Overview
Templeogue is a southwestern suburb of Dublin, about 6 km from the city centre and an equal distance from the Dublin Mountains. Perched 55 m above sea level, the area is bounded by the River Dodder to the south and the River Poddle to the north, offering pleasant riverside walks and striking views of Montpelier Hill and Three Rock Mountain. The village centre clusters around Templeogue Road, Templeville Road (R112) and Cypress Grove Road (R817), with easy access from the M50 (junction 11) and a network of Dublin Bus routes.
History
The name Templeogue derives from the Irish Teach Mealóg – “new chapel” – referring to a 13th‑century chapel built around 1273. Originally a rural village in County Dublin, the area passed through the hands of the Talbot family in Elizabethan times, then to the Domvile family in the late 17th century. The Domviles oversaw the artificial watercourse that linked the Dodder to the Poddle, a vital supply for Dublin’s early watermills.
Templeogue House, the oldest surviving structure, retains the medieval vaulted undercroft and two circular towers from the original 14th‑century castle. Sir Compton Domvile added a Doric temple to the grounds in the mid‑18th century; the temple was later moved to Santry Court in 1781. The estate’s watercourse once featured a cascade of statues, feeding the city’s water supply.
The 19th century saw the arrival of the Dublin and Blessington Steam Tramway, which ran through the village until 1932. The tram’s proximity to the local public house gave rise to the morbid nickname “The Morgue” for the Templeogue Inn, a moniker that endures today. After urban expansion in the 1950s‑60s, Templeogue merged into the greater Dublin conurbation while retaining its village character.
What to See & Do
| Attraction | Description | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| The Templeogue Inn (The Morgue) | The sole pub inside Templeogue’s boundaries, famous for its clock‑tower model steam tram. | Once the most expensive Irish pub (IR£660,000 in 1983). |
| Riverside Cottages | A crescent of early‑20th‑century cottages designed by architect Thomas Joseph Byrne for the South Dublin Rural District Council. | Exemplify high‑quality local authority housing. |
| Templeogue Bridge & Austin Clarke Bridge | The original three‑arched bridge (c. 1800) and its 1984 replacement named after poet Austin Clarke. | Features an oval stone tablet and historic stone steps beneath the arches. |
| Kilvare / Cheeverstown House | Former manor turned convalescent home, now a centre for adults with intellectual disabilities. | Set on a river loop with a historic flood‑wall built in 1812. |
| Spawell House | Built in 1703 as the Domville Arms and Three Tuns inn, later a fashionable 18th‑century spa. | Hosted a weekly “Templeogue Intelligencer” newspaper and offered mineral‑water bottles for 2 pence. |
| Old Burial Ground & Medieval Church | Remains of a 13th‑century monastic site, with early cross‑inscribed slabs and a partially ruined nave. | The graveyard holds a stone tablet referencing St Melog. |
| Templeogue House | Present‑day residence incorporating the original undercroft and towers; surrounded by mature trees and the historic City Watercourse. | The watercourse still runs in line with the front door, feeding a decorative cascade. |
| Cypress Grove House | 18th‑century house once home to Sir William Cooper and later the White Fathers; three original cypress trees remain. | |
| Love All Sculpture | A 1.1 m bronze tennis‑ball sculpture by Rachel Joynt, installed near the Templeogue Tennis Club. | The ball’s surface reveals a miniature world of roads, houses and a winding river. |
| Dodger Valley Park & Tymon Park | Riverside parkland offering walking trails, picnic areas and panoramic mountain views. | |
| Sunflower Restaurant (Orwell Shopping Centre) | Credited with inventing the Irish “spice bag” in 2006 – a fast‑food staple of chicken, chips, veg and hot seasonings. |
A self‑guided walking tour, lasting roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, strings these sites together. Starting at the Templeogue Inn, the route leads past Riverside Cottages, the former tram depot, Templeogue Bridge, Kilvare, Spawell House, the old burial ground, Templeogue House, and finishes at Cypress Grove House.
Practical Information
Getting there – By bus, routes 15, 15A, 15B, 15D, 49, 65, 65B, 82, 150, F1, F2 and F3 serve Templeogue. By car, follow the M50 to junction 11 and follow signs to the village. Limited on‑street parking is available; a pay‑and‑display car park is located behind Hollingsworth Cycles.
Walking & cycling – The area is criss‑crossed by pedestrian‑friendly routes, including the Dodder Valley riverside trail and the network of local footpaths highlighted on the South Dublin Heritage Walk PDF.
Facilities – Templeogue Village offers car parking, Wi‑Fi, restaurants, cafés, picnic spots, walking trails, gardens, a nature trail and running tracks. The Orwell Shopping Centre provides additional dining and retail options.
Accessibility – Public spaces such as Dodder Valley Park and the village centre are level and wheelchair‑friendly. The historic bridges retain original stone steps, which may present a challenge for mobility‑impaired visitors.
Admission – Most outdoor attractions (parks, bridges, sculpture) are free entry. The Templeogue Inn and local restaurants operate on a pay‑for‑service basis.
Opening hours – The Templeogue Inn is open daily from early afternoon until late evening; exact times vary by season and can be confirmed on‑site.
Local services – Schools, sports clubs (Faughs GAA, St Jude’s GAA, St Mary’s College RFC, Templeogue Swimming Club, Templeogue Tennis Club, Templeogue United Football Club) and the Orwell Shopping Centre provide a lively community backdrop.
Cultural notes – Templeogue appears in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake and was home to poet Austin Clarke, novelist Charles Lever and former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. The “spice bag” invention has earned the suburb a place in modern Irish food lore.
Best time to visit – The village’s river walks are pleasant year‑round; spring brings blooming riverside flora, while autumn offers crisp air and vivid foliage over the Dodder.
Further information – Detailed walking‑tour PDFs and additional historical material are available from South Dublin County Council’s heritage website and the local studies collection at Tallaght Library.
Nearby Attractions
- Blanchardstown – A larger suburban centre with the National Aquatic Centre and the Blanchardstown Centre shopping complex. [/blanchardstown/]
- Ballyogan – A residential area with easy access to the River Liffey and the historic St. John’s Church. [/ballyogan/]
- Ballybrack – Known for its coastal promenade and the historic St. Mary’s Church. [/ballybrack/]
- Balgriffin – Offers the scenic Balgriffin Wood and views over the Dublin Bay. [/balgriffin/]
Events & Festivals
Templeogue hosts a number of community events throughout the year, ranging from summer street fairs to local heritage walks. Details of specific dates, venues and organisers should be confirmed with the South Dublin County Council or local community groups.
Templeogue blends historic charm with natural beauty, making it an ideal stop for travellers seeking a slice of authentic Dublin life beyond the city buzz.