Ardattin

Ardattin also (Ard aitinn – Hill of the Furze)

The present Church in Ardattin dates back to 1956. It s style is Romanesque. The old Chapel of St Patrick, which dated back to Penal Times, was closed in 1955 and was converted into a community hall. Bishop Thomas Keogh D.D. turned the first sod for The Immaculate Conception Church in April 1954 on a site donated to the parish by Mr. Matthew Murphy of Ardoyne, Tullow.

The Architect for the new Church was Charles Powell and the builders were D. & J. Carbury from Athy. The building cost £24,000 and all phases of construction wwere closely observed by Fr. James Doyle, Administrator of Tullow Parish. Building progressed well and the new Church was opened and dedicated in 1955 as the Church of the Immaculate Conception Ardattin.

ARDATTIN

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in the village of Ardattin and in 2006 celebrated its 50th anniversary. The National School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005.

The population of Ardattin is approximately 400 people. It is a thriving community with plans for greater development. Facilities include a Grotto, Sports Ground, Community Hall, Craft Centre, Handball Alley, Shop and Public House, and Public Toilets. There is a very good athletics track in the village that is used by the Athletics Club and by some of the other eighteen clubs in the area. The Village has entered the National Tidy Towns Competition for the past twenty eight years and has won many prizes.

A feature of the Village, which locals enjoy on a Summer’s evening, is the 100+ year old beech tree that stands at the main junction. A seat provided beneath the tree is used by local youths as they wait for the school bus in the morning and by adults as they sit and chat on warm evenings.

Some items of historical interest have been developed as features in the Village. The Bullain Stone, located beside the Ball Alley is believed to have been of some importance in the early Christian period and there are various theories about the use of these stones. A stone trough, believed to be of ancient origin, adorns the entrance to Beechwood Drive.