Monkstown, suburb in Leinster, Ireland
Monkstown is a small village on the coast in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, situated between Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire. It consists of quiet streets lined with Victorian and Georgian buildings, two historic churches on Carrickbrennan Road, the remains of a medieval castle near the water, and a Martello Tower from the 1800s at Seapoint Beach.
The area took its name from monks who established a monastery here and worked the land until the medieval period, when a castle was built around the 12th to 13th century. Growth accelerated dramatically in the 1800s with the arrival of the railway, construction of new homes, and later a harbor, prompted by an 1807 shipwreck that revealed the need for safe landing.
The name Monkstown comes from the monks who established a monastery here centuries ago and worked the surrounding land. Today, residents actively explore and share this heritage through local walks and community gatherings that celebrate the area's roots.
The village is easily reached by trains and buses that connect it to Dublin city and other parts of Ireland, plus a direct service to Dublin Airport. The paths along the coast are suitable for walking, especially on warmer days, and there are several small beaches and parks to explore.
The local tennis club, founded in the late 1800s, was the first of its kind in Ireland and reflects the long tradition of sport in the community. Visitors can also spot hidden details like Ogee windows on older buildings, a special window shape from earlier centuries.
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