Phoenix Park

IN THE PAST THEY COULD BE ACCESSED FROM PHOENIX PARK OR FROM INFIRMARY ROAD

June 11, 2024 by infomatique

UNUSED PUBLIC TOILETS

In 2021 I came across the following by Councillor Ray McAdam: Dublin City Council is contacting the Office of Public Works to establish what the long-term plans are for the unused public toilets along Infirmary Road beside the 46 Dublin Bus stop.

MILITARY ROAD AND VIEWS FROM THE ROAD

April 13, 2024 by infomatique

PHOENIX PARK APRIL 2024

Military Road: A Historical and Scenic Route in Phoenix Park

Located within Dublin’s sprawling Phoenix Park, Military Road holds both historical significance and natural beauty. Let’s explore its features:

Origins: The name “Military Road” hints at its past. It was constructed in the 18th century to connect the Royal Magazine Fort (where ammunition was stored) to other military installations throughout the park.

Route: Military Road stretches roughly east-west. It begins near the park’s Chapelizod Gate entrance and extends across much of the park’s southern portion. It’s a popular route for cyclists, joggers, and walkers.

Landmarks: Along Military Road, you’ll encounter several notable features:

Cricket and Soccer Grounds: The park boasts numerous sports fields, including cricket and soccer (football) pitches, used by local teams and clubs.
Deer-Keepers’ Lodges: Charming historic lodges once housing the park’s deer-keepers are dotted along the road. These picturesque buildings add to the area’s ambiance.

Wildlife: Unsurprisingly, Phoenix Park’s famous herd of fallow deer are often spotted grazing near Military Road.
Tree-lined Beauty: Mature trees flank much of Military Road, creating a beautiful, shaded canopy for visitors, especially in the warmer months.

Access to Other Attractions: Military Road provides convenient access to other parts of the park, including the Dublin Zoo and the People’s Gardens, making it a great base to explore from.

Additional Notes:

While generally enjoyable for cars, be aware some sections of Military Road can get busy during peak hours.
The road hosts parking areas, making it an easy place to start your Phoenix Park adventure.
If you’re visiting Phoenix Park, a stroll or cycle along Military Road promises a mix of history, natural beauty, and glimpses into Dublin’s park life.

ANOTHER FALLEN TREE DID ANYONE HEAR IT FALL

April 13, 2024 by infomatique

MILITARY ROAD PHOENIX PARK

Unfortunately, there’s no centralised database that precisely tracks the number of trees falling over in storms throughout Ireland. Here’s why, and what we do know:

Challenges in Tracking Fallen Trees

No Central Reporting: There’s no requirement for landowners or park management to report fallen trees to a central authority unless they cause damage or block public access.

Varying Definitions: What constitutes a “fallen tree” can be subjective (uprooted vs. large branch down). This makes consistent data collection difficult.
Data Focus: Government forestry agencies tend to focus on windfall (trees blown over) in commercial forests for economic reasons, not on individual trees in every storm.

What We Do Know

Storms and Tree Loss: Ireland has definitely experienced severe storms in recent years, logically leading to increased tree fall.
Anecdotal Evidence: News sources like those below provide a sense of the issue:
One per cent of ALL the trees in Ireland’s forests fell down in the storms – The Journal: https://www.thejournal.ie/trees-felled-storms-1345314-Mar2014/

Three Dark Hedges Beech Trees lost in Storm Isha – Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust CCGHT: https://ccght.org/three-dark-hedges-beech-trees-lost-in-storm-isha/

Climate Change Potential: It’s plausible that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense storms, increasing the risk of tree falls in the long term.

Policies on Fallen Trees (Public Parks)

This varies greatly depending on the specific park and local council. Factors influencing what’s done with fallen trees include:

Safety: Immediate removal is likely if the tree poses a danger to people or property.
Ecological Value: In some cases, leaving fallen trees provides habitat for insects and other wildlife, contributing to park biodiversity.
Public Access: Trees blocking paths would usually be cleared quickly.
Aesthetics: In highly manicured parks, fallen trees might be removed.

THE DEER HERD IN PHOENIX PARK

April 13, 2024 by infomatique

I KEPT WELL AWAY FROM THEM

SLIDESHOWS: CHAPELIZOD AND PHOENIX PARK

I did not wish to disturb the herd of deer so I used a telephoto lens to capture one image of the herd who were lying down and as you can see they do attract a lot of attention.

While I walked around the park I noticed a number of water troughs and many notices advising the public not to feed the deer and of course there were some who ignored the signs.

History

Royal Beginnings: The wild fallow deer in Phoenix Park have a long and fascinating history. They were introduced in the 1660s when James Butler, the Duke of Ormond, established the Park as a Royal Deer Park. The deer were imported from Britain for hunting purposes.

Enduring Legacy: Remarkably, the current herd in the park, numbering around 600 animals, are descendants of the original deer introduced centuries ago. They have become a beloved symbol of Phoenix Park.

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

March 30, 2024 by infomatique

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.