Italian entrepreneur called Tarcisio Marsella arrived in cold, wet Dublin with an ambition to make a life for himself. He opened a traditional Italian chip shop Chipmongers, right next to the Bottle Tower pub. Fast forward over 50 years and the chipper is still a hub in the local community.

Churchtown Medical dates back to the 1980s where founder Dr Michel Mehigan started the practice on Braemor Road in 1983. In 1990, he purchased a building on Landscape Road that had been ‘Betty Whelan’s Beauty Salon’ and he built a thriving practice that grew by word of mouth on his compassion and dedication.

As you enter Meadows & Byrne on 7-9 Braemor Road in Churchtown you discover timeless interiors and clothing that will lend lasting style to your home and wardrobe. If you are looking for housewarming gifts, exquisite dinner sets, tableware, bed linen, cushions and throws, counter stools, or high-quality bath towels, call to Meadows & Byrne for any occasion.

Local estate agents OMD are based in Dublin 14 and they are no strangers to great residential properties in the Churchtown area. They have been in and out of homes in the neighbourhood for about 20 years. Sometimes twice. Along with their professional qualifications, they have developed a sixth sense about the market.

Idyllically situated on what were once the fertile plains that swept down to the river Dodder, The Glenside pub is located in close proximity to the villages of Churchtown, Rathfarnham, Dundrum and Rathgar. Brothers Paul and Tom Mangan purchased the pub in 1988 put in place a traditionally radical transformation complete with authentic thatched roof and artefacts.

Treacys Supervalu Churchtown is a vital part of the village and has been serving the people in the community for over 30 years. Owner and MD Jim Treacy employs over 200 local staff and works very closely with all local communities and generously sponsors many fundraising events held in the area each year.

As a local TD and Minister in Dublin Rathdown, Josepha Madigan is delighted to see such a thriving small business community in Churchtown. This community is benefiting residents and bringing new investment to the area. It is for this reason that she is delighted to have her constituency office in the heart of Churchtown.

Dundrum Electoral Area is represented by full time Independent Councillor Seamas O’Neill.

He is working with Shane Ross TD Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and colleagues Cllr Kevin Daly and Cllr Deirdre Donnelly.

In just six short years, Macari 66 on Braemor Road in Churchtown has established itself as one of the premier chippers in the South Dublin area. Owner Antonio Macari’s family is steeped in the tradition of Irish Italian chipper culture.

His father opened his first chipper in Harold’s Cross in 1966 and Antonio paid tribute to his family’s legacy by naming his chipper Macari 66.

Established 17 years ago, Howards Way restaurants have stood the test of time. Managed and run by an extraordinarily skilled team, they operate under the experienced guidance of Declan and Majella Howard, who put the success of the highly acclaimed eateries down to an integral passion to serve, from the ground floor up.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

CHURCHTOWN Village

Dublin Gazette is proud to bring you our Special Supplement on Churchtown Village. This 10-page feature is jam packed with interesting and exciting stories from long ago, as told by people who lived in the village in a simpler, more innocent era.

Churchtown is located between Rathfarnham and Dundrum, with its own unique history and identity.

You will enjoy stories recalling events from years ago, as well as how 89 year-old Doreen Cosgrave raised her family in the village as she spoke about life in Churchtown in a different time.

You will also read about many of the iconic buildings and structures that are well known in the area and their fascinating history.

You will also learn about one of the most famous business families from the area, who first brought us the delights of ice cream and who provided us with irreplaceable memories as well.

Do you know about all the famous people, from politicians, to Hollywood stars, who have a connection to Churchtown?

Well the following pages will bring you back to a time long gone, with delightful memories of a village that was still part of the countryside, but within easy reach of an ever expanding capital city.

You will also get to read about some excellent value provided by your local shops and businesses, where you can pick up a bargain, while supporting your local retailers.

Enjoy!

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CHURCHTOWN Village

Doreen’s fond memories of a great village CHURCHTOWN is home to one of Dublin’s most respected building families, the Cosgraves.

Dublin Gazette caught up with 89-yearold Doreen Cosgrave and her son Martin to reminisce about Churchtown and to hear local stories on how it used to be.

Doreen was born in March 1929 and grew up on Lower Churchtown Road. She comes from a family of six. She went

to school in St. Anne’s in Milltown and remembers having to walk to school.

She said: “It was a lovely school. It was a long walk, about half a mile from upper Churchtown to Milltown, but everyone did it. It was only on a wet day I wished I could get the bus.”

Doreen was very fond of ballet from a young age. At the age of 10, she

used to take the 61 bus on her own to the city for lessons on Abbey Street.

She subsequently went on to teach ballet, ballroom and elocution lessons.

Growing up in Churchtown, Doreen remembers being sent up to Hughes Dairy to get butter milk for her mother.

She said that Hughes was the “life of Churchtown” at one stage.

“Mammy would send

us for butter milk. The butter milk kept very well as we had no fridges in those days.

“We’d have to carry the bucket. Sometimes we’d try and go up on the bike, but mammy said we couldn’t as it was too dangerous. So, we just had to walk it.

We couldn’t get the bus because it would spill all over the place! You paid three pence for that and we’d carry it back home.”

Doreen also remembers running other errands for her mother.

There used to be five b u tc h e rs i n C h u rc h town village that did “extremely well” and Doreen remembered: “I used to go for meat on

Doreen Cosgrave with her son Martin

my roller skates for my mother.”

Doreen met Phil Cosgrave and they got married in 1953. She recalls seeing Phil around the area growing up.

“My husband used to drive a blue Forde van for his father. When he’d be passing me on my bicycle, he’d beep the horn!

“Then my sister and another friend would be going up [to Cosgraves] to get apples and they ask would any of them

be interested in teaching me how to drive and I’d teach them how to dance.”

Phil Cosgrave said he’d give Doreen lessons on a Sunday, she taught him how to dance and the rest is history!

They went on to have 12 kids. Doreen now has 29 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren with another due in February.

Doreen also told us about The Lamb family who had lands in Churchtown used for growing fruit trees and were famous for be ing Jam manufacturers.

Doreen said a lot of the children in the area used to work at Lamb’s Jams.

“The kids would work up there in the summer time.

They would come back, and their nails would be sore from lifting the strawberries.”

Doreen also recalled the famous actress Maureen Fitzsimons, or most commonly known as Maureen O’Hara, growing up around the area.

“She’d a house on the hill. You’d never see her walking. There would always be a car waiting outside and her mother would be like ‘Maureen, will you please hurry up.’

“I was only about 11

“

at the time and I didn’t know what to say, I could see she was in trouble!”

Doreen’s son Martin, 53, was born and bred in Churchtown. He went to school in Loretto in Nutgrove Avenue, The Good Shepherd and De La Salle.

“I remember we all wore short pants going to school all year round even in the winter. It was part of the uniform.”

I remember we all wore short pants going to school all year round even in the winter

“I’ve great memories from school, but then was the ‘Dochtúir Dubh’, the leather strap. I never got the cane, but it was very sore.”

Cosgraves had a dairy farm. The dairy farm was “kind of gone” when Martin was growing up, but he said they still had pigs.

He also recalled the Dublin pound was in Churchtown where all the stray animals from Dublin went to.

Continued on Page 10

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CHURCHTOWN Village

Continued from page 8 “That was in the house next to us, from 1960. The council would bring in stray horses at two or three in the morning. The owners Jack and his wife Pat had to take twelve and six from the owner and the owners wouldn’t be too happy about that!”

Recalling other places in Churchtown, Martin also told us about the County Club and The Braemor Rooms.

Until the late 1980s the County Club pub on the Churchtown Road Upper had a cabaret attached called the Braemor Rooms which was very popular among the community.

Martin remembered: “There used to be a great smell of food walking by there. There were great acts there. Albert Reynolds actually sang once there.

“He was Minister for Communications and he came in and sang ‘Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone.’

Doreen recalled: “Mr Finnegan ran the place. You’d have a meal with the theatre. All the men would be expected to wear evening wear

with dickie bows. The ladies would have their furs.

“There was a saying ‘there’s no place like the Braemor Rooms.’ It was very handy, it was only down the road.”

Martin said PV Doyle, the hotelier, built the county club. “He was building a very posh pub out of town. A lot of people assumed it wouldn’t work.

“He was going to have table service which was going to have lounge girls. They were all dressed in maxi dresses down to their ankles to make sure there was no misunderstanding!

“It was a very posh place to be, you’d boast that you lived beside the county club.”

As we finish our cup of tea and chat about how Churchtown has changed over the years, of how some of the buildings have changed in the village over the years, Doreen has seen it all – new houses going up, new schools, new businesses and says the changes are in a “good way.”

Some local history THE Bottle Tower on Whitehall Road is distinctive for its corkscrew design and conical appearance and was built in 1742

by Major Hall who was living in an old house known as Whitehall.

Ely’s Arch

Braemor Road is still marked by a triumphal arch from the 18th century, which originally led to Rathfarnham Castle. The erection of this gateway is attributed to Henry Loftus, Earl of Ely from 1769 to 1783 who was also respon-

sible for the classical work on the castle itself.

After the division of the estate in 1913, the arch became the entrance to the Castle Golf Club but was later abandoned.

Berwick House Berwick House is a tall building at the bend in Whitehall Road and recently occupied by the De La Salle Brothers. In 1836 it was known as Hazelbrook, a name which was later transferred to the nearby, now defunct, Hughes Brothers milk bottling plant.

The Hughes Brothers original house, built in 1898, and called Hazelbrook House, was rebuilt in the Bunratty Folk Park in 2001.

The Ponds Loreto Terrace on the north side of Rathfarnam’s Loreto Abbey was formerly known as “the Ponds”, a name originating apparently from the large pond which two hundred years ago, occupied the lowlying field between Loreto Terrace and Nutgrove Avenue.

HB Ice Cream Churchtown is synonymous with HB Ice Cream and was home to the HB Dairy. The company was founded in 1926 as Hughes Brothers by James, George, and William Hughes at Hazelbrook Farm.

His sons, James, William and George founded the pasteurised bottle diary in 1924, and two years later began producing ice

cream at Hazelbrook farm, using generators to run the refrigeration system, as there was no mains electricity at the time.

The progression to developing their iconic brand of ice cream came as a result of using up surplus milk produced by the herds of cows serving the dairy. The inspiration came from Italian street vendors in the late 19th century.

We all remember, with great fondness, some of HB’s favourite ices including, Chilly Willy, Fat Frog, Cornetto, Loop the Loop, Vienetta and Romantica among others.

Lambs Jams What is considered to be part of Churchtown was in former years part of the Demesne of Rathfarnham Castle.

The Castle passed through many hands but ended up with the Loftus family in 1852 with much of the grounds later taken over by the Lambs, the Jam Manufacturers, and used for growing fruit trees.

Nutgrove Shopping Centre, which opened its doors in October 1984, was located on part of the old Lamb’s Jam orchards.

Breamor Rooms The Braemor Rooms were a local institution in Churchtown, becoming a much-loved venue for families, couples and more to visit regularly.

It opened its doors over 40 years ago on June 7th, 1977, at the rear of the County Club bar and lounge, another Churchtown hotspot, with some of Ireland’s biggest names taking the stage such as Red Hurley and Brendan Grace.

The Braemor Rooms became an adored venue for families to visit for big days, such as communions or confirmations, gathering locals and families alike to celebrate.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

CHURCHTOWN Village Notable Churchtown residents L

ocal Brendan Byrne’s family moved to Churchtown in 1955.

He shared with Dublin Gazette about growing up in Churchtown and about the famous people who have come from here.

“My family moved into 68 Braemor Road in 1955 when I was but three years old. My father, Martin (Marty) Byrne was a multi-faceted entrepreneur dealing in finance, horse trading, caravan rental and sales.

“My mother had been looked after by her aunt Elizbeth Elders on Beaumont Avenue, Churchtown, following my grandfather’s untimely death when she was young.

“I was always frustrated when people asked me where I lived and when I answered “Churchtown”, the usual response was “Where’s that?” Sigh: “Between Rathgar and Dundrum” was the regular reply.” “ C h u rc h t o w n w a s also home to many wellknown and feted Irish personalities in politics, arts and literature.

“Sean Lemass 18991971. The Fianna Fáil Politician and Third Taoiseach of Ireland (1959-1956) lived on Woodside Drive.

“He was regarded by many historians as the father of Modern Ireland and the greatest of all political leaders of Ireland being credited with laying the foundations of the modern economic success in Ireland.

“There was always a Garda standing around opposite his house. I remember we had friends who lived in the big house to the right of the entrance to Castle Golf Club.

“Sometimes on our way back home to Braemor Road one of the Garda would stop us for a chat, being bored out of his tree. One of them would ask us to stay for a bit

while he had a smoke. The deal was that if anyone came along one of us had to take the cigarette, even though we were only 11 or 12 at the time.

Former Taoiseach Sean Lemass “Co-founder of the Abbey Theatre John Millington Synge was born in Newtown Villas on Braemor Road opposite Landscape

Road.

“His family moved to Dun Laoghaire in 1888. He was a poet, playwright and collector of folklore. His most famous work was ‘Playboy of the Western World’ which caused riots in Dublin during its opening run at the Abbey Theatre.

“Hollywood film actress and singer Maureen O’Hara (born Maureen Fitzsimons).

Was born in her parent’s house on Lower Churchtown Road. Her father was Charles Stewart Parnell Fitzsimons, Dublin businessman and part owner of Shamrock Rovers Football Club.

“Dick Farrelly who is best remembered for his song “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” for which he wrote the lyrics and the music.

“Emmy award-winning

“John Kavanagh, martial artist and coach of Conor McGregor is from Churchtown.

“Elizabeth and Lily Yeats, the sisters Of Jack and WB Yeats.

They were the founders of Cuala Press in Churchtown. They lived at Gurteen Dheas, Churchtown Road, which was also the

Tony award nominated actress Fionnula Flanagan and Tony award nominated actress Fionnula Flanagan also lived in Churchtown before moving to Los Angeles “Indo Paradise. A band whose members Ronan Clarke, Rachael Tighe and James Eadie were from Churchtown. They named their 1991 album Churchtown.

site of Cuala Industries.

De La Salle College notable students include: Damien Duff Irish International footballer, and member of many Premiership clubs, most notably Chelsea FC. Jim Stynes, Australian Rules footballer.

Brian Stynes Dublin Gaelic footballer and AllIreland medal winner.

Dermot Keely League of Ireland footballer and manager of Shelbourne FC Des Fitzgerald Rugby International.

R e p u b l i c o f Lo o s e members Bres- guitar and vocals and Deco - keyboard Actor Tom VaughanHollywood star Maureen Lawlo, best-known for his role as Nidge in Love/Hate O’Hara

Local memories Norma Jessop “I’ve been here all my life, for 72 years. When I was small, I grew up in a house just beside the Castle Golf Club and there wasn’t actually any access to Churchtown at that point.

“There was a ditch and stream running across the road, and where I lived was a cul-de-sac and you couldn’t get through to Churchtown. We used Rathgar and Rathfarnham for shopping and getting buses. It’s only since the late 50s early 60s that Churchtown was opened up with a road through from where I lived. I like the fact that there are lots of facilities for suburban living.”

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CHURCHTOWN Village

Fondly remembering Dr Michael Mehigan C

HURCHTOWN Medical is ing rooms which mostly will be docembarking on an exciting new tors’ rooms, and the other rooms will be venture as they prepare to move used by physiotherapists, podiatrists into a brand-new facility. and phycologists.

The popular practice is currently on “Then we’ve a big room in the corner Landscape Road and will be moving to which has a huge audiology booth Churchtown Road Upper this month. which is specially set up for kids. It’s a Churchtown Medical dates back to big booth you can walk around which is the 1980s where founder Dr Michael very kid friendly.

Mehigan started the practice on “Then we’ve a few spare rooms that Braemor Road in 1983. we can expand into over time.”

In 1990, he purchased a building on Dr Mehigan is very missed, and Landscape Road that had been ‘Betty Dr Carroll said that opening the new Whelan’s Beauty Salon’ centre will be a very emoand he built a thriving tional day. practice that grew by “He was a very inspirword of mouth based on ing guy. He taught me his compassion and dedimost of what I know. He cation. just had a great way with In 2000, Dr. Ahmed people. He had this ability Mehtar took over several to make it feel like he had GPs practices in Churchspent a lot of time with town and in 2007 Dr you when actually he Mehtar and Dr Mehigan hadn’t. joined with Centric “He was just able The late and much-missed Health to form the new to put people at their Dr Michael Mehigan expanded Churchtown ease. He was very good Medical. at what he did, and I Dr Mehigan sadly still had a lot more to passed away in 2013. learn for him.

Dublin Gazette caught up with “The plan was ultimately that he general practitioner of Churchtown would retire down the line and I would Medical, Dr Paul Carroll, who gave us take over from him but unfortunately, the history of the practice and told us he got sick and passed away five years all about the exciting move. ago last month.”

Dr Carroll moved to Ireland from Dr Carroll said that Dr Mehigan Australia in 2001 on a three-month always wanted to move to a bigger working holiday visa but he is still facility. here! He lives just down the road from “He was very keen to move into a the practice in Goatstown. bigger place from the very beginning.

Speaking of moving to a new build“He was big into wanting to do more ing, he said he is very excited as the procedures and provide more services current facility is bursting at the and he was frustrated that he couldn’t seams. do more because of structural reasons.”

“We’re very excited. The practice has “He would be absolutely delighted been here [on Landscape Road] for 11 [with the move]. It will be a very emoyears. tional day when we get in there. It was “[The new building is] all on one his dream to have a much more sublevel. It’s a one-story building so we stantial footprint.” don’t have stair issues which is great.”

He added that Dr Mehigan is still a On the new facilities he said: big part of what they do.

“Instead of a nurse in a broom closet, “His kids still come to us. His wife we’ll have three big nursing rooms. is also a GP and she’s in and out all the We’re taking on another nurse, so we’ll time. He was just a great guy and so now have two nurses. people have so many positive things “The third nurse room will double as to say about him. He had a lot more to a procedure room - like a mini operating offer. That’s our big gaping hole that will theatre. never be filled, but his spirit will come “As well as that, we have 11 consultwith us up the road.”

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CHURCHTOWN Village

Memories of the village from days gone by An ad for Frank Ennis Electrical Contractor that appeared in the DLS Wine and Gold scho ol magazine in 1963

s Elams Farm

Phil Cosgrave in 1949 in his Barn Landscape Road circa 1948. A photo of the dump from 70 years ago

An early photo of Hughes Brothers

at work circa 1940s

Borza Chipper is now known as Howards Way Cafe

Invoice from P. & A. Cosgrave of Barn Elms Farm, Churchtown, in 1930, to Margare t Pearse (mother of Padraig and Willie Pearse) for a cow served to the amount of £1-1-0 (one guinea)

t from

Doreen Cosgrave with young pigle their Farm in 1951

The County Club, Churchtown pictured in 1977, is now Union and Churchtown Medical Clinic

Café Churchtown Marsellas

8 November 2018 SOUTH  DUBLIN GAZETTE 15 Advertorial Feature

Antonios famously kebab massive homemade

Mum, Auntie Mariantonia (Mrs Borza) and young Assunta outside the shopfront in Churchtown

Tradition lives on at

There’s nowhere else in Dublin where customers are able to choose their preferred fillet of fish and watch it being cooked while they wait

IN JUST six short years, Macari 66 has established itself as one of the premier chippers in the South Dublin area.

Located on Braemor Road in Churchtown, Macari 66 serves Dublin 14 and 16, as well as parts of Dublin 6, 6W and Dublin 18.

Owner Antonio Macari’s family is steeped in the tradition of Irish Italian chipper culture.

His father opened his first chipper in Harold’s Cross in 1966 and Antonio has continued on the fine tradition of his family by only serving the freshest fish and chips, while paying tribute to his family’s legacy by naming his chipper Macari 66.

Delicious homemade pizzas and pasta dishes are made to order, while they also offer homemade burgers, chicken tenders, Italian sausage and homemade naan bread for their kebabs, they only use vegetable oil in their fryers to

Home of the finest Homemade fresh food daily

ensure the freshest chips around.

This dedication to freshness and quality has seen Macari 66 recognised as the Best Chipper at the 2015 Just Eat National Takeaway Awards.

Local reaction to Macari 66 has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We are regular customers of Macari 66 and we are happy to recommend it as brilliant chipper,” says one loyal customer.

“The food is well prepared and cooked in front of you. It is consistently busy which is always a good sign.

“The staff are always friendly and welcoming, and they turn around each order very efficiently.”

People have even come from further afield to sample the incredible food served up by Macari 66.

One visitor from Spain said: “It is much more

than the usual “chipper”. On each occasion I purchased multiple meals for my family, young and old, and everything from the lightly battered fish, freshly cooked chips, delicious authentic Italian pasta and pizza were cooked to perfection.

“All the necessary sauces - tartar, curry, slices of lemon etc were also provided.

“It was also reassuring to observe that the premises throughout was spotlessly clean.

“Staff are friendly and highly efficient. On my next visit to Ireland I look forward to returning to this establishment and strongly recommend it as exceptional.”

Macari 66 have also relaunched their website, making it even easier to order the best fish and chips in South Dublin.

Christmas wishes for my customers! – Antonio