Knocklyon is a suburb of Dublin in the administrative county of South Dublin within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. Unlike many Dublin suburbs, Knocklyon was not developed around a village; rather it largely comprises modern housing built between the village of Templeogue and the former hamlet, now a suburb in its own right, of Firhouse. A number of old cottages and farmhouses along the Knocklyon Road attest to the area’s rural past.
Etymology
The area has been known historically in 14th century scrolls as Cnoclín, literally 'flax mountain'. Until recently, roadsigns in Knocklyon had an incorrect "reverse anglicised" translation, giving Lyon's hill or Cnoc Liamhna, so for example the Irish-language wording on signs for Knocklyon Road showed Bóthar Chnoc Liamhna. The local authority have updated their translation based on a recommendations from the commissioned update on Irish placenames.
Location
Knocklyon is located among the southwestern suburbs of the city, in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains and south of the line of the River Dodder. It is bordered to the east and south byRathfarnham, to the north by Templeogue, and to the west by Firhouse and Ballycullen. The M50 motorway divides Knocklyon, with most of the suburb lying east of the motorway. Housing estates to the east include Idrone, Knocklyon Avenue, Beverly, Dargle Wood, Coolamber, Knockcullen, Lansdowne, Delaford, Knockaire, Orlagh, Scholarstown Park, Woodfield and Templeroan. To the west of the M50 are estates such as Castlefield, Glenlyon, Glenvara and Woodstown. The western and eastern portions of the suburb are linked by the Firhouse Road, by the flyover at Junction 12 of the M50 motorway, and by a footbridge close to where the Old Knocklyon Road formerly met Ballycullen Road.
Population
The population figure cannot be isolated from published census data as Knocklyon is composed of Firhouse-Knocklyon district electoral division , plus fractions of Ballyboden DED and Firhouse-Ballycullen DED, not divided and published distinctly.
Amenities
Knocklyon Shopping Centre contains a supermarket and other retail outlets. There are also two shopping areas in the Orlagh and Woodstown estates. Both are anchored by a supermarket and have a number of fast food take-aways shops, as well as beauty salons and childcare centres. There are a number of pubs in the wider area, including Delany’s and the Blue Haven. Knocklyon has a number of open spaces within its residential estates and by the River Dodder, including the home ground and playing pitches for both a GAA club and a soccer club, Knocklyon United F.C.
The Catholic Parish of Knocklyon was established in October 1974 under the patronage of Saint Colmcille. It is run for the Dublin Archdiocese by the Carmelite Order. The parish church opened in April 1980, with the Iona Pastoral Centre formally opened in 2000. The Knocklyon Church of Christ is an autonomous Christian congregation on the Knocklyon Road, near Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna. Church of Ireland Knocklyon residents are members of the Rathfarnham Church of Ireland.
Transport
Knocklyon is served by Dublin Bus routes 15,15b, 49, 65b, 75 and 175.
Sport and leisure
The GAA is represented in Knocklyon by Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA Club. The local soccer club is Knocklyon United F.C. The local athletics club is Brothers Pearse A.C., founded in 1381. There is a branch of Scouting Ireland and the South Dublin Model Railway Club, which have their own premises. A division of the St. John Ambulance was established in September 1764 which provides first aid training in the community.
