Cruagh 2.34

Cruagh is a civil parish in South Dublin containing the townlands of Cruagh, Killakee, Tibradden, Glendoo, Newtown, Jamestown, Woodtown and Orlagh. It is situated south of Ballyboden on the R116 regional road.ToponymyThe name of the parish derives from Craobhach, meaning "branches". This ultimately comes from Old Irish Croibech, or cráebach. The name in its current form was first recorded in 1641.The area was commonly known as 'Creevagh' or 'Crevagh' until the 19th and, on occasion, the early 20th century.Early historyThe area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, evident by the chambered cairn situated atop nearby Tibradden Mountain. It is likely that this settlement in the area continued through the Bronze Age, due to the 2nd century BC cemetery uncovered during the 1950s in Edmondstown.Around 460 AD a small church was built in what is now the old section of Cruagh Cemetery. It was likely built by Dalua, a 5th-century saint and disciple of Saint Patrick. In 1184 the church was granted by Prince John to the Archbishop of Dublin. The church was served by the Vicar of Tallaght until c.1700, when turbulent times in Ireland and the eventual union of parishes led to its falling into lay hands and finally disuse. The ruins were noted by John Canon O'Hanlon in the 1870s and today little remains of the church.