Brackenstown (Irish: Baile Breacáin)[2] is a neighbourhood in the north Dublin suburb of Swords in Ireland. It developed in west Swords on the north side of the Ward River. It developed along the Brackenstown Road, which runs from Swords to the townland of Knocksedan. Brackenstown was initially part of the Finglas-Swords social housing expansion, where the estates of St.Cronans, Glasmore, and Brackenstown Village were constructed. It was estimated that over 5,000 people benefited from this, primarily being relocated from Gardiner Street. Following its construction, Brackenstown's address was Finglas, Dublin 11. This was due to a social divide between the native people of Swords Village, not wanting the association with the rise in antisocial behaviour in Brackenstown. Gangland feuds once ruled the area upon its construction and its ties to Finglas Village were stronger than to Swords. Following the Celtic tiger, and the large expansion of Swords. Brackenstown became surrounded by a new sprawling Dublin suburb, and modernly is a small area located in the major Dublin city suburb of Swords. Brackenstown has shops, including a supermarket and a pub, and is adjacent to the Ward River Valley Park. Brackenstown is also a parish in the Fingal North deanery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
Layout
Brackenstown is located west of the centre of Swords, along the Brackenstown Road. It is on the northside of the Ward River, between the neighbourhood of Rathbeale and the Ward River Valley Park. The Brackenstown Road runs east–west through the area and is the main road providing access to the area. The Ward River Valley Park is located on the south side of the road and most of the housing estates are on the north side of the road. Murrough road runs north from Brackenstown to the Rathbeale Road and Applewood.[3]
Public transport
The main bus terminus for western Swords is on the Brackenstown Road outside Swords Manor estate. It is served by Dublin Bus Routes 41, 41c, 41x, 41n and the private Swords Express service. All routes operate from Swords Manor, along the Brackenstown Road, then up Murrough Road to the Rathbeale Road.[4]
Dublin Bus routes 41 & 41c operate approximately every 10 minutes from Swords Manor to Dublin City Centre (Lwr Abbey Street). Route 41 operates via Rathbeale, Swords Village, Dublin Airport, Santry and Drumcondra[5] and route 41c operates via Applewood, Swords Village, Rivervalley, Boroimhe, Sanrty and Drumcondra.[6] At peak times route 41x operates a service to UCD Belfield via Dublin City Centre.[7]
The Swords Express service operates approximately every 30 minutes from Swords Manor to Dublin City Centre (Georges/Eden Quay) via Applewood, Swords Village, Forrest Road, Boroimhe and Holywell, then non-stop via the M1 motorway and Dublin Port Tunnel.[8]
On Friday and Saturday nights the Dublin Bus 41n Nitelink service operates from Dublin City Centre (Westmoreland Street) to Swords Manor via Dublin Airport, Swords Village and Rathbeale.[9]
Park
Bridge in Ward River Valley Park
The Ward River Valley Park is a linear park on the banks of the Ward River in the centre of Swords town, between the areas of Brackenstown and River Valley. It covers an area of 89 ha. (220 acres) between Swords Town Centre and Knocksedan Bridge. Its features include ruined 12th-century fortifications, woodland habitats, wetlands and grasslands. There are viewing points, picnic sites, sports pitches and tennis courts.[10]
Education
There are two adjacent primary schools in the Brackenstown area:
St. Cronan's Junior National School, Brackenstown Road[11]
St. Cronan's Senior National School, Brackenstown Road[12]
Shops
The Manor Mall is a small shopping centre on Brackenstown Road with an Asian restaurant, convenience store, credit union, fish and chip shop, hairdressers, pharmacy, and a pub.
Religion
Brackenstown has one Roman Catholic church, St. Cronan's Church, which belongs to its own distinct parish.[13]
Glasmore Abbey
Ruins of Glasmore Abbey
Glassmore Abbey was founded by St Cronan about AD660 – a century later than the founding of Swords. This ruin and its adjacent well are dedicated to St Cronan and are located in a green in the Lioscian estate off Murrough Road. Under the rule of St Cronan, Glasmore Abbey flourished sufficiently to attract the attention of the Northmen of Inbher Domhnainn (Malahide) who raided and destroyed it and slew both the abbot and his entire fraternity in one night. Since then, the abbey has been in ruins.[14]
