Cloghran’s local history is reflected in several clearly distinct periods: the grounds of Cloghran Church contain foundation remains of an early medieval church; the later parish church, dating from the early 18th century, was demolished. The National Show Centre is also a venue for exhibitions, conferences, sports and performing arts. When planning a visit, the focus is therefore on cultural history and a possible event date.
Church Grounds and Cemetery History
Cloghran Cemetery is a medieval parish cemetery. The foundation remains of the early medieval church lie within the enclosed cemetery. These traces should be distinguished from the later Cloghran Church: it was a parish church dating from the early 18th century and was later demolished. Those interested in the area’s development can consider these different periods separately, rather than combining them into a single building history.
The cemetery’s boundary wall also tells of a different period. During “The Emergency” in the Second World War, gun emplacements were built along it. This is a historical connection that extends beyond the site’s religious use and adds a wartime dimension to the area’s history. The cemetery and church history, and this later military use, are distinct subjects that can be considered separately when exploring Cloghran’s past.
Holy Wells and Historic Houses
Cloghran’s Holy Well is an enclosed stone well at the foot of a flight of steps, beneath a tree in a field. This precise description of its location helps distinguish it from the church and cemetery remains. If you plan to visit the well, check in advance whether a visit is possible.
Castlemoate House is a 19th-century house with an outbuilding and gates. It was built in the early 19th century and extensively remodelled in the Italianate style in the late 19th century. It is now used as an office. Its building history therefore encompasses two clearly distinct phases: the original construction and the later, extensive remodelling. At the former Cloghran Stud Farm, the property includes the former Glebe House, dating from the early 19th century, and the entrance gates; the stable complex is excluded. Here too, it is worth distinguishing the individual buildings carefully.
National Show Centre: Events and Getting There
The National Show Centre is a venue for exhibitions and conferences, sporting events and various performing arts. Its hall, or arena, measures 39 metres by 76.5 metres. These dimensions give a concrete sense of the size of the event space, without in themselves indicating anything about a particular programme. If you are travelling to Cloghran for an event, check its dates before arranging your stay.
Access to the National Show Centre is via the R132 via Stockhole Lane. As road conditions can change, check the route before travelling. Compare specific hotel addresses with your planned itinerary rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all visit plan.
County Fingal as a Wider Travel Destination
As a broader travel destination, County Fingal offers its own regional coastal focus. Its coastline stretches for 88 kilometres from Sutton to Balbriggan and includes three protected estuaries, salt marshes and 13 larger beaches. Velvet Strand in Portmarnock is a five-kilometre-long sandy beach. Balcarrick Beach is 3.4 kilometres long and has dunes and rock pools. This coastal landscape offers a different focus from Cloghran’s church history, holy well and historic houses. It may therefore be relevant when choosing a broader stay in County Fingal, without attributing the region’s coastal features to Cloghran.
Discover more destinations: Garristown, Swords, Castleknock, Rush, Ballyboughal, Lusk, Malahide, Kilsallaghan.
For the wider travel overview: County Fingal.
