Stepaside, Dublin

Stepaside is a village in the townland of Kilgobbin.

It's located in south County Dublin, in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Ireland. The area is 4 km south of Dundrum.

History
Stepaside developed in the 18th and early 19th centuries when the adjacent medieval settlement of Kilgobbin was bypassed by a new stretch of the Enniskerry Road, built from what is now Lamb's Cross through to Kilternan. Stepaside became a new staging post along this route, while Kilgobbin Road with its coaching inn (now Oldtown House) was no longer used by goods traffic or stagecoaches.

Stepaside is home to Kilgobbin Church, built in the 17th century.

History and development
Previously a separate rural village in the early 21st century, Stepaside has been absorbed by the Dublin conurbation to the north and east, and has seen accompanying residential development and population growth.

In 2007, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council announced plans to build a community park for the Carrickmines, Ballyogan, and Stepaside areas. A large civic centre in the area is named after Samuel Beckett.

Population
As of the 2016 census, the population of the Glencullen electoral area, which includes the villages of Stepaside, Glencullen and Kiltiernan, was 19,773 in total.

Location and access
Stepaside lies on the R117 regional road to the south-east of the city, at the foot of Three Rock Mountain. The area is also just off Junction 14 of the M50 motorway. Neighbouring areas include Sandyford, Kilternan, Ballyogan, Leopardstown, Carrickmines, Belarmine and Glencullen.

Stepaside is served by Dublin Bus routes 44, 47 and 118 and Go-Ahead Ireland 63 and 63a. The Luas Green Line has been extended to Cherrywood and the nearest stops (Glencairn and The Gallops) are approximately 2 km from the centre of Stepaside. Stepaside is located 13.2 kilometres / 8.2 miles from Dublin City (a 33 minute ride on the Luas).

Parks, gardens and hiking
Dublin’s newest public park is in Stepaside – the former estate of Fernhill House, which was opened to the public in 2019. It has heritage buildings, garden areas, parkland and woods, located close to Stepaside village (one entrance is opposite the Belarmine development). Ticknock Forest is also nearby, along with several hiking trails.

Facilities and businesses
Stepaside village has a post office and a Garda station. It also has a number of pubs and restaurants, including a chipper, pub, restaurant and wine bar. Grocery shops include a small supermarket, fishmongers and butchers. There is also a pharmacy, medical practice, some salons and a clothes shop, as well as an estate agents.

Schools
There are several schools in Stepaside including Educate Together primary and secondary schools, and a private secondary school for girls.

Sport
Local soccer (association football) clubs include Stepaside F.C., and Wayside Celtic F.C. at Kilternan. There is also an all-weather pitch at Jamestown in Stepaside. While there are no Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in the area, nearby clubs include Naomh Olaf (Sandyford), Kilmacud Crokes (Stillorgan), and Stars of Erin (Glencullen).

There are a number of golf courses, driving ranges and par 3 golf facilities in the area. These include Stepaside Golf Course, Stepaside Golf Centre, and pitch and putt / par-3 courses at The Burrow and Jamestown.

People
Former or current residents of Stepaside village have included:
 * Alan Byrne, retired soccer player of the 1980s and 1990s
 * Mick Curley, chairman of the National Referees' Association, was stationed in the village in the 1970s as a Garda superintendent
 * Joe Elliott, the Sheffield-born lead singer of Def Leppard, lives in the area
 * Neale Richmond, Fine Gael politician
 * Hal Roach, comedian.