Clondalkin is a parish situated on the banks of the river Camac five miles south west of the city of Dublin. It derives its name from the Gaeilge of Cluain Dolcáin - meaning Dolcan's meadow. It has had a turbulent history being plundered and burned in 832, 1071 and 1076. It was the site of skirmishes between Roderick O’Connor, King of Leinster, and Strongbow in 1171. A document dating from 1547 enumerates Clondalkin amongst the "walled and good towns" of Ireland.