The Poddle

Our research of newspaper articles and online resources has provided us with a huge amount of information about the Poddle and The City Watercourse and we present it below for your enjoyment.

Introduction

The Poddle rises in Cookstown, Tallaght and meanders through Dublin until it empties itself into the Liffey at Wellington Quay. Once the principal water supply for Dublin citizens, the river has endured a number of man-made interventions, which increased volume and flow, provided water supply to areas with no water source and reduced flooding. These interventions have reshaped and distorted the course of the original Poddle, of which a large portion of the river flows underground.

Name

Poddle, Puddle, Piddle, Poodle
The Poddle has been referred to in many different ways throughout the years including Puddle, Pottle, Podell, Tiber, Salach, Soulagh, Glascholach and Cam Uisce (Crooked Stream). The names Soulagh and Salach, meaning dirty in Irish, relates to the polluted state of the river throughout time. The Dubliners sang about it in the song Down by the River Saile. In the 13th century the river was called Glascholach: from the Irish “Glas” — a Stream, and “Salach”—dirty. Cam Uisce (Crooked Stream) is also believed to where Kimmage gets its name. In the course of our research, we also came across a number of news articles selling four legged ‘Poddles’ – due to poor spelling and proofreading of “Poodle”.

History

The area where the river Poddle and Liffey meet formed a large “black pool” which stretched from Dublin Castle to St Patrick’s Cathedral. “Black pool” translates to “Dubh Linn” in Irish and it is believed that Dublin is named after this pool. Although Ptolemy records Dublin as “Eblana, a city” in the second century, the first reference to be found to the Irish-settlement of Dubh Linn (Black Pool) is in the eleventh century life of St. Kevin of Glendalough who flourished in the 6th century A.D.

Vikings

The River Poddle played a crucial role in the Viking history of Dublin, significantly contributing to the city’s development as a vital Norse settlement. By the late 9th century, Dublin, or Dubh Linn (meaning “black pool” from the dark waters of the Poddle), had transformed into a bustling Viking port, part of an expansive trading network reaching as far as Constantinople, Newfoundland, and Russia. The Poddle’s confluence with the River Liffey created a natural harbour at what is now Wood Quay, making it ideal for Viking ships to dock, refit, and trade.

The Viking stronghold, located at the present site of Dublin Castle, was the nucleus from which the city expanded. The Poddle flowed through the area, shaping the landscape. Its waters formed a marshy pool, the source of Dublin’s name, and provided much-needed fresh water to the settlement. Over time, the Vikings built timber houses and a walled city, surrounded by rivers and defended against rivals. The Poddle also fed into a system of watercourses that supported Dublin’s burgeoning craft industries, which included bone carving, leatherworking, and metalwork.

By 988, the Viking and Irish populations coexisted in Dublin, with the Poddle playing a central role in daily life. Its waters supported the city’s needs, and the strategic location near the black pool allowed Dublin to become an economic hub. As the city evolved under later Norman rule, the Poddle continued to shape the urban landscape, but its role in the Viking era remains a testament to Dublin’s maritime and trading heritage.

Poddle course

Natural course of the Poddle
The natural course of the Poddle flowed from Cookstown, Tallaght and ventured through Tymon, Perrystown, Kimmage, Mount Argus, Harold’s Cross, Blackpitts, St. Patricks Cathedral, Bride Street, Ship Street, then serving as the moat to Dublin Castle (now underground) before travelling under Dame Street and into the River Liffey at what is now Wellington Quay.

Cookstown to Mount Down Mill (Tymon River)
The Poddle begins as the Tymon River and rises in Cookstown, Tallaght, close to Fettercairn House. The river flows east through Tymon Park, Greenhills and links up with the old City Watercourse at the site of the demolished Mount Down House/Mill which is located between Wellington Park and Glendown Grove.

Mount Down Mill to Kimmage Tongue/Stoneboat
The combined Poddle and City Watercourse then flows northeast through Perrystown, Kimmage Manor, St. Annes, Ravensdale Park, Poddle Park and St. Martins and then it goes underground at Supervalu Sundrive (old Larkfield Mills) until it appears at the Tongue/Stoneboat off Sundrive Road.

Tongue/Stoneboat
The Poddle splits in two at a wedge/tongue shaped stone feature called “The Tongue”/”Stoneboat” at the Tongue Fields near Mount Argus.

Two thirds flow through the original course to the city by through Mount Argus, Harold’s Cross, Blackpitts, past St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle to the Liffey at Wellington Quay. The other branch, after leaving the “Tongue,” went between what is now Mount Jerome Cemetery and Eamon Ceannt Park, along Rutland Avenue and over to Dolphin’s Barn. From Dolphin’s Barn it continued to a cistern in the James’s Street/Thomas Street area. From there it was carried in pipes to a fountain in the city near Christ Church Cathedral.

A further branch, known as the Abbey Stream, created by the monks of St. Thomas’ Abbey, began around where the entrance to Mount Jerome Cemetery is now, went through Harold’s Cross to the vicinity of Donore Avenue then circled around by Marrowbone Lane and back down to Pimlico and Ardee Street, eventually joining the original Poddle at New Row, near the junction of Patrick’s Street and Dean Street.

St Patrick’s Cathedral to Wellington Quay

The Poddle, having been rejoined by the Abbey Stream at what is now the vicinity of the junction of Patrick’s Street and Dean Street, then flows past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, turns east and flows down under Ship Street and Dublin Castle to merge with the Liffey at Wellington Quay. St Patrick’s Cathedral is built on what was originally a small island between two strands of the Poddle – referred to in a document in 1179 as St Patrick’s in insula or St Patrick’s on the island. There was also a holy well dedicated to the saint and this is now covered over by the park adjoining the cathedral. Legend has it that Patrick himself performed baptisms at this well.


It emerges at Wellington Quay – so the grate you see there is not a sewer pipe. In case you ever wondered. Interestingly, much of the lower length of the Poddle is in a large brick tunnel; you can actually walk along it for almost three miles from Harold’s Cross to the quays.

The City Watercourse


As the population of Dublin increased and the boundaries extended somewhat, the Poddle water supply became inadequate. In April 1244 Maurice Fitzgerald, Justiciar of Ireland, commanded the sheriff of Dublin “without delay to make inquisition, with advice of the Mayor and citizens, as to whence water can be best and most conveniently taken from its course”. The city entered into an agreement with the Abbey of St. Thomas which owned the rights to the Dodder at Balrothery to reroute water from the Dodder into the Poddle.

A watercourse was constructed connecting the Dodder to the Poddle sometime between 1245 and 1324. At Firhouse Weir, south-east of Tallaght, a dam of stone – called the “Head” – was erected, by which the water supply was diverted from the Dodder river and flowed across fields, under the Tallaght road, through the grounds of Templeogue House and turned northward joined the Poddle at a lower level near Whitehall Cross Roads.

This two-mile man-made canal that came to be known as the City Watercourse. It was estimated that the watercourse supplied a daily average of 613,200 gallons to the old capital.

The City Watercourse meets the Poddle at the site of the demolished Mount Down House/Mill which is located between what is currently known as Wellington Park and Glendown Grove.

The combined Poddle and City Watercourse then flows northeast through Perrystown, Kimmage Manor, St. Anne’s, Ravensdale Park, Poddle Park and St. Martins and then it goes underground at Supervalu Sundrive (old Larkfield Mills) until it appears at the Tongue/Stoneboat off Sundrive Road.

Tongue/Stoneboat
The Poddle splits in two at a wedge/tongue shaped stone feature called “The Tongue” or “Stoneboat” at the Tongue Fields near Mount Argus. Two thirds flow through the original course to the city through Mount Argus, Harold’s Cross and Blackpitts .

The City Watercourse carries the remaining one third west. It skirts St. Jerome’s cemetery, and, through a beautiful stretch of land, flows to Dolphin’s Barn and thence by the rampart known as “The Back of the Pipes” to the old City Basin at James’s street. The waterworks in James’s St. was a fashionable resort of the citizens during the 18th century, and bands and concerts were provided. The Civic Fathers were wise in their selection of this high ground for their cistern or reservoir, as the city then stood on a height, between James’s Street and the Castle, and the flow of water was natural from that spot. From James’s Street to the city the water-way ran through Thomas Street and High Street to the conduit opposite Christ Church and the Tholsel or Town Hall.

The course down Thomas Street and High Street was an open stream, with high banks, up to a certain point not clearly located, from which point the water seems to have been conveyed in open wooden troughs to the public conduit. Several small cisterns were supplied by it en route. From the conduit at Christ Church and the small cisterns, leaden pipes conveyed the water to the residences of such of the citizens as had special grants from the Corporation.


People


Explore historical figures and families like Plunkett Family, Sister Ann Dominica Fitzgerald, Red Hugh O’ Donnell, Domville Family, John le Decer, Lord Iveagh – Edward Guinness, Dean Swift, George Carr Shaw, Shaw Family and learn more about their associations with the Poddle.


Poddle related phrases

Poddle Act
Is an act relating to the River Poddle [1821, 1840]
“An Act for preventing the Inundations of the Poddle River in Dublin, and for preserving the Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick and the Houses of the adjoining Inhabitants from the Damages arising therefrom”.
See more: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1840/act/58/enacted/en/html

Poddle Tax
Poddle Tax was a tax paid by the houses built over the course of the stream to keeping the walls and arches in repair. In later years, houses and kennels that would discharge in to the river would also have to pay the tax.
View news articles related to Poddle Tax

Poddle Hole
A name for the covered channels of the Poddle River near St Patrick’s Cathedral.
View news articles about the Poddle Hole

Poddle Hole Step
A ”Poddle Hole Step” is to give the foot a sudden plunge in the gutter and bespatter those the favour is intended.
Read more: “http://poddle.crumlincommunitycleanup.ie/news/two-centuries-ago-2/

Poddleologist
A term used for people who are interested in the Poddle River coined by Sister Ann Dominica.

Poddle Guard
A group of twenty soldiers that the government established in 1725 at a barracks near St Patrick’s Cathedral to keep “Dean Swift” from using mobs from the liberties to intimidate the government.
View some articles on the Poddle Guard

New Row on the Poddle
The old name for New Row used in 1700s

Cross Poddle
Was the name given to to what is now Dean Street, close to St Patrick’s Cathedral. In Rocque’s 1757 Dublin City & Environs map, the location is displayed as “The Poddle” and in “1780’s Pool and Cash map” (shown below), the “1787 Dublin City, John Rocque & Bernard” map and the “1797 Dublin City, with wards” it is referred to as “Poddle”.

1780’s Pool and Cash map of present day Dean Street

The first reference we found to “Cross Poddle” on maps was a 1818 map of the precincts of St. Patrick’s Cathedral

A 19th-century plan of the precincts of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, showing River Poddle, Cross Poddle.

The 1850 GPO Directory lists the street as Dean Street. You can view news articles related to Cross Poddle in the Landmarks page.


Industry and Mills

As with all rivers, the Poddle has had a long history with industry and mills. A location with a water source was ideal for mills, tanneries, breweries, distilleries and other industries.

Mills
In its time the Poddle supplied water to Dublin’s households, served numerous mills and was the great industrial river of the city, and for long the only water supply for Dublin’s citizens. As many as fifty-two mills had their wheels turned by the Poddle. When the mills and tanneries in Dublin declined, the Poddle was gradually arched over, its banks neglected, its streams becoming hidden. It still flows from the Tallaght to the Liffey, but many people are unaware of its existence.

Notable Buildings

There were a number of notable buildings built along the course of the Poddle, many of which are no longer in existence.. Some of the most notable buildings include: Templeogue House, Kimmage Manor, Larkfield Mill Mount Argus, National Boxing Stadium, St. Thomas Abbey, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Archiepiscopal Palace, Dublin Castle and Olympia Theatre.

Weather Events

Weather events such as storms and heavy rain throughout the years have caused flooding along the river Poddle. Building developments close to the river and poor management of the river has led to damaged property, loss of lives and sinkholes appearing in gardens.

For further information see under “Flooding” in the Themes tab.

Culverts

Man-made efforts to control the river and prevent it from flooding buildings and streets in proximity to its banks have led to the Poddle in large parts being “culverted”, sending the river underground in large concrete pipes and tunnels. Most of the river from Mount Argus to Wellington Quay has been sent underground with concrete walls, pipes and tunnels being added and the once great water course of considerable magnitude now sneaks beneath Dublin as if it is ashamed of itself. Every so often a sinkhole will appear when these underground tunnels collapse. There are plans to improve Flood Defences along its course to alleviate flooding possibilities.

Association with pollution

The Poddle has had a long association with dirt, pollution and litter. In the 13th century the river was called Glascholach: from the Irish “Glas” — a Stream, and “Salach”—dirty.
The river was referred to by the names Soulagh and Salach, meaning dirty in Irish, relates to the polluted state of the river throughout time. The Dubliners sang about it in the song “Down by the River Saile”.

Water Supply

Water supplies
Until 1254, the citizens of Dublin secured the majority of their water for the City from the Poddle. The City Watercourse, a diversion of water from the river Dodder to increase the flow of the Poddle to St. Thomas Abbey, allowed citizens to be supplied by means of watercourses to public fountains and by pipes to private houses. The watercourses were open and the water flowed along the street in wooden pipes to the houses specially supplied. It was only the wealthy or important people who had water supplied to their houses.

The common folk were not neglected, and in many instances the wealthier burgesses were allowed sufficient water to supply the want of their poorer neighbours, who came and drew from these private fountains. Sometimes a landlord supplied his tenants from his own cistern by a number of pipes. The Corporation expressly insisted that these pipes should not be thicker than a goose quill.

In 1308, the charitable Mayor of the time, John le Decer, built a great marble cistern at Cornmarket, called the “High Pipe” for the greater convenience of the citizens who wished to introduce pipes from it into their houses.

To keep such an open water-way in proper repair and condition was no easy matter and to stop mills abusing water use, there were two men employed and given the title “Bearer of the Footmen Banner”. The mills would have to pay these guardians tithes of corn for the supply of water to them. Each citizen using the water supply had to pay a fee of 12d towards the cost of repairing the leaden pipes in the city.

Wooden troughs were widely used but considering the primitive contrivance of wooden troughs, it was an easy matter for Silken Thomas in the year 1534, with his forces assembled in Thomas Street, to cut the pipes and starve the citizens of their fresh water. This system of open wooden troughs lasted until late in the 18th century, when wooden pipes were introduced, but these gave way in a short time to a “curious system of metal and wooden pipes.” It was not until 1802 that an important improvement was made in the structure of the pipes: “it was found that those of wood rapidly decayed, and iron tubes were then laid.”

Weaponising the Poddle
The water supply of Dublin passed through the Domville family lands in Templeogue. In certain instances Compton Domville would cut the current and stop the flow of water to the city. The Lord Lieutenant would despatch a force of horse and foot to beat back the Domvilles’ retainers from their attacks on the city’s water needs.
In one instance, Compton Domville defeated the “aims-of-justice” when his nephew Lord Santry had been sentenced to death for the murder of a poor man named Loughlan Murphy. The irate Sir Compton saved his relation by the threat that if he perished the people of Dublin would thirst. Repetitions of this performance of 1739 were no longer possible when the Grand Canal commenced its supply in 1775.