HAIGH TERRACE AND MORAN PARK

12/10/2023

I worked in Dun Laoghaire for about fifteen years in total and my experience was that most of my co-workers from the town objected strongly to the planning and construction of this building while I thought that it was an excellent idea. 

The DLR Lexicon Building houses the main public library and cultural centre of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (DLR CC). It has attracted controversy, with opponents critical of its massive façade and its €36.6m cost at a time of austerity in Ireland, and supporters praising its interior, usability, and environmentally responsible construction.

The site chosen was Moran Park, a partially derelict public park with a popular bowling green, running perpendicular to the coastline down an escarpment. I was based there [Harbour House - I thought that it was known as Marconi House] for about two years back in the 1970s and in the later 1990 I was based in Haigh Terrace and by then Moran Park had become a no-go area at night because of anti-social activity relating to drugs. We were advised by management not to be in the immediate area after 7pm. Towards the end of my career I returned to Dun Laoghaire to work for Ericsson which was located at the Aldephi Centre [now Adelphi Plaza] which was very close to Moran Park

The site was chosen because it was already owned by DLR CC and would link The Metals (Queens Road) on the busy seafront to the north with George's Street.

NOTE: Guglielmo Marconi sent the results of the Kingstown [now Dun Laoghaire] regatta from a steam tug named The Flying Huntress beyond Dún Laoghaire harbour to his assistant and shore receiver in the Harbourmaster’s house [Moran Park House], which currently houses the Design Gallery between the Lexicon library and the Pavilion complex. This was the very first time wireless technology was used in journalism.

Moran Park is now situated in front of dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire. It was redesigned as part of the development of dlr LexIcon and now has two squares. The raised upper tier has expansive views across Dún Laoghaire Harbour and includes the dramatic 'Christ the King' sculpture; whilst the lower level includes a green area and planting next to the refurbished Moran House.

Moran Park House, which was acquired by the Council in 1954, was constructed for the Harbour Master in 1845 and was originally known as “Harbour House”. It was renamed Moran Park House in 1961. It is a building of national significance and is recorded as being the location of the first wireless transmission by Gugielmo Marconi on 20th July 1898. Moran park House now houses the Irish Design Gallery.