What is the history of Tallaght?
The ancient history of Tallaght holds that after the Flood a colony of Greeks, who had settled in the Dodder valley, were all killed by plague.
They were buried in a mass grave or Taimhleacht, and it is from this that the modern name of Tallaght is said to be derived. The word Tamh means an epidemic pestilence; and the term Taimhleacht (the plague monument), which frequently enters into topographical names in Ireland, signifies a place where persons cut off by pestilence were interred together.
In 769 AD St. Maelruain founded a monastery at Tallaght, which became an important centre of learning. Monks at this monastery lived a very ascetic life of study and scholarship and produced such famous books as the Martyrology of Tallaght and the Martyrology of Aengus.
Tallaght was an important strong point on the Pale during Norman times and in the 17th century was the country seat of the Archbishops of Dublin. In the 19th century the Dominican Order leased Tallaght house for use as a seminary. The Order has contributed significantly to the spiritual, social and cultural development of Tallaght since its arrival. The Dominican Priory is still an important centre of worship, education and culture in Tallaght, and boasts an outstanding library.
How is Tallaght today?
Tallaght is developing as the capital of the new county, South Dublin. Tallaght now has the basis of a self-generating new town with a population of nearly 100,000 and a wide range of activities - both public and private. It is now the third largest urban area in Ireland, after Dublin and Cork. The Village Development, the Square, the Tallaght Hospital, the Civic Offices, Library, Civic Theatre and the Luas have all helped transform and improve Tallaght. Leading companies, such as United Drug, Gilbeys, ASEA Brown Boveri, Loctite, Nestle, UPS and a host of others have joined the prestigious list of companies with their headquarters in Tallaght (some 1,000 companies provide a firm base of employment in the area).
