Firhouse

The origin of the place name derives from the Irish-language phrase 'Teach na Giúise', sometimes translated as 'house of fir'. This name is reputed to derive from what was previously a wild forest of fir trees located in the area. It may also come from a manor that was located at the top of the laneway now joining Scoil Treasa and Scoil Carmel, which belonged to a family called Fieragh with connections to Norway.[3] Like much of the rest of the area, this laneway, which led up to the main house, was lined with fir trees.

According to the Placenames Database of Ireland, the Irish place-name is 'Teach na Giúise'.[1] Among the local population, the pronunciation of Firhouse varies with some using "Fir" and some "Fur", while some historical maps, which tended to capture phonetic spellings of "Furhouse", suggesting an earlier form.[1]

Firhouse was historically the site of a small rural settlement near the river bank, and another, Upper Firhouse, nearby. Firhouse lay within the townland of Knocklyon and was owned, over time, by Walter de Ridelford, and later families including the Burnells, the Bathes, the Nugents and the Talbots, eventually being sold by the Duke of Wharton to the famous Speaker Conolly.[2][3]

Firhouse Weir, also known as Balrothery Weir, on the River Dodder

Dated to at least the early 13th century, a weir was built in the Dodder between Firhouse and Balrothery, the district on the north bank opposite, and much of the Dodder's water was diverted to the course of the River Poddle, to supply the then-small Dublin city.[2] The weir is known variously as Balrothery Weir, Firhouse Weir or City Weir, and was the starting point of the canal known as the City Watercourse.[7]

In The History and Antiquities of Tallaght, County Dublin (published in the mid 19th century), George Domville Handcock refers to Firhouse as "a small dirty village, principally inhabited by stonebreakers".[2]

While there was no bridge near in a south-westerly direction until the 20th century, a bridge was made just north of the village. The settlement grew further in the 19th century, and a number of mills existed in the vicinity, including a paper mill across the river.[2] As of the early 1900s, the main village comprised 7 houses, two pubs and a forge.[3]

By the 1910s, the village already extended for half a mile, with a school, church, convent, public house and two smithies,[5] and the Moscow Dance Hall was built there in the 1930s, operating for about three years.[3] The population remained small until rapid suburban development began in the 1970s, with large-scale housing development continuing into the 1980s.[3]

Firhouse is in the jurisdiction of South Dublin County Council, with councillors elected within the Firhouse-Bohernabreena electoral area. In the system of council committees, it is in the oversight of the Rathfarnham / Templeogue / Firhouse / Bohernabreena Area Committee.[10] For strategic planning purposes, the council groups Firhouse in the extensive Templeogue / Walkinstown / Rathfarnham / Firhouse neighbourhood (the other "neighbourhoods" of the county being greater Tallaght and the broad Clondalkin area).[11]

The district lies within the Dail Eireann constituency of Dublin South-West.[12]

Housing near Firhouse Community Centre and Sports Complex

There are two community centres, Firhouse Community and Sports Complex, which is home to various sporting teams and the local Scouting Den, and The Park Community Centre, which lies in Ballycragh Park. The Community and Sports Centre was built by Firhouse Community Council.[3]

Firhouse also has one main shopping centre, Firhouse Shopping Centre, anchored by a supermarket. There is also a local credit union, a post office and a Chinese restaurant, while the local pubs are Scholars, The Speaker Conolly, Mortons and the Firhouse Inn. The area is served by a once-a-week Mobile Library stop.[13]

Two community groups have registered with the local authority, the voluntary group Firhouse Village Community Council, and the civic activity group Firhouse Tidy Towns.[14] In 2003, grant aid from an EU Urban and Village Renewal Scheme was obtained for "Firhouse Village Park".[15]

There is a Roman Catholic parish entitled Parish of Firhouse which stretches out as far as Hunterswood and has a church named Our Lady of Mount Carmel.[3] Various regions of Firhouse belong to the Parish of Ballyboden. Bohernabreena Parish also takes up much of the area, with a church in the mountains and another in Holy Rosary school. Historically the broad area was part of the large post-Penal Law parish of Rathfarnham.

In the valley, adjacent to the Dodder, stood the Victory Centre, a Christian theological facility, and subsequent to its closure, in 2017 a facility of the Church of Scientology opened on its site.[19]

Firhouse Carmel Football Club,[20] based at Firhouse Community Centre, caters for schoolboys and girls from the local area. Its playing grounds are at Carrigwood and Scholars pitches, and 2005 saw Brian Kerr open the purpose-built changing rooms at the Community Centre after years of fundraising. Local side Firhouse Clover fields teams in the Leinster Senior League.[21]

Ballyboden St Enda's GAA, located on Firhouse Road, and St Anne's GAA, located in Bohernabreena, are Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in the area, fielding camogie, hurling and Gaelic football teams.

Firhouse also has a basketball club, and Firhouse Community College has GAA and basketball teams.

Former or current residents of the suburb have included:

• Sean Hughes, comedian[22]
• Jim Bartley, actor[23]
• Graham Shaw, hockey player and coach[24]
• Dave Allen, comedian[25]
• Gavin Bazunu, footballer[26]
• Hazel Chu, politician[27]
• Paul Tylak, comedian[28]
• Eoin Doyle, footballer[29]
• David Webster, footballer[30]
• Eoghan McDermott, broadcaster[31]