Stoneybatter
Stoneybatter, historically known as Bohernaglogh (Irish: Bóthar na gCloch), is a neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland, situated on the Northside of the city between the River Liffey, the North Circular Road, Smithfield Market, and Grangegorman. It is located in the Dublin 7 postal district.
History
James Collins' 1913 book, 'Life in Old Dublin', notes that 'Centuries ago (Stoneybatter) was called Bothar-na-gCloch. In Joyce's Irish names of places we find the following interesting information as to the original name of the place: "Long before the city had extended so far, and while Stoneybatter was nothing more than a country road, it was -- as it still continues to be -- the great thoroughfare to Dublin from the districts lying west and north-west of the city; and it was known by the name of Bothar-na-gCloch (Bohernaglogh), i.e., the road of the stones, which was changed to the English equivalent, Stoneybatter or stony road."'
The Irish folk song "The Spanish Lady" mentions Stoneybatter in the 5th verse.
Viking names
Apart from the striking artisan dwellings, the area is also known for the prominent Viking street names. For example, there is Viking Road, Olaf Road, Thor Place, Sitric Road, Norseman Place, Ard Ri Road, Malachi Road, Ostman Place, Sigurd Road and Harold Road. At the time of the Norman invasion, the Vikings, Ostmen or Austmenn (men of the East) as they called themselves, were exiled to the north of the Liffey where they founded the hamlet of Ostmenstown later to become Oxmantown.
Other street names
The northern end of Stoneybatter derives its name of Manor Street, bestowed in 1780, from the Manor of Grangegorman in which it was located. The Manor itself was later transformed into a police barracks. During the reign of Charles II (1660-1680), the Manor was held by Sir Thomas Stanley, a knight of Henry Cromwell and a staunch supporter of the Restoration. The short thoroughfare in Stoneybatter called Stanley Street is named after him.[1][2]
Filming location
The streets and surrounding areas of Stoneybatter have been used as a filming location for both TV and film:
TV series
- Dear Sarah (1989)
Film
- Michael Collins (1996)
- Angela's Ashes (1999)
Music
- Spice Girls - "Stop" (1998)
See also
References
- ^ Cosgrave, Augustine Dillon, and Carm, O., 'North Dublin City' in Dublin Historical Record, 23(1) (June, 1969), p.7.
- ^ Ball, Francis Elrington, A History of County Dublin, Volume 6, Chapter 9 (Dublin, 1920).
External links
- The Stoneybatter chapter of 'Life in Old Dublin', James Collins' 1913 book, featuring the story of the notorious murderer, 'Billy in the Bowl'.
- Stoneybatter, Dublin's inner urban village (ISBN 0-907606-73-3), Kevin Corrigan Kearns' book on the district.
- Stoneybatter Flickr
- Dear Sarah (1989)'
- Michael Collins (1996)'
- Angela's Ashes (1999)'