Overview
Clondalkin — Clondalkin is recorded as Ecclesiastical site in Dublin. Crónán of Clondalkin was also referred to in sources as Mochua and Macotus whose feastday was commemorated on 6th of August. According to Ó Riain (2011, 233-4), Crónán of Clondalkin was
Foundation and growth
The saved account records: 'The origins of the settlement of Clondalkin lie in the Early Christian period with the foundation of a monastery there in the seventh century by St Mochua (Crónán) (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 31).
People and events
The saved account records: It is of interest, however, to note the tradition that the church lands of Clondalkin were given to the archdiocese by the MacGilla Mocholmog family, who were vassals of the later Norse kings of Dublin (White 1959, no 111).
Damage, loss and survival
The saved account records: It is recorded only once in the annals, when it was attacked and captured in 867 by two Leinster chieftains: "Amlaib's fort at Cluain Dolcain [Clondalkin] was burned by Gaithine's son and Mael Ciarain son of Ronan, and the aforesaid commanders caused a slaughter of a hundred of the leaders of the foreigners in the vicinity of Cluain Dolcain on the same day" (MacNiocaill 1983, 323).
Why it mattered
Clondalkin — Clondalkin matters because the source singles out a feature as rare, unique, exceptional or the sole survival at this site. The source records: Little is known of this period of Clondalkin's history, which, is potentially significant archaeologically because it appears to be one of the few recorded Viking rural settlement sites. Its importance comes from that precise survival or distinction; no broader rarity is claimed.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
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