Dartmouth Square
| Dartmouth Square | |
|---|---|
| Cearnóg Dartmouth | |
 Dartmouth Square in June 2008 | |
 | |
| Type | Garden Square |
| Location | Dublin,Ireland |
| OSI/OSNI grid | O 16266 32509 |
| Coordinates | 53°19′49″N6°15′19″W/ 53.330281°N 6.255374°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 hectares)[1] |
| Operated by | Dublin City Council |
Dartmouth Square(Irish:Cearnóg Dartmouth) is aVictorianGarden squarelocated nearRanelagh,inDublin,Ireland.[2]It has a simple rectangular layout, including a low granite plinth wall, a pergola and its walkway, and broadleaf mature trees which enclose the space. The park boundary is marked by the original wrought iron railings and gates.
History[edit]
The square was originally part of the Darley Estate. The park was developed along with the surrounding terraces of red brick houses, and was intended for private use by the residents.
When the maintenance of the park became a financial burden to the residents of the square, it was leased to Loreto Hockey Club - in 1926 - for use as a hockey pitch for alumni. Later, it was used by current students of theLoreto College, St Stephen's Green.Differing accounts say that hockey was either played in the square until the 1950s, or that it stopped in the 1930s, when it became harder to maintain. The park began to decline and was overgrown.
In 1987, the Residents Association approached Dublin Lord Mayor, MrsCarmencita Hederman,which in turn led to the City Manager, MrFrank Feely,and his office working with the community to make the park a Dublin Millennium Year project. The park was cleaned, a new pergola was erected, paths were realigned and widened, and flower beds were planted. The public park was opened andDublin City Councilopened a ten year lease. The construction and cleanup work was completed in 1988.
The lease expired in 1997, and talks took place between Dublin City Council and the Darley Estate while Dublin City Council continued to maintain the park.
Controversy[edit]
The square became the subject of controversy in 2005, when it emerged that years previously, businessman Noel O'Gara, bought thefreeholdon the square for £10,000 from PJ Darley, a descendant of the square's builders.[2][3]O'Gara locked the gates on the park in the square in 2006.[4]He tried to operate it as a car park but local residents blocked the gates.[4]After 3 years of dispute with residents and Dublin City Council an agreement was negotiated with Noel O'Gara by a local resident to reopen the square to be used as an amenity again. The local community gathered regularly to clean up the square which was in a state of ruin after years with no maintenance.
In December 2012, the square was sold at auction on instruction of the liquidator of Marble Tile and Granite. A group of local residents bought the square at this auction and donated it back to DCC.[5]Noel O'Gara protested at the sale, though the property was eventually sold toDublin City Councilfor €142,000, with a contribution of €32,000 from local residents. The square is now wholly owned by Dublin City Council.[5]
Famous residents[edit]
Luke Kellyof the Dubliners folk group lived in at no.7 Dartmouth Square.[6][7]The artistPauline Bewickrefers to his house at a time when she was romantically involved with him.[8]
In addition there it is claimed that the following were born or resided there:[9]
- No. 23,Alfred (Alfie) Byrne,Lord Mayor of Dublin
- No. 51,Frank Duff,founder of the Legion of Mary
- No. 55, Joseph Michael O'Byrne, 1916 veteran and Registrar of Deeds, Land Registry Office, Dublin
- No. 57,Paul Durcan,poet, was born at this house
- No. 61,Micheal MacLiammoir,actor and playwright andHilton Edwards,actor and producer
- No. 62,Thomas Lopdell O'Shaughnessy,Recorder for Dublin
- Power O'Mara, Globe Theatre Company and eldest son of opera singer Joseph O'Mara
- Barry Fitzgerald(William Joseph Shields), an Oscar winning actor.
- Donagh MacDonagh,writer, playwright and broadcaster
References[edit]
- ^"A brief history of Dartmouth Square"(PDF).Dublin City Council.Dublin City Council.Retrieved20 February2019.
- ^abDartmouth Square owner to challenge ruling,RTÉ News,25 September 2006, retrieved 4 September 2009
- ^Dartmouth park to reopen after deal reached with owner,Steven Carroll,The Irish Times,10 June 2009
- ^abO'Gara vows Supreme Court bid to stop council buying his public park,Irish Independent,26 September 2006, retrieved 4 September 2009
- ^abPope, Conor (5 December 2012)."Locals jointly buy Dartmouth Square park".The Irish Times.Retrieved5 December2012.
- ^"A brief history of Dartmouth Square. Ranelagh, Dublin 6 - PDF Free Download".docplayer.net.Retrieved6 November2023.
- ^Fitzpatrick, Richard (24 January 2014)."Luke Kelly remembered: A force of nature on stage".Irish Examiner.Retrieved6 November2023.
- ^Times, Senior (15 October 2015)."The Lives and Loves of Pauline Bewick".Senior Times.Retrieved6 November2023.
- ^"A brief history of Dartmouth Square. Ranelagh, Dublin 6 - PDF Free Download".docplayer.net.Retrieved6 November2023.