There is an early reference in Bluebell cemetery Church ruins dated 1254 when the people who lived here were most likely part of the Barnwall's Drimnagh Castle estate and home farm. Bluebell was part of the Civil Parish of Clondalkin. Until the 1950s, Bluebell was mainly a market garden and farming community on the outskirts of the City. It was developed for residential housing by the Dublin City Council in the post war housing program, which brought an influx of young families into the area. Over the years, the area became heavily industrialised development with the coming of paper mills, making use of the Camac river for their water supply. Gradually more industry moved into the area like Lambs, Roadstone, Nugget, McInerneys, Fiat and Volkswagen.
Amenities
The local An Postpost office is located on La Touche Road. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Wayside, is one of the larger buildings. It is situated on the Old Naas Road, adjacent to Bluebell Luas stop. The 91st Dublin Scout Den serves both Bluebell and the neighbouring suburb of Inchicore and meets in the Oblates Father's, Inchicore. Bluebell has one pub – the Cottage Inn – located on Bluebell Avenue. There are no supermarkets or major shopping centres. Small traders include newsagents hairdressers and fast food outlets which are concentrated on the Old Naas Road near the Church. The primary school, also called Our Lady of the Wayside is located on Bluebell Road. The school was opened in 1960 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. There is also St Cillians National School.
Local landmarks
There are few local historic landmarks within the area of Bluebell. Bluebell cemetery would be a prime reason to visit the suburb for many people with friends and relatives buried there. A ruined medieval church is located in the cemetery. In 2008 Local artist and environmentalist Fiann Ó Nualláin begun a project 'Bluebells for Bluebell' the aim to encourage locals to plant their place name. Supported by The railway procurement agency and Dublin city Council, the project has seen the reintroduction of native Irish bluebells into the green verges and public spaces around the bluebell environs. The main attraction being the name stone green facing the luas stop which has been transformed into an urban woodland habitat for bluebells. A striking sight to behold each Easter as the thousands of bluebells bloom. The dominant style of the area is that of a mid-20th century popular housing development – almost exclusively in deep red brick. The most distinctive buildings of the Bluebell area are that of the local Catholic church, built in an Italianate style with a lighter shade of red brick which contrasts to the dominant dark red of the surrounding residential and commercial buildings. Bluebell is located near the start of the Naas dual carriageway. The district also borders the Grand Canal. This project suggests that a better Irish name would be Choinnle Corra - the Irish for the Bluebell Flower - rather than the cloigin gorm which suggests a small bell blue in colour. The historical archives do not provide evidence of a coloured bell.
Administration
In administrative terms, Bluebell is in Dublin City Council and in local government elections is part of the Ballyfermot-Drimnagh Ward. Bluebell is part of the Dublin South-Central Dáil constituency.
