HERCULANEAN HOUSE OR TEMPLE AT ST ANNE'S PUBLIC PARK 6 AUGUST 2023

THE RAIN WAS REALLY INTENSE WHEN I VISITED ON THE BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY

Every time I visit St Anne’s Park it rains and yesterday was no different except for the fact that I have never seen such intense rain … a path that I was walking along turned into a river within minutes.

When I first photographed this more than ten years ago it was in very poor condition having been the subject of vandalism for decades. In recent years, there have been efforts to restore the follies but this has been a slow and expensive process and some are still in poor condition, There is hope that they will eventually be restored to their former glory.

Follies are decorative structures that are built for aesthetic purposes rather than for practical use. They are often found in gardens and parks, and they can take many different forms. Some common types of follies include towers, bridges, grottoes, and temples.

St Anne’s Park is home to 12 follies, which were built by the Guinness family in the 19th century. The follies are located throughout the park, and they are inspired by a variety of architectural styles, including Roman, Greek, and maybe Chinese.

The follies at St Anne’s Park have been conserved by Dublin City Council in recent years. The conservation work has included repairing the structures, removing vegetation, and applying a protective coating to the stonework.

The temple was built in 1835 by Benjamin Lee Guinness, the second earl of Iveagh
It is inspired by the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD.
The temple is made of limestone, and it features a Doric portico with six columns.
The interior of the temple is small and circular, with a domed ceiling.
The temple was originally used as a tearoom for the Guinness family.
The temple is located on the banks of the Naniken River.