NORTH OF THE RIVER

ORIGINAL IMAGES BY A REAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Home » Chapelizod

Chapelizod

CHAPELIZOD WEIR APRIL 2024

by

I WAS A BIT DISAPPOINTED BY WHAT I COULD SEE FROM MAIDEN’S ROW

I was a bit disappointed by what I saw.

Apparently the rusted metal and sluice gates that I saw are an important part of the weir but not the whole picture. The next time that I visit I know what else to look for:

The Main Structure: The weir itself is a low, diagonal stone wall built across the River Liffey. It curves gently, and its primary purpose is to control water flow and create a more navigable section of the river.

The Full Sweep: To fully appreciate the weir I need to try to find a vantage point (further upstream might be good) where I can see its entire length stretching across the river.

Upstream from the weir, the water is calmer, almost still, while just downstream there are small rapids and a more turbulent flow.

The Chapelizod Weir has been a fixture on the Liffey for centuries! Here’s a bit of its story:

Early Days: It was likely constructed around 1800, making it over 200 years old. While the exact purpose of the original weir isn’t entirely clear, historians suggest several possibilities:

Navigation: Making the Liffey more navigable for trade vessels.
Industry: Powering mills or other industries in the vibrant village of Chapelizod.
Remnants of the Past: Those rusted sluice gates and metal bits hint at the weir’s industrial past and its original function of controlling water flow.

Why is the Weir Important?

Landscape: The weir contributes significantly to the beauty and character of Chapelizod. The curve of the weir and the way it alters the river’s flow create a visually appealing and unique feature.

Historic Landmark: As a structure from the early 1800s, it’s a testament to the village’s industrial past and how communities interacted with the river.

Ecosystem: Weirs can play a role in the river’s ecology. They can create habitats and help with fish passage (there’s a fish pass at the Chapelizod Weir).

THE OLD HOUSE AT 34 MAIN STREET

by

IS A LARGE UNOCCUPIED OR DERELICT BUILDING IN CAPELIZOD VILLAGE

The old house at 34 Main Street in Chapelizod is a significant historical building.

It’s a detached, three-bay, three-storey early Georgian house over a raised basement, built circa 1740.

The house is well-proportioned and contributes to the eclectic character of Chapelizod.

It was the early childhood home of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, a renowned Gothic horror writer.

The house also features prominently in Le Fanu’s 1863 novel “The House by the Churchyard”.

Unfortunately, due to neglect, the building’s internal floors have collapsed.

CHAPELIZOD GATE AND ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL IN PHOENIX PARK

by

EASTER WEEK 2024

My original intention was to photograph the Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park, but things didn’t go according to plan. Finding myself at the Chapelizod Gate instead, I decided to explore the area near what is now St. Mary’s Hospital.

1833 – Chapelizod Gate Lodge: A Gem of Park Architecture: Located at the Chapelizod entrance to the vast Phoenix Park in Dublin, stands the charming Chapelizod Gate Lodge. Designed in 1833 by renowned architect Decimus Burton, it’s widely considered one of the most attractive structures within the park.

St. Mary’s Hospital, located in Phoenix Park, Dublin, offers stroke rehabilitation to patients of all ages. It also provides inpatient rehabilitation and residential care to older persons. As a multidisciplinary community hospital, it offers outpatient services through its Day Hospital.

A Rich History: From Military School to Healthcare

The buildings that now house St. Mary’s Hospital were originally constructed for the Royal Hibernian Military School. Founded in 1769 as the Hibernian Asylum by the Hibernian Society (a philanthropic organisation), the school aimed to support the children of soldiers. In 1922, amidst political change, the school relocated to Shorncliffe, England, and the buildings were handed over to the newly formed Irish Government.

The Irish Army initially used the buildings as a hospital. In 1948, it was transferred to the Dublin Health Authority and became a Chest Hospital. Since 1964, the facility has provided care for older patients, offering accommodation for dependent individuals.

Modernisation and Expansion

St. Mary’s Hospital recently underwent a major renovation in late 2020, upgrading its facilities to modern healthcare standards. Its inpatient capacity has increased from 48 to 101 sub-acute rehabilitation beds, further supporting regional acute hospitals. Phase 2 of the infrastructure upgrade will expand and modernise the hospital’s x-ray department.

The Phoenix Park Community Nursing Unit (PPCNU), located on the same site, provides residential care to older adults with 150 beds.

The Impact of COVID-19

Sadly, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic affected St. Mary’s Hospital and its patients. In April 2020, the HSE confirmed that 21 patients had died at the hospital since the beginning of the month, all of whom tested positive for COVID-19.

Legacy of the Royal Hibernian Military School

In 1922, the Royal Hibernian Military School moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, England, due to the changing political landscape in Ireland. It was eventually merged with the Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DYRMS) in 1924. The colours of the RHMS and other memorials can still be found in the DYRMS chapel in Dover, England, where the school continues to operate.

A WALK ALONG CHAPELIZOD ROAD

by

FROM DUBLIN TO THE VILLAGE 18 MARCH 2024

Chapelizod Road is a historic road in Dublin, Ireland, stretching from the edge of Phoenix Park to the heart of the charming village of Chapelizod. Its history is intertwined with the village itself, offering a glimpse into Dublin’s past and present.

Chapelizod, derived from “Chapel of Isolde” (La Chapelle d’Iseult), references a chapel believed to be associated with the legendary Tristan and Isolde. The area dates back to pre-Christian times and was once a significant stop on the route leading west from Dublin.

The Vikings established a settlement in the area, leaving their mark on the landscape.

Chapelizod saw the construction of St. Laurence’s Church in the 13th century, with other historical structures and mills lining the River Liffey. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary a striking Roman Catholic Church, designed by John Bourke and opened in 1849, reflects the era of Catholic Emancipation and is a notable architectural feature on Chapelizod Road.

Chapelizod Road evolved into a major route during the Victorian era, connecting Dublin city centre to the growing village and beyond.

LIFFEY VALLEY PARK AT CHAPELIZOD ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER

by

ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE ENTRANCE TO PHOENIX PARK

To the best of my knowledge this public space in Chapelizod is indeed part of a larger envisioned linear park along the River Liffey.

A few years ago I first came across this park but I could not gain access as the gate was locked. Today I had intended to photograph the Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park but got off the 26 bus at the wrong stop so I decided to walk towards Chapelizod and enter the park via the Chapelizod Gate.

Liffey Valley Park, also known as Liffey Vale, is located between Anna Livia Bridge in Chapelizod and the War Memorial Gardens west of Islandbridge.

The park is bound on the north by Chapelizod Road and on the south by the River Liffey, which is the defining aspect of the space. Within 3km of the city centre, Liffey Vale forms a perfect location for formal and informal recreation and is of significant ecological and historical interest.

The park provides an extremely attractive riverside setting to anglers, walkers, cyclists and watersports activities. The unique collection of rowing clubs on the northern bank reflects the national importance of this stretch of the river.

The eastern side of the site comprises of an open plot owned by the Department of Defence which adjoins the derelict building of Liffey Vale and the remnants of its semi walled gardens and orchards.

The eastern boundary comprises of non-native trees and shrubs which border onto playing fields owned by the OPW. This strip of land was historically known as the Long Meadows, which formed part of the original Royal Deer Park until 1680. Much of the Long Meadows were used as allotments in the twentieth century.

Future Plans There are plans for a biodiversity centre to host school tours and visitors, to deliver a new café for the area, and be a hub in Dublin for biodiversity education.

The restoration of the derelict Georgian building and associated gardens of Liffey Vale House & Garden will incorporate interpretation of the River Liffey and the riverine environment, a cafe and bus drop off point, educational outdoor spaces incorporating the existing small wetland and woodland area close by, thereby establishing Liffey Vale as the focal hub for a planned wider valley park route.

You will find links to buy products from Amazon, Google and other partners. If you click on these links, you’ll find that the URL includes a small extra piece of text which identifies that the click came from my websites. This text is an affiliate code, and it means that I get a small payment if you choose to buy that product. These affiliate links help pay the costs of producing my websites and ensure that the content is free to you.