Oldtown

Oldtown is a church village with a strongly rural character. Farmland surrounds the settlement, and the boundary between village and countryside remains clearly visible. The small river, locally known as the Daws River, drains the flat valley. The village and its landscape together shape the character of the place; its cultural history is reflected in churches, homes and several memorials.

Village and landscape

If you are looking for a place with this kind of village character for your stay, these features may factor into your choice of holiday rental. The small Daws River is part of the description of the valley it drains.

Church village and architectural history

Oldtown's original chapel was built in 1827 and became the centre of the settlement. This makes it an important part of the area's history and explains why the place is described as a church village. St. Mary's Church stands on the site of a medieval parish church. The church's bell tower is notable for its battlements, copings and pinnacles. These varied architectural features give the village a distinctive character.

The stone houses also tell of different periods of construction. They include 19th-century buildings, as well as newer ones that have been carefully adapted to the older structures. Together with the civic and religious buildings, the intact village setting offers insights into Oldtown's social history. Anyone interested in the development of the village and its architectural history can take in both individual architectural details and the way the buildings work together.

Memorial sites and traditions

Several memorials in Oldtown commemorate the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen. Another memorial commemorates Molly Weston. She is associated with a local figure who fought on horseback alongside her brothers at the Battle of Tara. These memorial sites offer different perspectives on the village's history: some are connected to a political rebellion, while others commemorate an individual local figure.

Visitors can walk and take photographs among the church ruins. The holy well is associated with a tradition that it is said to help with sore throats. St. Patrick's Stone stands just outside the church gate. According to tradition, the saint pressed a hole into the stone with his hand to tether his donkey. The well and the stone are not signposted attractions and lie on or near private farmland. Ask in the village before crossing fields to find either of the two sites.

Directions and other area pages

The R122 runs through the centre of Oldtown. To the north, it connects the village with The Naul and Garristown; to the south, with St. Margarets and Swords. When planning your trip, you can use these destinations as a guide to the direction you want to travel next.

More area pages: Ranelagh, Foxrock, Rathgar, Dublin, Rathmines, Glasnevin, Tallaght, Donnybrook.

Go to the main travel overview: Dublin.