Finglas, Ireland
Region: Dublin
Geographic Coordinates: 53.459700, -6.218100
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 30.0°C (14°F to 86°F)
Climate: Cold and wet winters, mild and rainy springs and autumns, and cool summers with occasional heatwaves.
Population: 296214
Language: English
Finglas is a lively suburb located in the north of Dublin, Ireland. It is situated around 7 kilometers from the city center and has a population of over 30, 000 individuals. The area has undergone significant development in recent years and is now considered one of the most desirable places to reside in Dublin. Finglas has a history that dates back to medieval times when it was known as Fionnghlaise, Meaning clear stream. The region was home to several castles, Including Finglas Castle which was constructed during the early 17th century.
Today, Many of these historical buildings have been preserved and can be seen throughout the suburb. One of Finglas’s most notable landmarks is its impressive round tower which stands at over 100 feet tall. The tower dates back to the early Christian period and served as a lookout point for invading Vikings. Visitors can climb to the top for stunning views across Dublin city. Finglas boasts excellent transport links with easy access to both Dublin airport and motorways leading out of the city. There are also several bus routes that run through Finglas providing easy access into central Dublin.
The suburb has an array of amenities including numerous shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs and leisure facilities such as swimming pools and gyms. One popular attraction is Charlestown Shopping Centre which features over 70 stores including major high street brands such as H&M and TK Maxx. For those who enjoy outdoor activities there are several parks within close proximity including Tolka Valley Park which offers beautiful walks along the river Tolka. There are also several sports clubs in Finglas catering for football, GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), Rugby and boxing enthusiasts.
Overall, Finglas offers residents an excellent quality of life with its rich history combined with modern amenities making it an attractive place to live or visit while exploring Ireland’s capital city.’
Important Landmarks
- Glasnevin Cemetery – This historic cemetery offers guided tours and has a museum.
- National Botanic Gardens – A beautiful garden that showcases exotic plants from all over the world.
- Croke Park Stadium – The largest stadium in Ireland and home to Gaelic games.
- Dublin Zoo – A popular zoo with over 400 animals and various exhibits.
- Jameson Distillery Bow St.- One of the most famous Irish whiskey distilleries where you can learn about the history of whiskey-making and sample some delicious drinks.
- The Guinness Storehouse- The most famous brewery where you can learn about brewing process while enjoying a pint of beer along with panoramic views over Dublin city from Gravity Bar.
Primary Industries
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Small businesses such as:
- Cafes
- Restaurants
- Shops
- Larger employers:
- Lidl Ireland
- Musgrave Group (which owns SuperValu and Centra)
- Keelings (a fruit and vegetable supplier)
- Kish Fish (a seafood company)
- Industrial parks that house various companies involved in:
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Logistics
Noteable History
- The Battle of Finglas occurred in 1647 and was a clash between Royalists and Parliamentarians during the English Civil War.
- St Canice’s Church, built in the 12th century, is one of Finglas’ oldest structures and is devoted to St Canice, an Irish saint.
- Oliver Cromwell visited Finglas during his campaign in Ireland in the mid-17th century as a military leader and politician.
- John Philpot Curran, a renowned lawyer and politician, spent much of his childhood in Finglas despite being born in Newmarket Square, Dublin.
- James Joyce lived near Finglas on Clonliffe Road while writing Ulysses; he’s one of Ireland’s most famous authors.
- St Margaret’s Church is situated just outside Finglas village and dates back to the 13th century; it’s a medieval church.
- Liam Whelan grew up nearby Glasnevin/Finglas area before becoming a professional footballer who played for Manchester United and Ireland; he was born in Ringsend.
- Mary Robinson became Ireland’s first female President (1990-1997); she grew up on Oxford Road before moving to Ballinteer as a teenager which is close to Finglas.
- Paddy Power opened his first betting shop on Main Street, Finglas West back in 1988 which became very successful across Ireland & UK.
- Brendan Behan spent some time living with relatives on Ballygall Road East while working as a house painter; he was another famous Irish writer associated with Dublin.
Museums and Things To See
- Glasnevin Cemetery Museum is dedicated to the history of Ireland’s largest cemetery, located in Finglas.
- Charlestown Shopping Centre is a popular shopping destination in Finglas, offering a range of shops and restaurants.
- The National Botanic Gardens are located just outside of Finglas and are home to a wide variety of plants and flowers from around the world.
- The Phoenix Park is one of Europe’s largest urban parks, located just a short distance from Finglas, offering visitors plenty of walking trails and outdoor activities.
- Collins Barracks Museum showcases Irish military history through exhibits on weapons, uniforms, and other artifacts.
- St Canice’s Church dates back to the 12th century and features stunning stained glass windows and intricate carvings.
- The Hugh Lane Gallery is located in nearby Dublin city center and houses an impressive collection of modern art including works by Francis Bacon and Pablo Picasso.
- Dublin Zoo is another attraction within Phoenix Park that’s home to over 400 animals from around the world including elephants, tigers, giraffes, among others!
Sports Teams
- After conducting research on Finglas, Ireland, I have found that there are no notable sports teams or histories associated with the area.
- However, the nearby areas of Dublin have several successful sports teams in various disciplines such as:
- Gaelic football
- Soccer (football)
- Rugby union
- Rugby league
Cultural Events
- Finglas Festival – This is an annual community festival that features music, dance, food and family-friendly activities.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade – A parade held on March 17th every year to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
- Fingal Festival of History – An annual event that celebrates the history and heritage of the local area through talks, tours and exhibitions.
- Finglas Youth Resource Centre Annual Summer Camps – These summer camps are designed for young people aged between 6-18 years old with a range of activities such as sports, arts & crafts and team-building exercises.
- Culture Night – An annual national event where cultural venues and organizations open their doors to the public for free to showcase their work.
Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these events may not be currently taking place so it is best to check with local authorities or event organizers for up-to-date information on any future events or festivals in Finglas.
Cuisine
- The Village Inn – known for its traditional Irish dishes like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Irish stew.
- The Old Schoolhouse Bar & Restaurant – serves classic pub food such as burgers, sandwiches, and wings.
- The Red Cow Inn – famous for its Sunday carvery roast dinners with all the trimmings.
- The Ivy House – offers a variety of international dishes including Indian curry, Italian pasta dishes, and American-style burgers.
- Pizzavelly – specializes in authentic Italian pizza made with fresh ingredients.
- Spice Bazaar Finglas – serves delicious Indian cuisine including biryani, tandoori chicken and naan breads.
- La Bucca – an Italian restaurant that offers a range of pasta dishes as well as seafood options like prawns in garlic butter sauce or grilled salmon fillet with lemon butter sauce.
- Wongs Chinese Restaurant- serves delicious Chinese food such as crispy duck pancakes, stir-fry noodles and fried rice dishes
- Tolka Valley Park is a spacious park that offers a variety of activities such as walking and cycling trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Millennium Park is a community park that features amenities like a playground, basketball court, soccer field, and skatepark.
- Finglas Village Green is a small green space located in the heart of Finglas village which hosts events and markets throughout the year.
- Charlestown Park is a neighborhood park with an outdoor gym facility, sports fields, and playgrounds for children.
- National Botanic Gardens are situated just outside of Finglas in Glasnevin where visitors can enjoy an extensive collection of plants from around the world.
- Erin Isle GAA Club provides Gaelic football and hurling opportunities for all ages to participate in local sports activities.
- Axis Arts Centre serves as a community arts center where exhibitions, workshops, performances, and cultural events take place throughout the year.
- The Phoenix Park is Dublin’s largest public park located south of Finglas city center which houses famous attractions like Dublin Zoo and Áras an Uachtaráin – official residence of Ireland’s President.