The name Blanchardstown comes from the Blanchard family, who were granted their estate sometime between 1250 and 1260. The name 'Blanchard' is thought to come from the old French word blanch, meaning white, and could refer to white or fair hair.
The townland has an area of over 454 acres.Blanchardstown is a blend of the old and the new, the local and the international, the modern and the traditional.
St. Brigid’s, the parish church, is located just off Main Street in the heart of the village. The name Blanchardstown was first used for the parish in 1824. The present church, completed in 1837, is built on the site of an earlier church dating back to the sixteenth century.
The foundation stone for the church was laid on 13 October 1835 and the first Mass was celebrated there on 29 October 1837.
The construction of the Church and its unusual Flemish spire was finally completed in 1863. The lovely church spire was restored in 1985 with the help of parishioners. When illuminated at night, it is particularly striking.
Church Micro IE caches, based on the Church Micro series by sadexploration, are designed to be reasonably quick but interesting caches linked to churches, of any denomination. Contact the_Chris if you wish to place one in the series in Ireland.