21 Milestone of the Dublin to Kilcullen Turnpike3D ModelNoAI
An Act of the Irish Parliament of 1729 set out to establish Ireland’s first toll road from Dublin City as far as Kilcullen in County Kildare. This stone, along with a small number of other surviving milestones along the route, is a reminder of the “Turnpike Road”. Turnpikes were the gates set up where a toll had to be paid to pass.
The 21 milestone is likely not in its original location. According to the Taylor Skinner map of 1777, it was located on the east side of the bridge on the hill entering the village from Dublin. However, in 1787 a new board of directors overseeing the maintenance of the road referred to the 21 milestone being west of Kilcullen Bridge. Regardless of its exact original location in the village, the distance of 21 miles from Dublin to Kilcullen clearly indicates that the measurement system being used was Irish miles. In 1826 Irish miles ceased to be used officially and were replaced by the shorter English mile. Therefore, this stone predates 1826 and is likely from the 18th century.
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