Address: Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Phone: 01-6612369
Area: Southeast
Category: Georgian and other squares
Enquiries: (01)222 5278

Facilities

• Band Performances
• Floral Schemes
• Historical
• Leisure Walks
• Playground
• River Pool Sea

The construction of the Georgian houses at Merrion Square began in 1762 and continued for 30 years.  The earliest plan of the park shows a double line of trees around the perimeter which was later enclosed by railings in the early years of the 19th century.  A 'Jardin Anglaise' approach was adopted for the layout of the park with contoured grass areas, informal tree clumps, sunken curved paths and perimeter planting.

Merrion Square soon became a fashionable address for the aristocracy and the professional classes.  The park was purchased from the Pembroke Estate by the Roman Catholic Church in 1930 for 100,000 as a site for a cathedral.  However, this project never materialised and in 1974 the then Archbishop, Dermot Ryan, transferred the 4.75 hectares (11.7 acres) to Dublin Corporation for use a public park.

Notable features of the park include many fine sculptures; the Rutland Memorial; a collection of old Dublin lamp posts; a central floral garden; heather garden and playground.  What was once the preserve of local privileged keyholders is now a public park to match the best in Europe and a successful adaptation of a typical Georgian Square to modern intensive public usage.

Other Information:  Statuary/Scripture