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Chronology
1199
The lands of Rathfarnham were granted to Milo le Bret. This marks
the beginning of the written history of Rathfarnham, Before this
time a rath or fort existed at Rathfarnham.
1244
Firhouse Weir was built in order to ensure a constant supply of
water to the city of Dublin.
1381
The first record of a bridge being built across the Dodder
at Rathfarnham
1583
Adam Loftus, Protestant Archbishop of Dublin is granted Rathfarnham
1590
Rathfarnham Castle was constructed as a fortified house.
1600
Rathfarnham Castle had to withstand an attack by the Wicklow clans.
1641
Rathfarnham Castle was able to hold out against the Confederate army when the surrounding country was overrun.
1649
A few days before the battle of Rathmines, the castle, which was garrisoned by the Parliamentary forces, was stormed and taken by the Royalists but they probably evacuated it again when Ormonde withdrew with his army to Kilkenny.
1652
The bridge at Rathfarnham was described by Boate in his Natural History as a wooden bridge which "though it be high and strong nevertheless hath several times been quite broke and carried away through the violence of sudden floods ".
1719
The earliest reference to a paper mill here was in this year when a petition for financial aid was presented by William Lake of Rathfarnham.
1723
Whartons sold Rathfarnham Castle and its lands to the Right Hon.William Connolly, speaker of the Irish House of Commons for £62,000.
1725
The mansion which now forms the centrepiece of the Loreto Abbey group of buildings was built around this time by Mr.William Palliser.
1742
The castle was sold to Dr.Hoadly,Archbishop of Armagh. The Bottle Tower or Hall 's Barn was built by Major Hall in imitation of the better constructed Wonderful Barn erected about the same period near Leixlip.
1746
On the death of Archbishop Hoadly, the castle passed to his son-in-law Bellingham Boyle.
1751
Paper was made at Rathfarnham by William and Thomas Slater.
1765
The present structure of a single stone arch bridgewas erected.
1767
Bellingham Boyle sold the property to Nicholas Loftus, second Earl of Ely, a descendant of Adam Loftus, the original builder of the castle.
1769
Until 1783, Henry Loftus,Earl of Ely was responsible for the classical work at the castle itself and for the erection of the new gate on the banks of the Dodder.
1775
William and Thomas Slater's works were destroyed by fire.
1795
A new Protestant Church was erected to replace the medieval one which had become too small.
1795
Rathfarnham House was purchased by George Grierson, the Kings Printer, who resided here for a few years.
1798
Rathfarnham was the scene of a skirmish at the outbreak of the rising. The insurgents of the south county assembled at the Ponds on 24th May under the leadership of David Keely, James Byrne,Edward Keogh and Ledwich.
1800
In the early 1800s the Loftus family sold the estate and removed their valuable possessions to Loftus Hall in Wexford.
1801
Adjoining Glenbrook House the old dispensary for the sick poor which was founded.
1802
Nutgrove School was established.
1803
In order to avoid being arrested before the rising took place, Emmet rented Butterfield House in April under the name of Robert Ellis and lived here with Dowdall,Hamilton and others.
1821
Rathfarnham House was purchased by Most Rev.Dr. Murray for the newly founded Loreto Order.
1852
Rathfarnham Castle was bought by the Lord Chancellor, Francis Blackbourne.
1876
Nutgrove School closed down and the house was occupied as a private residence.
1878
The Catholic Church of the Annunciation was erected to replace the old chapel which stood in Willbrook Road.
1890
The Constabulary barracks on the Main Street closed down when the establishment was transferred to a house named Leighton Lodge near Loreto Abbey.
1908
St.Enda 's College was founded by Padraig Pearse and was at first
housed in Cullenswood House, Ranelagh.
1910
Pearse leased Hermitage from Mr.Woodburn and moved his college here so that his pupils could have scope for the outdoor life that he felt should play so large a part in the education of youth.
1913
The Rathfarnham estate was sold and divided. The eastern part became a golf links. The castle and the south western portion were bought by the Jesuit Order and the north western part was devoted to housing.
1916
On Easter Sunday, Pearse left St. Enda's for the city on his bicycle for the last time.
1935
St Enda's finally closed down.
1953
In 1953 Rathfarnham bridge was widened on the west side and renamed Pearse Bridge in honour of the Pearse brothers.
1968
After the death of Miss Pearse St.Enda 's passed into the hands of the state and has since been opened as a public park.
1986
In 1986 the Jesuits sold Rathfarnham Castle.
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