Stillorgan - Name

Name

It is popularly believed that the name Stillorgan is either a Danish or Anglo Norman corruption of Teach Lorcan, 'the house or church of Lorcan (Laurence)', possibly signifying St. Laurence O'Toole. Another belief is that it is named after a Danish or Irish chief of a similar name: what may have been his burial chamber was discovered in Stillorgan Park in 1716. The original Celtic name for Stillorgan was Athnakill – 'Place of the Church'. In the fourteenth century the manor of Stillorgan was held by the Cruise family, from whom it passed to the Derpatrick family.

The local Roman Catholic parish church of St. Laurence is usually presumed to be named after St. Laurence O'Toole, or Lorcán Ua Tuathail, who was born at Castledermot, County Kildare in 1128, died at Eu, Normandy, France, on November, and was canonized in 1225 by Pope Honorius. He was one of four sons of an O'Byrne princess and Murtagh O'Tuathail, King of the Ui Muirdeaigh III.