Bushy Park dates back to 1700 when Arthur Bushe, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners, built the house known as "Bushes House" on a site of four hectares.
The property was obtained by John Hobson in 1772. He changed the name to Bushy Park. In 1791, the park was purchased by Abraham Wilkinson who added almost 40 hectares to the estate. He gave it as a dowry to his daughter Maria when she married Robert Shaw in 1796. The Shaws (distant relatives of George Bernard Shaw) remained connected with Bushy Park until 1951, when they sold the estate to Dublin Corporation.
In October 2003, Francis Street's well-established and reputable traders joined forces to form Dublin's first and foremost Antique Quarter, and to launch it they published a slick little guide to Francis Street listing its many antique shops, art galleries and restaurants.
