Welcome to Clonsilla

Once upon a time, long, long ago, the area we now call Clonsilla was just green fields and open spaces. Clonsilla is a townland in Dublin, Ireland, and it has a really interesting history to tell!

Clonsilla began as a small village. Its name comes from an Irish word, "Cluain Saileach," which means "meadow of the willow or sally trees." Can you picture it? A beautiful meadow filled with beautiful willow trees!

Back in ancient times, Clonsilla was known for a special place called the "Fairy Ring," and no, it wasn't a place for fairies to dance! It was actually a mound, which is a small hill, where ancient people in Ireland used to bury their loved ones. This shows that people have been living in Clonsilla for thousands of years!

The Royal Canal also passes through Clonsilla. The canal was built over 200 years ago and was used to transport goods and people. Today, it's a lovely place for walks and boat trips.

So, even though no big battles were fought in Clonsilla or famous kings lived there, it's a townland with a rich history and a lot of charm. Its story is the story of the people who have lived there, from ancient times to today.

  1. What does the name "Clonsilla" mean in Irish?
  2. What was the "Fairy Ring" used for in ancient times?
  3. What was the purpose of the Royal Canal?
  4. Why do you think it's important to know the history of a place like Clonsilla?
  5. If you could visit Clonsilla, what is one thing you would like to see or do based on what you've learned? Why?

All About Clonsilla

Clonsilla is a lovely place in Dublin, Ireland, like a big green playground. It's surrounded by lots of trees, parks and grassy areas where you can play! One of the main streets is Clonsilla Road where you can see many houses, shops, and sometimes, a chirpy robin or a chattering magpie.

The Royal Canal flows through Clonsilla like a shiny blue ribbon. It's home to many ducks and swans. If you're lucky, you might even spot a playful otter!

A special place in Clonsilla is the Luttrellstown Castle, which is just like a fairytale castle with tall stone walls and big beautiful gardens. Imagine a place where princes and princesses might live!

In Clonsilla, you'll see lots of nature. From daisies and dandelions in the grass to squirrels scampering up the trees, it's like a big outdoor classroom!

There's also a cool railway station, where trains chug in and out, taking people on adventures. From the bright, colourful murals on the walls to the shiny metal benches, it's a bustling place full of excitement!

So, Clonsilla is a wonderful place to explore, full of nature, history, and fun!.

  1. What are some of the animals you might see in Clonsilla?
  2. Describe the Luttrellstown Castle and its surroundings.
  3. Can you find and name another street in Clonsilla using a map?
  4. What can you see and do at the Clonsilla railway station?
  5. Explore Clonsilla yourself! Can you find a geographical feature that hasn't been mentioned in the text?

My Family and Clonsilla

Hi, I'm Jamie, and I'm 8 years old! I live in a cool place called Clonsilla. It's really fun here because there's so much to do. I love going to the Royal Canal, it's my favorite spot! I have a lot of fun feeding the ducks and watching the boats go by. Sometimes, we even have picnics there!

Another place I love is the Phoenix Park. It's so big and green, and I love playing football there. My friends and I have so much fun running around and exploring. We even saw some deer once!

There's also this really old train station in Clonsilla. It's so cool to see the trains coming and going. I love to wave at the people on the trains, and I hope they see me. I'm growing up in Clonsilla, and I think it's the best place ever!

  1. What is your favorite place in Clonsilla and why?
  2. Can you describe what you like to do at the Royal Canal?
  3. What kind of animals have you seen at Phoenix Park?
  4. How does it feel when you see the trains at the Clonsilla train station?
  5. Why do you think Clonsilla is the best place to grow up?

The Logainm of Clonsilla

Clonsilla is a cool place in Ireland. Its name is very special. In Irish, it is called "Cluain Saileach". Now, what does that mean? "Cluain Saileach" means "Meadow of the Willow" or "Willow Meadow". Isn't that a lovely name? Willow trees are beautiful, they have long, thin leaves that can hang down like curtains. Imagine a whole meadow full of them!

Now, let's go back in time. Many, many years ago, people in Ireland spoke only Irish. They named places around what they saw. In Clonsilla, they probably saw a lot of willow trees in the meadows. So, they decided to call it "Cluain Saileach". Over time, people started speaking English and the name changed a bit to become "Clonsilla".

Fast forward to today, Clonsilla is still here! It's a bustling suburb in Dublin with lots of people, houses, schools, and yes, some beautiful willow trees too. Even though we speak English now, it's important to remember the original Irish names and what they mean. After all, that's a big part of Ireland's history and culture.

  1. What does "Cluain Saileach" mean in English?
  2. Why do you think the people long ago named it "Cluain Saileach"?
  3. How has the name "Cluain Saileach" changed over time?
  4. What can you find in Clonsilla today?
  5. Why is it important to remember the original Irish names of places?

Slideshow - Clonsilla
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Clonsilla