Dunlavin
Dunlavin () is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland, situated about south-west of Dublin. It is centred on the junction of the R412 and R756 regional roads. It was founded around the end of the 17th century and became a prominent town in the area for a time. Rathsallagh House Golf & Country Club and the Wicklow National Park are both nearby. Dunlavin is also close to the Curragh and Punchestown racecourses in County Kildare. Dunlavin's unusually wide streets are characteristic of the village. The courthouse in the centre of the village, built in the Doric style of Grecian  architecture, was built c.1740 and was formerly used as a market house. The Dunlavin Festival of Arts, which is held each year in late June, has been running since 1982. History. The settlement of Dunlavin was founded during the late 1650s by the Bulkely family from Cheshire (occasionally and erroneously referred to as "Buckley"). In 1702, Heather Bulkely married James Worth-Tynte and started the long association of the Tynte family with Dunlavin. In 1777 the Dunlavin Light Dragoon's were founded as a Volunteer corps, which were raised to defend Ireland from French invasion. The Massacre of Dunlavin Green  occurred in 1798. The Catholic Church (dedicated to St Nicholas of Myra) was built on adjacent land donated by the local Tynte family. The church dates from 1815, although Catholic worship was observed on the site prior to this. Education. There are local schools: Jonathan Swift National School (primary, with a Church of Ireland ethos), St. Nicholas of Myra National School (primary, with a Catholic ethos), St. Kevin's Community College (secondary and vocational) and a preschool located beside Jonathan Swift National School. Transport. Rail. Dunlavin railway station opened on 22 June 1885, as part of the line from Sallins  to Tullow. It closed to passengers on 27 January 1947 and to goods traffic on 10 March 1947, and closed completely on 1 April 1959 along with the rest of the line. The station building is now a private residence. Road. Classic and vintage motor enthusiasts are catered for by the West Wicklow Classic & Vintage Vehicles Club. The scenic R756 road leads from Dunlavin to Glendalough crossing the Wicklow Gap.