PARKS AND GARDENS

SMALL MEDIUM LARGE BY PATRICIA DONNELLY REF-225751-1

December 5, 2023 by infomatique

A MODERN THREE BEAR FAMILY

Patricia Donnelly is from Tallaght in Dublin and her work is frequently included in Sculpture In Context exhibitions but this has been my favourite to date.

SOURCE BY PETER SLYMAN REF-225749-1

December 5, 2023 by infomatique

MADE FROM WOOD AND GRASS

This was featured in the 2018 Sculpture In Context Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens. Back in 2018 I knew nothing about this artist other than the fact that I always look forward to seeing his work on display in the Botanic Gardens every September.

Anyway a few days ago I came across the following: “My name is Peter Slyman, I’m predominantly a sculptural based artist & original member of Kildare Art Collective. I graduated from NCAD in 2017 with an honour’s degree in fine art sculpture. I then went on to be awarded a residency in Clancy Quay Studio (Dublin) from 2018/20. From this base I began exhibiting works around the country including, Sculpture in Context 2018/19, Ballymaloe house, June Fest, Electric Picnic & the RHA annual exhibition.
I’m a maker & I enjoy nothing more than taking ideas from my head and making them a sculptural reality. For me the process of problem solving & fixing is the most important part of my practice when making a sculpture, its where I find my flow.”

I LIKE THIS OLD BANDSTAND

November 4, 2023 by infomatique

DESPITE THE COMPLAINTS AND THE NEVER IMPLEMENTED PLANS

Recently I came across the following online review many times: “This defunct bandstand is the stage in the park’s natural amphitheatre. In recent years it has unfortunately become a haven for drug addicts and alcoholics from nearby Crumlin and Mount Tallant.”

Towards the east of the park, not far from the duck pond, there is this bandstand. It’s fan-shaped in plan and opens out at the base of a slope, like a natural amphitheatre set into the landscape.

Back in 2019 the structure was transformed by street artists but it looked a bit worn and sad when I visited on the morning after Christmas [2021] and it was no better today [2 November 2023].

Dublin City Council Community, Culture, Recreation and Economic Services has commissioned Howley Hayes Architects to develop a design for a contemporary tearoom with careful consideration of placement, scale, materials and proportions and its relationship within Bushy Park, the proposed Dodder Cycle way and the wider Terenure/Rathfarnham/Rathgar areas. In addition, the development of a design for the currently redundant bandstand. The bandstand will be refurbished in a similar palate of materials to the tearooms to create a vibrant civic space for the park. Timber and steel elements are proposed to form the new roof and screens to the back stage area. The new accessible ramp and stage area will match the materials used in the external areas of the tearoom.

SAINT PATRICK’S PARK

November 4, 2023 by infomatique

PATRICK STREET AND BULL ALLEY STREET IN DUBLIN

Saint Patrick’s Park, located to the north of the cathedral, was opened by King Edward VII in July 1902. It is bounded by Patrick Street to the west, Bull Alley to the north and Bride Street to the east. It was laid out as part of the redevelopment of the area by the Guinness family in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and provides an attractive setting for both Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the Iveagh Play Centre. The landscaping was the work of Mr. Crasp of Chester and the construction work was undertaken by engineer Mr. Arthur Dudgeon. The geometric landscaping is enhanced by the two stone fountains on the park’s principal axis and a modern sculpture of a steel bell by Vivienne Roche. A brick terrace was constructed to cope with the fall in ground level between Bride Street Patrick Street, the upper level of which was used as a bandstand while the lower level provided a sheltered seating area.

THIS IS CURRENTLY DESCRIBED AS THE GOTHIC BRIDGE

November 2, 2023 by infomatique

MANY GUIDES REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE AND HERMITAGE

I had difficulty photographing this as there was an intense rain storm and parts of the park became flooded very quickly.

The Gothic Bridge in St Anne’s Park is also known as the Bridge & Hermitage. This is because it is located next to a small cave-like structure, which is thought to have been used as a hermitage in the past.

The early development of the Park coincided with the Guinness family’s sudden rise in profits following Sir Arthur’s exporting of his famous stout to England in 1825. The Park symbolised the power and wealth of this family in British and Irish society. The two bachelor sons of Sir Arthur, Arthur Jr. and Benjamin Lee, resided at the original house on this site, Thornhill, purchased in 1835, until 1837, when they demolished it and built St. Anne‟s for Benjamin Lee and his new wife, cousin Elizabeth .

The design and layout of the park was largely influenced by Benjamin Lee, an antiquary who was interested in the ancient monuments of both Ireland and classical Rome. His influence can be seen in the following Italiannate features:

 Pompeiian temple/teahouse and vistas to Dublin Bay
 Herculanean house and garden
 Yew Walk with nymphaeum and Italian statuary (now lost)
 Yew circle
 Sham ruin (Annie Lee bridge)
 Roman Tomb of the Julii monument

Oldstone Conservation were appointed as Main Contractor & PSCS to undertake conservation works to twelve of these follies. The works involved the repair and rebuild of the structures and reinstatement of the adjoining paths and embankments.

The “Bridge & Hermitage” spans the Nanekin River and houses a hermits cave. Works included rebuilding the parapet walls, repointing the stonework and applying a coat of harled lime render to the external stone face. Loose stone was laid on the river bed upstream and downstream to form breakwater during low water flows