19th March 2024: Kildare County Council has today published Master Plans for two areas in the Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District – the first, a Rural Settlement Renewal Master Plan for Ardclough. Members of the Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District joined members of the Kildare County Council executive team to launch the plans for the future development of Ardclough, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The Master Plan for Ardclough aims to increase the attractiveness of the area and as a result increase its sustainability as a place in which to live and work. It also aims to enhance the area’s environment, amenities and biodiversity in the interests of residents, businesses, and visitors. The plan sets out to promote the potential for tourism and as a centre for culture and local heritage, thus enhancing the sense of identity – physically and socially. Five key local opportunities are idenfied in the plan:
1. Reconsider Ardclough’s green space to establish a stronger identity along the main road, and also to enhance local and pedestrian amenity at its core, including rationalizing vehicular access and parking, higher quality footpaths, provision of street furniture, and landscaping.
2. Reduce the size of junction with main road, and introduce legible change in character from main road to setltement core.
3. Extend Village Green improvements so as to embrace Ardclough Village Centre facility, and continue to support the community garden.
4. Consider pedestrian facilities and safety at and on the approach to Henry Bridge, with connectivity to Grand Canal tow path.
5. Create a more legible streetscape, incorporating traffic calming, enhanced pedestrian facilities and safety at school zone area.
Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said; “The publication of plans for Ardclough is the result of detailed consultation and ongoing collaboration between the local community and Kildare County Council. Plans like these are hugely important to guide the sustainable development of these areas and their attractiveness as places to live and work.” The Ardclough Rural Settlement Master Plan and Leixlip Town Renewal Master Plan are available to view in full on our website, visit https://kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Housing/PublicRealm/TownRenewalMasterPlans/
For further information Kildare County Council Press Office press@kildarecoco.ie
FOR a long time forgotten and well known in Ireland are the Canons Regular of St Victor, or as they are sometimes styled the Victorines. Yet once they were very firmly established in our midst, and had large Irish possessions.
What must have been their most desirable monastery, on account of beauty of situation and its proximity to Dublin, is St Wolstan’s, the ruins of which are still to be seen at Celbridge. Just where the river Liffey has passed the village begin, on the one side, the lands of Castletown Manor, and on the other those of St Wolstan’s.
The ruins are, we may say, on the banks of the river, and about midway between Celbridge bridge and that other old bridge built by John le Decer, Mayor of Dublin, in 1308, still called Newbridge. The ruins which now exist prove the priory to have been of considerable extent. There remain two gateways, one tower, and two fragments. One can still ascend the tower, and mount to the top of the gateway, by stone steps in good preservation.
There are also a few little compartments off these stone staircases. Another tower, referred to in the Ordnance Survey letters, was thrown down, about 1840, on account of its unsafe condition. From the appearance of the ruins, the old monastery might have been a quadrangular building, enclosing a large courtyard; this was a common form of Norman monasteries.
Tradition has it that St Wolstan’s was connected by an underground passage with the Church of Donacumper. The remains of this church now form a very pretty and striking ruin in a graveyard on the left hand side of the main road from Lucan to Celbridge. Donacumper must have a history of its own prior even to the establishment of St Wolstan’s, because from the Book of Armagh we learn that every church called Domnach was founded by St Patrick himself, and there he spent a night. In this ruin are to be seen the walls of a nave and wing. The wing seems to have been added to form a mortuary chapel, and in it can still be seen the relics of an ornamental window. Almost under the window, inside the church, is an open vault and a broken slab, lying haIf buried at its entrance, records that it was once the ” family burial and sepulchreI place of the Alen family, of Alen Court.” This vault is said to have originally been part of the underground passage leading from the church to the monastery. It is full of bones and skulls; and, if it is an underground passage, far ingress is barred by a stone wall seemingly not too long built.
The Canons Regular of St Victor had their origin in the celebrated Abbey of St Victor, of Paris. This abbey was built by Louis the Great, King of France, about the year 1113. It was dedicated to St Victor, who suffered martyrdom at Marseilles under the Emperor Maximin. William of Champeaux, the master of the unfortunate Abelard, was then Archdeacon of Paris, where he was engaged teaching philosophy. Tired of the vanity of the world, with the consent of the king he retired to his new abbey, taking with him, for his chief disciples, persons of singular piety and great erudition. They bound themselves to live under the rules and constitutions of Canons Regular, of which they took the habit, and on account of the patron of the place they called themselves Canons Regular of St Victor.
The original constitution of the order was very strict. According to it. meat was never allowed in the refectory, manual labour was part of the rule, strict silence had to be observed, and communication with one another should be only by signs; the abbots were forbidden the use of a cross or mitre, and they were not to frequent the courts of princes. Hibert, seventh abbot of St Genevieve, Paris, one of the houses of the order, got permission from Pope Gregory IX (1227) to wear a mitre, cross, and other episcopal ornaments. Other abbots followed suit, and by degrees a little laxity crept in. The English war which disturbed France during the reign of King John (1199) especially tended towards encroachments on the strict observance of the rule; for soon afterwards we find that all the houses of order had become lax except the original one of St Victor, which still remained faithful.
According to the testimony of Louis VIII of France, there were forty-four abbeys of Victorines in the early part of the thirteenth century. The dress of the order was a white serge habit with rochet worn over it, and a large black cloak was used when walking out. The choral dress, in summer, was a surplice above the rochet, with a hood hanging over the shou1ders; and, in winter, a large black cope, with a cape and hood. The dress of the first canons was simply an alb, which reached almost to the feet; and in choir they wore also on the head a black hood, lined with skin of the same colour; and the hair was shaved according to the fashion of the monastic tonsure. In the beginning, lay brothers were received into the order, and they wore a habit of a dark colour; but in after times there were no lay brothers. Golden rays in a blue sky formed the arms of the order, and the shield was a ducal crown, surmounted with a mitre and cross.
The Victorines were in high repute in England and Ireland, and in both these kingdoms they had representatives in the Upper Chambers of Parliament. The Priory of St Wolstan’s was founded in 1202, by Adam de Hereford, and it got its name on account of the then recent canonisation of St Wolstan, Bishop of Worcester. De Hereford gave to Richard the first prior, the lands on the river Liffey, and the Church of Donaghcumper. Donaghcumper is usually taken to mean domnach, a church; and comair (old form, compair), a confluence of water; but, as is remarked in the Ordnance Survey letter, there is no confluence of water nearer than that of the Rye and the Liffey, two miles and a-half distant, unless the meeting of two very small streams not far off is referred to. It would not seem farfetched to think that the real meaning is domnach, a. church; and comphairteac, accessor, or comphairtidhe (pr. comfairee), a. companion.
The people about call the place Donaghcumper, Donaghcumfer, and Donaghcumfert.
The church must have been prior to the foundation of the monastery, and a gift in itself, separated, probably, from the grounds on which the monastery stood by a public road, and connected with it by a long underground passage; therefore, it would not at all be unlikely that the name means the companion or accessory church. It may be said that the name comes from the time of St Patrick. Domnach, in relation to the place, certainly dates from that time; but there is no reason to prevent us believing that the distinguishing title might not change with a serious change of circumstances. In the beginning the possessions of the priory were simply some hundreds of adjoining acres, including the Church of Donaghcomper.
By degrees, through gifts and purchase, the monks became owners of almost the whole present Catholic parish of Celbridge, as well as some land at Leixlip, not included in that boundary. For instance, we read that in the year 1271, William Randesham or Ravesham, Seneschal to Fulk, Archbishop of Dublin, granted to the priory the lands of Tristledelane, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, in Franckalmoigne: he increased the number of canons, and obliged them to celebrate duly his and his wife’s anniversary, on which day they were to feed thirty poor men, or to give them, in lieu thereof, one penny each, under penalty of one hundred shillings, to be paid to the Archbishop on every such failure, and a further penalty of one hundred shillings to be expended on the Cathedral Church of St Patrick.
In 1310, a certain Nicholas Taaffe, presented for ever to Stephen, the prior at the time, the Manor of Donaghcomper. In 1314, the Churches of Stacumney and Donaghmore were granted to the sole and separate use of the prior. The Church of Killadoon also at one time belonged to the priory.
The history of St Wolstan’s, as a monastery, extends from 1202 to 1536. In this year Henry VIII. seized upon it and all its belongings, and the enumeration of these in the Inquisition includes Straffan, Kildrought, Donaghcumper, Stacunney, Donaghmore, Killadoon, Castledillon, Tippers. town, Laughlenstown, Coolfitch, Simondston, Ballymakelly, Ardrass, and Kilmacreddock. Whether Straffan Church, the ruins of which are still to be seen in the graveyard there, ever belonged to St Wolstan’s, it is difficult to know. The monks certainly owned six acres of land in Straffan, but there is no mention of the church. However, it is reasonable to suppose that this six acres included the site of the present ruin. There must have been, at least, six small outlying churches connected with the monastery, Donaghcomper, Stacumney, Donaghmore, Kilmacreddock, Killadoon, and the little Chapel of St Patrick, at Ardrass. These are all now within the boundary of the Catholic parish of Celbridge, Richard Weston was the last prior, 1536; and by special arrangement he was allowed a residence in the monastery for the remainder of his life, together with a small annual sum for support. There is a place near St Wolstan’s at present called Weston-park.
On the 1st of December, 1538, the priory with all its possessions, and the Manor of Kildrought, was granted for ever, at the annual rent of two knight’s pay to Alen of Norfolk, Master of the Rolls, and afterwards Lord Chancellor.
The Manor of Kildrought, the present Castletown, was separated from the priory only by the river Liffey. It had been for a. few hundred years in possession of the Geraldine family, and evidently from the proximity of the estates there had sprung a very friendly feeling between the Earls of Kildare and the monks. It is recorded in Archdall, that in 1390 died Maurice, Earl of Kildare, a munificent benefactor to this house (St Wolstan’s). John Alen, Master of the Rolls, was a relative of the unfortunate Archbishop Alen of Dublin. They were both at the time practically English officials, and together with Robert Cowley, the chief solicitor, they worked on the fears of Henry VIII., so far as to persuade him that the Earl of Kildare was an enemy to the English crown in Ireland. Hence, arose the circumstances which led to the rebellion of Silken Thomas. After his execution at Tyburn, in 1537, the Manor of Kildrought was confiscated to the crown, and in 1538 it was given, with St Wolstan’s, to this John Alen, in requittal for his seeming great anxiety about the interests of the king.
St Wolstan’s remained then in the Alen family till the year 1752, when by a decree of the Court of Exchequer it was sold, and purchased by Dr Robert Clayton, Bishop of Clogher. He bequeathed it to his niece, Anne, the wife of Dr Thomas Bernard, Bishop of Killaloe. Dr Clayton greatly improved the house, which had been built from the ruins of the abbey, after the design of Mr Joshua Allen. This Allen was no relation of the St Wolstan Alens, but was an ancestor of Viscount Allen. He was a man well known for his skill in architecture, and amongst other things planned a house at Sigginstown, in the Co Kildare, for the tyrannical and unfortunate Earl of Strafford.
During the rebellion, and for about the first thirty years of this century, St Wolstan’s was a Protestant school.
There is a well near the river still called the Scholar’s Well, noted for the purity of its water. Near this well there can be seen what the people about say is the largest bone and the longest stone ever found in a river. The bone is fanshaped, and the stone is like a thin trunk of a tree standing upright.
Not far from the well is also a monument erected to the memory of Robert Clayton. It is a large vase, standing on a square pedestal, on which are the inscriptions:-
Rena.scentur
Quae jam cecidere
Cadent quae nuno aunt
As dying yet we live. May 1, 1756.”
“P. M. B.
Roberti Clayton
Clogherensis episcopi
& Catherinae Donnellan
Conjugis optima.
It does not appear that the Alena whilst in St Wolstan’s ever formally became Protestants. In an inquisition of Elizabeth we find that certain lands were taken from Sir John Alen, evidently because he would not conform; and in a list of Catholics from whom land was confiscated in Cromwell’s time, we read the name of Lady Alen of St Wolstan’s.
The last of the Alens connected with St Wolstan’s was one who spent a good part of his life in France. There he was called the Count de St Woostan. He was an officer in the regiment of Berwick, and fought with the famous Irish brigade in the battle of Fontenoy, 1745. He afterwards went to India with Lally, famous as a member of the same brigade, and remained with him through all those engagements and adventures there, for which afterwards he suffered so much. In consequence of the active part this Count de St, Woostan had taken with the French in their wars with the English both in Europe and India, he lost all rights to his Irish possessions; and, as we have seen, they were sold by the Court of Exchequer in 1752. The Count died at Amboise, in 1782.
From a collateral branch of this Alen family the Howards of Norfolk derive their additional name of Fitzalen. St Wolstan’s, and its adjoining church, Donaghcomper, seem to have been not only the centre of religious life for a large district around, but a centre of social activity.
Tradition holds that the market was held in front of Donaghcomper Church; and, as far as investigation goes, it is hard to find any other church from which the town of Celbridge derives its name.
The old name of Celbridge was Kildrought, the church of the bridge (droichet), of which this latter was a translation, and Kil was made Cel. Of course the more correct appellation would be domnach; but it is easy to understand how the common people travelling along this main road, and recognising Donaghcomper as an important market-place, would be constantly referring to it. They would call it the church of the bridge, it being near the bridge and kill, the more familiar and easy name for a church rather than domnach, just as we find in other places such familiar terms as the cross chapel or the kill chapel, rather than church.
The present town of Celbridge only really commenced its existence with the advent of the Dongan family to Castletown, in 1616, and whatever little importance the place had for some hundred years before must have been simply its connection with St Wolstan’s and Donaghcomper. Even so late as 1690 we have in one of the State papers registering the popish priests, James Warren, described as parish priest of Dennycomfert.
St Wolstan’s has now been for a considerable time in possession of the Cane family, and the present owner, Captain Claud Cane, shows his appreciation of the place by his continuous residence here, and the amount of labour which he employs in connection with it. He has the ruins nicely railed in, keeps the grounds in perfect order, and is much respected by the people of the district.
Fáilte chuig Comórtas Na mBailte Slachtmhara Super Valu don bhliain 2022. Táimid buíoch daoibh as ucht na hiontrála a chur chugainn, agus guimíd gach rath ar bhúr gcuid oibre amach anseo.
Your entry form was packed full of initiatives and activities to help strengthen and bond your community – not a wonder there is such pride in Ardclough. Special mention must be given to your volunteers – how nice to see the many pictures of numerous volunteers in action.
Your adjudicator was particularly impressed with your listed ‘major project’ that you were asked to outline in your entry form. You highlighted that you’ve got a Communications Group in place now. This is important as it promotes the work of existing volunteers, encourages new volunteers and shows that you’re open and transparent about your work. It would be good to try and increase the number of followers on your social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram. But you have high numbers on your What’s app Group. Be careful with permissions to share numbers on this, check out your GDPR. Links to short videos provided were clicked on, and videos were enjoyed, so thanks for these.
The length of your submission (100+ pages) meant we were not able to read every project listed in detail, but pictures provided gave a great flavour of your work. We loved reading about your ‘Identity Tapestry’ where your Youth Theatre completed work based on life experiences and feelings. It was opportune to capture this coming out of the tight Covid lockdowns. The Youth Theatres other project ‘Community’, allowed for reflection of the values of a community and how this can be supported.
Streetscape & Public Places / Sráid-Dreach & Áiteanna Poiblí:
The new school is a lovely building and it’s great to see the cycle lanes running right to the door. Do you run cycling proficiency classes? The school buildings and grounds were further enhanced by the murals on the walls and the attractive planters at the edge of the pavement. Though closed, the welcome garden and mini woodland created here was noted and appreciated.
The modern-designed chapel was nicely set in grounds with many mature trees. The post-box needs a little attention as it was quite rusty. The cafe is a good example of how an old building can be successfully converted into a new use. Sadly, we didn’t have time to enjoy the exhibition here, but the tea-brack was good!
Congratulations to Ardclough TidyTowns on organising events every year during Heritage Week, and fair play to attendees venturing out in all weathers. The proposed music and dance event for next year sounds great.
The GAA grounds were nicely managed, bordered by lovely trees and hedgerows, as well as nice, raised flower beds edging the car park. Flags were flying proudly at the entrance. It was good to see here that recycling banks have been provided here for the community. Likewise the installation of push button taps in the toilets helps conserve water. Congratulations on the development plans for here.
The GAA grounds were nicely managed, bordered by lovely trees and hedgerows, as well as nice, raised flower beds edging the car park. Flags were flying proudly at the entrance. It was good to see here that recycling banks have been provided here for the community. Likewise the installation of push button taps in the toilets helps conserve water. Congratulations on the development plans for here.
Green Spaces and Landscaping / Spásanna Glasa agus Tírdhreachú:
The monument to the 10 Kings of Leinster inaugurated nearby on Lyons Hill was admired. How nice to learn about the history of the area and the origin of the name Ardclough. This landscaping feature was nicely positioned on the elevated site separating and sheltering the village from the passing road. New wildlife-friendly plants were admired in planters – but perhaps replace the cordylines here as these non-native plants are not great for wildlife.
Construction works provided the opportunity to plant oak, wild cherry, guelder rose, spindle, hazel, and holly to create new hedges, and to fill gaps in existing hedges.
Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality / An Dúlra agus an Bhithéagsúlacht i do cheantar:
Well done on organising the Biodiversity Family Day, and for the gardening classes offered. This was one of actions listed in your Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Congratulations on getting funding for this work and advancing many of the proposed actions. To date over 60 species of native birds have been recorded locally.
What a gorgeous amenity you have by the Grand Canal, and Arthur’s Way. Keep planting here quite natural – most motorists and cyclists here are too concerned about navigating over the humpback bridge to appreciate your work! It was good to read about the local wildlife. Your adjudicator saw the sign about mandarin ducks in the area. These colourful ducks are not native to Ireland and would have escaped from a private collection. This author is not aware of any issues to native wildlife with their establishment in the wild.
The wildlife garden is a lovely place to enjoy a coffee – not a wonder quite a few passing cyclists were resting here. The garden hosted the first solitary bee nest this adjudicator has seen. The inspection hatch was opened to look at the inhabitants – no bees but quite a few insects. Maybe next year advise us on how successful this was in attracting bees?
Special mention to three local volunteers who have shared their knowledge and encouraged action for wildlife: Dr Paddy Madden, Meabh Boyland and Brian McElvaney.
Sustainability – Doing more with less / Inmharthanacht – Mórán ar an mbeagán:
Well done to the cafe for giving a reduction for customers using their own cups. Another notable item on sustainability was the installation of the bike stand and bike pumps at the cafe. These permanently installed pumps and bike tools will encourage many more cyclists to stop and service or adjust their bikes as needed.
Teaching children to make home-made butter is impressive and hopefully it tasted great with their home cooked scones. All of which are important to help understanding on food miles and increase understanding of food provenance to allow for informed shopping.
You have advanced different actions in this category of the competition such as recycling 267 pairs of eyeglasses. How do your actions fit with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to which we are committed to support?
Tidiness and Litter Control / Slachtmhaireacht agus Rialú Bruscair:
Special thanks to the newly formed Junior Tidy Towns committee for their hard work and endeavors since they were formed in Spring this year. Many have helped with the Green KM works also.
Two redundant roadside poles were observed without any signs on them. If they’re not needed, they should be removed. A couple of small pieces of litter were observed but no doubt that they would be quickly picked up.
Cable ties on some of the telegraph posts have been used to fasten electrical wires. However they’re not trimmed and look quite untidy. This was a poorly executed piece of work by the electrical contractor.
Homes in Ardclough were nicely presented. There were lovely new homes in the new housing estate beside the school. However, there was no obvious sign of solar panels which was surprising. There was some nice planting in this estate but do watch the spraying of weed killer, which was quite abundant in some areas, and not necessary.
Entering Ardclough from the East there is lovely long, lay-by full of trees which really helps mark a sense of place. Floral under-planting of the name sign consists of many annuals few of which would be of benefit to wildlife and pollinators. So perhaps it might like to consider some plants here that could still provide the same splash of colour. There’s some great information available from the website http://www.polllinators.ie The installation of the new bi-lingual name signs will be an ideal opportunity to replant here.
Floral under-planting of the name sign consists of many annuals few of which would be of benefit to wildlife and pollinators. So perhaps it might like to consider some plants here that could still provide the same splash of colour. There’s some great information available from the website http://www.polllinators.ie The installation of the new bi-lingual name signs will be an ideal opportunity to replant here.
Concluding Remarks:
Your entry is packed with a wide range of actions achieved by the community of Ardclough. You have a strong understanding of the competition and have advanced far during your 16 years involved with TidyTowns. Congratulations to your many volunteers on your achievements. What a lovely community to explore and adjudicate – thank you.
Ardclough Community Council 