Douglas, County Cork

History

Douglas was first mentioned in documents in 1251. By the mid-seventeenth century, it had a population of 308 people (of whom 33 were English) and consisted of a number of large farms. The area began to develop as an urban settlement in the early eighteenth century with the opening of Donnybrook Mills in 1726. The mills produced sail-cloth and supplied sails to the Royal Navy amongst other clients. Huguenot weavers and textile workers, such as the Bernard and Pollock brothers from Belfast, came to work in the area, along with skilled workers from Ulster and Scotland. Further textile mills opened in the nineteenth century, including Lane’s Corn and Hemp Mills (1845), O’Brien’s Brothers (St Patrick’s Woollen Mills, 1882) and Conroy’s Rope and Twine Mills (1892). Most of the mills ceased to operate in the early twentieth century, although St. Patrick's Woollen Mills and Donnybrook Mills continued to operate until the 1970s.

Some of the houses built for the mill workers are still in existence, including a terrace of houses near the junction of the Grange Road and Donnybrook Hill.

Douglas developed as a suburban area throughout the later eighteenth century and the nineteenth century and a number of 'big houses' were built nearby. These included Donnybrook House, Castletreasure House, Grange House, Maryborough House (now a hotel), Douglas Hall (one of the few remaining examples of a slate-fronted house in Ireland) and Mount Vernon which had one of the earliest examples of a domestic central-heating system installed in any house in Ireland.

St. Columba’s Roman Catholic church was built in 1814 and St. Luke’s Church of Ireland church was completed in 1889. In 1898, the Cork Electric Tramways and Lighting Company built a route from Cork City to Douglas. This operated until 1932 when it was replaced by a bus service.

In the second half of the twentieth century, Douglas underwent major changes as it became a suburb of Cork. A large amount of new housing was built and the area between Douglas and Cork City became entirely built-up. Schools, shopping centres, cinemas and other amenities developed to serve this new population. Douglas Community School (see below) was built in 1968 and the original Douglas Shopping Centre was completed in 1972. This shopping centre underwent a significant redevelopment at the turn of the 21st century. A second shopping centre, Douglas Court Shopping Centre, was built in the late 1980s and a 5-screen multiplex cinema was also built. Several hotels, including the Rochestown Park Hotel and Maryborough House Hotel were also developed. Douglas has two golf courses, Douglas Golf Club at Maryborough Hill and Frankfield Golf Club in Frankfield. The Frankfield course also contains a driving range.

The expansion of suburban residential development continued throughout the later part of the twentieth century. Housing developments (mostly private, although there are some areas of social housing) have been built in Grange, Donnybrook, Frankfield, Maryborough, Rochestown, Mount Oval and along the two main roads connecting Douglas to Cork city, the Douglas Road and the South Douglas Road.

Shopping and business

The village centre has two principal commercial streets, Douglas East and Douglas West, which are situated approximately 300m apart. However, most retail activity takes place in the two shopping centres, Douglas Village Shopping Centre (anchored by Tesco, Marks and Spencer and TK Maxx) and Douglas Court Shopping Centre (anchored by Dunnes Stores).

Douglas was formerly the site of the headquarters of Cork and Limerick Savings Bank. However, this bank was merged into Trustee Savings Bank in 1992. The former headquarters was initially still used for regional administration, but this function was transferred to a new building in Cork Airport Business Park.

A farmers market is held every Saturday morning and Friday evening by the eastern entrance of the Douglas Village Shopping Centre.

Nationality

In the 2011 census, the percentage of Irish nationals living in Douglas was 90.4%. UK nationals accounted for 1.8%; Polish nationals 1.7%; Lithuanians 0.6%; Other EU nationals 1.7%; Other nationals 3.3%; 0.5% did not state their nationality.

Religion

In the 2011 census, 87.1% of Douglas residents identified as Catholic; 7.2% were members of other religions; 4.6% had no religion; 1.1% did not state a religion.

GAA

GAA clubs in the area include the Douglas GAA and Nemo Rangers hurling and football clubs. Nemo Rangers were historically associated with Turners Cross, but moved to a new location in the Trabeg area of Douglas in the 1990s.

In the 2004, 2007 and 2012 u10 Community Games, Douglas won the Cork Community Games, the Munster Community Games and the all-Ireland Community Games.

Association football

Local association football (soccer) clubs include Tramore Athletic FC, Grangevale AFC, College Corinthians and Douglas Hall AFC.

Golf

There are also local golf (and pitch and putt) clubs, including Douglas Golf Club, Frankfield Golf Club and Douglas Pitch and Putt Club.

Rugby union

Douglas has representation in rugby union, and Douglas RFC was initially founded as one of the earliest Cork rugby clubs in 1902 in the (then) rural village of Douglas. This club is believed to be an offshoot of the social activities of St Patrick’s Woollen Mills. Early reports are sketchy, although club match reports can be viewed in early newspapers up to 1914. From 1914 onwards there is no mention until 1979 when the club was restarted by two local men, Joe O'Reilly (involved in local politics and sport) and Séamus Corkery (formerly of Cork Constitution).

Other sports

Other sports and clubs include tennis (Douglas Tennis Club), basketball (Fr. Mathews Basketball Club), gymnastics (at Douglas Gymnastics Club), cricket (Cork Harlequins), martial arts (Elite Fitness Centre) and hockey (Cork Harlequins and Church of Ireland Hockey Club, Garryduff).

Road

The N40 passes through Douglas, but it is not possible to turn onto it in an eastbound direction and westbound traffic may not leave the road. Fuller access is available via the N28 from nearby Rochestown.

Douglas is served by a number of R-standard roads:

Bus

Bus services are provided by Bus Éireann:

Rail

The nearest active railway station is Cork Kent railway station, approximately 5 km away. Until 1932, Douglas was served by the Blackpool-Douglas route of the Cork Electric Tramways and Lighting Company.

Notable residents

Education

Primary Education:

Secondary:

Religious congregations