SANDYMOUNT GREEN, DUBLIN 4

CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT PLAN

April 2015

© Howley Hayes Architects 2015

This plan has been prepared for Dublin City Council’s Culture, Recreation and Amenity Department, by Howley Hayes Architects for the conservation and management of Sandymount Green, Dubllin 4. It examines the historical development of this fine municipal park, and describes its planting and features. An assessment of its cultural significance is included together with strategies for the conservation and improvement of the green. The plan is intended to provide guidance for the on-going maintenance and management of the green, to ensure that its significance is preserved and presented clearly to the public. Dermot Foley Landscape Architects carried out an assessment the current and historic planting, and made recommendations on how the character and appearance of the green could be enhanced. The measured, photographic and condition surveys of the structures were carried out between July and December 2014.

We would like to thank Leslie Moore City Parks Superintendent & Michael Noonan Senior Executive Parks Superintendent of Dublin City Council for their guidance and assistance in the preparation of the report.

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

• Sandymount Green is located in the heart of the coastal village suburb of the same name, approximately four kilometres south-east of Dublin city centre. From its beginnings as a small settlement occupied with fishing and brick making, Sandymount evolved into a popular resort for city dwellers and a fashionable residential suburb.

• Once part of the Fitzwilliam Estate and later the Pembroke Township; the green was taken over in the 1960’s by Dublin Corporation. A small roughly triangular space of less than an acre, it is approached by five winding roads.

• The houses on the south side of the green are sited on lands that were once part of the gardens of Sandymount Castle, while the east and west sides are mainly occupied by shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés. The green is accessed through three pedestrian gates positioned close to the centre of each side of the triangle.

• Of all the public parks in the city, there are none that more closely conform to the urban form of village green, as a commonage surrounded by a commercial centre. Most importantly, it offers a community space for children to play and enjoy the outdoors, for adults to sit and relax while also hosting many public events.

• The green may have originated as a commonage, but was enclosed in the early nineteenth century with iron railings; trees were planted and the central lawn laid out with paths linking the gates. Like other parks in the city, it was likely used by private subscribers, or for a fee, when entertainments were being offered to those spending a day close to the beach.

• The Corbet family lived at Sandymount Castle, an eighteenth-century house overlooking the green that was remodelled in the 1830’s in the Gothic Revival style. John Butler Yeats (1832-1922), the father of William Butler Yeats, was a frequent visitor to the house and its vast garden, along with his children. The Corbets are credited with planting horsechestnut trees around the perimeter of the green, possibly supplied from the nurseries in their garden.

• By the late nineteenth century the green had fallen into disuse. In 1900, Lord Pembroke offered it to the Pembroke Urban District Council as a free gift without restrictions, who subsequently opened it to the public. A cast iron fountain was installed at this time, along with benches and a water pump.

• During the twentieth century the path layout was altered, an ESB substation installed and a monument erected to WB Yeats. The cast iron fountain and original benches were removed, and some trees replaced with other species. A number of smaller plant beds that had been introduced were removed in recent years when they became too expensive to maintain.

• The horsechestnuts are far more dominant visually than was evident on the historic photographs where the weeping ash was the most impressive feature. The green retains its original wrought iron railings enclosing the entire perimeter along with the original pedestrian gates, however its linking pathways have been altered, leaving the central feature bed isolated in the lawn.

• As the green is relatively small, and conveniently located in the centre of the village, it is a real social hub much-loved by the local community. In the summer, it is used for sports days, community picnics and celebrations of literary figures such as Bloomsday. In winter, a Christmas tree is erected in the centre of the green, and there is the traditional Wren’s Day celebration on St. Stephen’s Day.

• Many of these events, along with other duties such as simple maintenance and opening up, are undertaken or organised on a voluntary basis by local residents. This demonstrates the pride that the local community take in the green, and their active interest in its preservation.

• The wrought-iron railings and mature stand of horsechestnuts are essential to the historic character of the green. The railings are well-preserved but in poor condition; their granite plinths having been displaced by encroaching tree roots leading to a wide range of defects. They have also been poorly repaired on numerous occasions, with vehicular damage also apparent.

• A programme of repairs to the railings was initiated in 2014, following fundraising on behalf of the local residents and matching funding from DCC, ensuring their preservation for the next generation.

• The ESB substation detracts from the character of the green, but its impact could be softened by adapting its exterior to screen its blank walls, and provide facilities such as a playlot or shelter.

• A strong landscape heritage case could be made for the reinstatement of the historic path layout. Aside from being in accordance with best lanscape conservation practice, the formal layout also increases the amount of lawn, and is more sociable in providing for passing encounters.

• The opening and closing of the gates into the green is a source of local disagreement, with differing concerns about issues of universal access and public safety. Alternative solutions including traffic calming and path widening could be considered, which should improve accessibility to the green for all and improve safety for children.

• With sensitive conservation, there is the potential to significantly improve the wonderful qualities of this historic place, as well as improve the facilities for the enjoyment of all. There is no doubt that Sandymount Green is a place of regional cultural significance, deserving of special protection as an Architectural Conservation Area that was adopted in 2013.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

2.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 2

3.0 BUILT & LANDSCAPE HERITAGE 10

4.0 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE 17

5.0 CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 20

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS 32

Sandymount Green is located in the heart of the coastal village suburb of the same name, approximately four kilometres south-east of Dublin city centre. From its beginnings as a small settlement occupied with fishing and brick making, Sandymount evolved into a popular resort for city dwellers and a fashionable residential suburb. Once part of the Fitzwilliam Estate and later the Pembroke Township; the green was taken over in the 1960’s by Dublin Corporation. A small roughly triangular space of less than an acre, it is approached by five winding roads, Sandymount Road to the north, Seafort Avenue to the north-east, Claremont Road to the north-west, Newgrove Avenue to the south-east and Gilford Road to the south-west. Situated

1.0 INTRODUCTION

along these routes is a vibrant residential area that has developed since the early-nineteenth century. The houses on the south side of the green are sited on lands that were once part of garden to Sandymount Castle, while the east and west sides are mainly occupied by shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés. The green is accessed through three pedestrian gates positioned close to the centre of each side of the triangle. Of all the public parks in the city, there are none that more closely conform to the urban form of village green, as a commonage surrounded by a commercial centre. Most importantly, it offers a community space for children to play and enjoy the outdoors, for adults to sit and relax while also hosting many public events.

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Fig.1 Aerial photograph of Sandymount Green (Dublin City Council)

Early DevelopmentThe land on which the suburb of Sandymount stands, lying between the River Dodder and the sea, belonged in the thirteenth century to Richard de St. Olof, who resided at Simmonscourt castle to the west. It subsequently passed through the Bagods, owners of Baggotrath, into the possession of the Priory of the Holy Trinity. By the fifteenth century this area, together with the land along the shore now at Strand Road and Sydney Parade, was described as the great pasture by the sea. By the time of the Down Survey of 1656-1658 it had become the property of the Fitzwilliams of Merrion. In his A history of the County Dublin vol. II of 1903, F.E. Ball notes that the tract along the sea from Ringsend to Sandymount was in the sixteenth century a rabbit warren called Scal’d Hill or Scallet Hill. In the seventeenth century the area was described as consisting of furze-covered sand dunes at the northern end of the coast while the southern end was a saltmarsh. The Irish place-name for Sandymount is Dumhach Thrá, which means sand dunes. By this time a herring fishery had been established along the coast from Ringsend to Blackrock. During the early part of the eighteenth century the clay behind the dunes was found to be suitable for the manufacture of bricks, and the shore from

Merrion to Sandymount was lined by what were known as Lord Merrion’s brickfields. These provided bricks for many of the fine buildings in Dublin’s Georgian streets and squares. Rocque’s map of 1757 shows a village called Brickfield Town on the site now occupied by Sandymount Green and not far from it, by the sea, there was a pretty thatched inn called the Conniving House, renowned for fish and ale. The green appears on the map as an irregularly-shaped space at the confluence of four roads in a sparsely-populated settlement of only ten houses. On the map of the

2.0 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

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Fig.2 Sandymount in the Down Survey of Ireland 1656-1658.

Fig.3 Extract from the Rocque’s Map of 1757, green in red.

Fig.4 Extract from Roe’s Map of 1774 of the Fitzwilliam Estate.

Fitzwilliam Estate prepared by Patrick Roe in 1774 the green is more triangular in form, and appears to be populated by dwellings. It is possible that the earlier houses had been removed to access more clay for the bricks of the impressive new developments by the Fitzwilliams around Merrion

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Fig.5 Extract from the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1843

Square that were being developed at that time. In 1791, Lord Fitzwilliam built an embankment along the seafront while the massive South Wall was being completed. These two infrastructural projects led to the reclamation of land that allowed the settlement to expand eastwards.

EnclosureTaylor’s map of 1816 is the first to give the settlement’s name as Sandymount and notes the presence of the Green. It does not show the form of the green in any detail, making it difficult to be certain that it was laid out in its present form or enclosed by that time. Through the first half of the nineteenth-century, the Fitzwilliams used their urban planning expertise to enclose the green and provide a small civic and commercial centre to serve the suburban expansion of their estate. The earliest depiction of the Green in its present form is on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1843, but it is not sufficiently detailed to show paths or precise tree locations. On a larger

Fig 6 Extract from the Taylor’s Map of 1816.

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scale map from 1865, the green is shown with a simple and formal scheme appropriate for a small park. A perimeter pathway surrounds the railed triangle with the three pedestrian gates in their current locations. Three paths radiate from the central bed, linking to each gate and intersecting with an inner perimeter path running along a screen of trees. The central bed is shown planted with a tree, and there are several other trees planted out on the lawns. This map suggests that the paths were laid out and the perimeter trees first planted at the same time as the railings and gates were installed, possibly decades earlier.

Historic DescriptionsAs early as 1837, Samuel Lewis referred to railings when describing Sandymount; the village is very pretty, and contains many good houses forming a square, in the centre of which is an ornamental grass-plot surrounded by iron railings. This, along with the map evidence, suggests that the present railings are most likely the original, and date from the early decades of the nineteenth century. Lewis also notes that it is a large and populous village of over 1100, very much resorted to in summer for sea-bathing. In The neighbourhood of Dublin of 1921, W. St. John Joyce notes that many old people remembered Sandymount as an isolated village standing around Sandymount Green, before it became an aristocratic watering-

place between 1810 and 1820. At this time fees charged for bathing were double those charged in Irishtown, suggesting a certain amount of exclusivity. Common to most other railed parks of the time, it was likely for the exclusive use of subscribers, or for others with the payment of a fee to attend entertainments. The opening of the Dublin to Kingstown Railway in 1835 provided additional impetus for the residential expansion of Sandymount, along with the introduction of horse-drawn trams that travelled along the seafront and also passed along the east side of the green. By the 1870s, the population of the village had grown to over 4,000.

Sandymount CastleThe Corbet family lived at Sandymount Castle, an eighteenth-century house that was remodelled in the 1830’s in the Gothic Revival style. Although it is abbreviated as Ho. on the first edition map, on Taylor’s map nearly thirty years earlier, the label Cas. was used. John Butler Yeats (1832-1922), the father of William Butler Yeats, was a cousin of the Corbets and a frequent visitor to the house. The poet himself and his siblings were often wheeled in their prams through the grounds of the castle, and no doubt the green itself. The1865 map shows that their garden was over ten times larger than the green, with

Fig.8 Ordnance Survey Map 1910 showing fountain added.

Fig.7 Ordnance Survey Map 1865 showing paths & trees.

that the Pembroke Township Commissioners open it up as a recreation ground. In 1900 Lord Pembroke offered the green at Sandymount to the Pembroke Urban District Council on a five-year lease, without charge. The District was initially wary of accepting as they did not wish to spend money on the green under such short terms, so by November that year the Earl had altered his terms offering the land as a free gift without restrictions, which was gratefully accepted. In the Irish Times of November 3rd 1900 it was described as a diminutive enclosure, capable of being made a welcome place of rest and resort for young and old, and of improving the condition of that part of the township in which it is at present more ornamental than useful. Finally opened to the public, the green is recorded on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey with the original path layout, but with the addition of a water fountain. This was erected on a circular granite plinth in April 1904 upon the recommendation of the Pembroke Urban District Council’s surveyor, as a terminating feature on a short path running northwards from the central bed. A similar, but less elaborate, fountain survives in Herbert Park.

Early PhotographsA photograph dating from 1910 from the Fergus O’Connor Collection in the National Library shows crisp gravel paths along with a central bed occupied by a mature weeping ash (Fraxinus

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a 500-foot long water feature, serpentine paths and numerous summer houses. The garden was densely planted with trees, and it is possible that they were also responsible for planting out and maintaining the green, as it provided the public setting for their house. After a visit in 1900, the younger Yeats declared he could scarcely recognize the grounds, which had largely been built over and converted into a boys’ school. It remains dominant today on the south side of the Green, but the house and its garden have been subdivided into separate properties.

Public OpeningBy1892 a member of the public, in a letter to the Irish Times, pointed out that the green had been for a long time practically useless and recommended

Fig.11 Sandymount Green in 1865-1914, Lawrence Collection.

Fig.9 The Corbet family in the garden at Sandymount Castle. (E. Malins & P. Bowe Irish gardens and Demesnes from 1830).

Fig.10 Sandymount Castle, 1910-20 (National Library of Ireland).

excelsior ‘Pendula’). The lawn is well-tended with no edgings, and the perimeter railings planted out with various shrubs and the cast iron fountain, long since removed. There is a pump shown in the same location as the present one, but it differs in appearance. Outside the green, elegant gas light standards can be seen, along with cables along the tramway and the tall post of the telegraph pole, the base of which survives and has been adapted as a light standard. A photograph held in the Lawrence Collection from the same period shows the exterior of the green, and it is interesting to note in both photographs that the trees appear to be fully mature, with more variation in species than found today.

Historic PlantingPlans and photographs suggest that, although the Corbet family may have planted trees on the green in the mid-nineteenth century, the current stock of Aesculus hippocastanum (horsechestnut)

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was laid out when the green was first opened to the public in the early twentieth century. Horsechestnuts are capable of being pruned, but there is no evidence that they have been pollarded or pleached. Planted at approximately eight metre centres, they were intended to form canopies providing shade when in leaf.

During the nineteenth century the range of native and exotic shrub species available in Ireland was impressive. The taste for mixed shrub planting at boundaries with gradation in height, where space permitted, was well established. Evergreen native and exotic species were mixed freely. The photograph above was taken probably in late November or early May (ash trees are known to come into leaf in late spring). While the image is blurred, making it difficult to attribute the species, it does show evergreen mixed perimeter planting. Some of the shrubs have been allowed to develop as small to medium sized trees.

Fig.12 Sandymount Green in 1908-10 (NLI) showing the gravel paths, a mature weeping ash and the cast-iron fountain.

Fig.13 Site plan of the green showing the path layout in the early twentieth century.

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The second tree from the left hand side of the photograph has the appearance of Ilex aquifolium (holly). The large tree to the right of the ash is an evergreen oak. Many of the small shrubs at the boundary have glossy leaves and are likely to belong to the genera Viburnum, Prunus, Ilex, Mahonia, Osmanthus, Skimmia or similar. Not all species, hybrids, varieties or cultivars that are common today were available in Ireland during the early twentieth century.

Park TodayIn the 1960s Dublin Corporation took the park into public ownership and today Dublin City Council, together with the local community, continues to maintain the green and promote it as a venue for many events throughout the year. The path layout has been reconfigured into four triangular lawns with three linking paths running between the three pedestrian gates without meeting at the central bed. A map of 1936 shows pathways have been introduced linking the gates directly as found today, while

the formal layout has been retained. Perhaps this followed established desire lines, and eventually led to the original paths being removed.

While the weeping ash was removed some time ago and replaced with a semi-mature tree, most of the horse chestnut trees have been maintained and are now at an advanced age. They have not always been replaced with the same species, with the introduction of walnut, maple, sycamore and lime. The central bed is now encircled by a low roll-top guarding and is used for seasonal bedding plant displays, the replacement tree having been removed recently. A number of other beds, located at the corners of the central triangle and close to the former site of the fountain, were removed in recent years as they had become too expensive to maintain. The green retains its original wrought iron railings enclosing the entire perimeter along with the pedestrian gates that are in poor condition. The original benches and the prominent cast iron fountain were probably removed at some time after the green was taken

Fig.14 Detail of 1910 photograph showing the gas lamps, cast-iron fountain and benches with perimeter shrubbery.

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social hub, much-loved by the local community. Different generations use the green to enjoy the outdoors in their own particular ways, adapting with the seasons. The prominent points of the triangle are used informally for the display of posters and signs to update locals of upcoming events. In the summer, it is used for sports days, community picnics and celebrations of literary figures such as Bloomsday. In winter, a Christmas tree is erected in the centre of the green, and there is the traditional Wran celebration on St. Stephen’s Day. Many of these events, along with other duties such as simple maintenance and opening up, are undertaken or organised on a voluntary basis by local residents. This demonstrates the pride that the local community take in the green, and their active interest in its preservation and improvement.

into public ownership. A small water pump, possibly salvaged from elsewhere, can be found off the northern pathway. An ESB substation was installed off the perimeter path in the south-west end of the green where the railings have been altered to accommodate a double gate to serve the station. This replaced an earlier, smaller substation on the opposite side of the path visible on the 1936 map.

A bronze bust of WB Yeats has been installed to the south east corner of the park. Some new items of park furniture have been installed along with a new public signboard erected by the resident’s committee, although older Dublin Corporation signs have been retained in places. As the green is relatively small, and conveniently located in the centre of the village, it is a real

Fig.15 Sandymount Green taken in during the summer in recent years. (www.newsfour.ie)

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3.0 BUILT & LANDSCAPE HERITAGE

Iron railingsDating from the early nineteenth-century, and assembled using a combination of forged wrought iron with cast iron decorative details, the railings that surround the park are a key feature of the green and an essential component of its historic character. The vertical and horizontal rails were hand-forged using wrought iron while the collars were cast and fitted to the top and bottom of the uprights and then corked using molten lead. The railing panels are fitted into a chamfered granite plinth and bear on decorative cast iron feet leaded into the stones. Backstays support the railings approximately every four meters. There are three pedestrian gates that allow access to the green and a set of double gates to serve the ESB station, fabricated from the alteration of two original railing sections with their plinth stones sunk. Railings and gates are presently painted black, but brighter colours were often preferred in the Victorian era.

The railings are relatively well-preserved but in poor condition; their granite plinths having been displaced by encroaching tree roots leading to a wide range of defects. They have also been repaired on numerous occasions with poorly-matched decorative castings, mild steel repairs and replacement back stays; vehicular damage is also apparent in places. Certain sections of railings are no longer fully upright and have become unstable where backstays have snapped or lap joints separated. The plinth stones require re-pointing and repair and replacement in restricted areas where they are badly cracked. Very many of the panels have been displaced so that they no longer align in either the horizontal or vertical planes. Many of the decorative cast iron collars have been lost to rust, and tops of the uprights broken off or bent. The pedestrian gates are in poor state of repair, hinges and spuds

Fig.16 View along railings to west side of green.

Fig.17 View of adapted double gates to substation, showing damage caused by chain.

Fig.19 Decorative cast iron collars to tops of railings.

1460

1185

275

3750

23

150

A: TYPICAL BAY ELEVATION (BETWEEN STAYS)

approx

B: TYPICAL BAY ELEVATION (BETWEEN STAYS)

Cast Iron top finial

Cast Iron top collarWrought iron top bar

Wrought Iron railing

Stay

Wrought iron bottom barCast Iron bottom collar

Granite plinth

Cast Iron feet

PEDESTRIANENTRANCEGATE No1

PEDESTRIANENTRANCEGATE No3

PEDESTRIANENTRANCEGATE No2

D: GATE NO.1 ELEVATION

230

C: TYPICAL BAY PLAN (BETWEEN STAYS)

E: GATE NO.2 ELEVATION F: GATE NO.3 ELEVATION

approx 1200 approx 1200 approx 1200

DATEREV. NOTESUSE FIGURED DIMENSIONS ONLY.DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS.READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPECIFICATION AND CONSULTANTS DRAWINGS.REPORT ANY DISCREPANCIES IN DRAWINGS TO ARCHITECT BEFORE PUTTING WORK IN HAND.CHECK ALL DIMENSIONS ON SITE.THIS DRAWING IS THE COPYRIGHT OF HOWLEY HAYES ARCHITECTS AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED , IN WHOLE OR PART, WITHOUT PRIOR AGREEMENT.

H O W L E Y H A Y E S A R C H I T E C T S5 Main Street, Blackrock, Co.Dublin. T:01 874 0744 F:01 874 0884info@howleyhayes.ie

1:20@A3REVISION:DATESCALE DRAWN:

PROJECT:

DRAWING TITLE:

JOB NO.:

DRAWING NO.:

Repair of the Historic Railings and Plinth in Sandymount Green

CHECKED BY:

CLIENT:

Dublin City Council

RM366PROJECT STAGE:

TENDER SM FMcN

Typical railing and pedestrian gates 05AUG2014

Fig.18 Detailed survey drawing of the railings preapared for recent repair works.

Fig.20 Detail of cast iron feet and collars to base of uprights.

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are all worn and several slam plates are missing or badly corroded. The gates are no longer squarely hung and their lock boxes are in need of repair ; and so are secured using chains. These are unsightly, causing further damage to the finishes and leading to rust. The original latches are also badly worn or missing, and the gates remain open during the day until locked at night by locals. This is a concern for parents, as there have been incidents where young children have run out of the gates onto the narrow footpaths towards traffic. The unsightly guard rail erected on the footpath outside the Gilford Road gate to stop children rushing out is not wholly effective.

Park Furniture, Metalwork and SignageNone of the original metalwork benches survive but historic photographs show that they resembled examples that can still be found at Herbert Park. The existing benches consist of three concrete brackets supporting green-painted timber boards, mounted on a concrete base. A small cast iron water pump, which no longer operates, sits on a cobbled base along the footpath on the north side of the Green. It has a short fluted column stem and moulded cap, and may have filled a trough. The more elaborate fountain visible in the early photographs, which looks very similar to the fountain in Herbert Fig. 21 Original latch and lock box to west gate.

Fig.22 Cast iron water pump, likely to be a replacement.

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Fig.23 1960s cast iron signage mounted on post.

Fig.24View of existing park benches.

Fig.25 Site plan of the Green showing the current path layout with park features surrounded by lawn.

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Park. In this position today is an access chamber with a cast iron cover. The flower bed at the centre of the green is enclosed by low modern roll-top railings that have been partially buried in the ground, making them susceptible to rust. Information signs from the 1960s have been preserved, which add to the historic character but there have been some complaints that they are set too low and pose a hazard. A prominent metal display case on a cobbled base has been installed at the Gilford Road entrance by the

resident’s association. There are a number of standard metal council bins located close to the gates and along the perimeter path, set on concrete bases with cobble edging.

PathsExternally, the paths have a mixture of in-situ concrete and tarmacadam surfaces. The kerbs include concrete and granite, and along the south east corner is tactile street paving for the visually impaired from the former bus stop to the care centre nearby. The interior paths are surfaced in tarmacadam, and lined with salvaged cobbles. These may have been taken up from the cobbled tramlines and pedestrian crossings that skirted the green, as shown on historic photographs. The build up of tarmacadam and soil over the decades have meant that in some areas the cobble edging has been buried.

W.B.Yeats MonumentSandymount is associated with a number of Ireland’s most prominent literary figures. Amongst these is the poet and Nobel Laureate W. B. Yeats who was born on Sandymount Avenue in 1865. Placed on a circular base of stone setts, a squared granite column supports a bronze bust of the poet. It was erected in the south-east corner of the park in the 1960s after Dublin Corporation took ownership of the green. The sculpture is

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Fig.28 View of west side of ESB substation.

Fig.27 Exisitng pathways with salvaged cobble edging.

Fig.26 Modern metal signage and display erected by SAMRA.

placed to address the castle given his association with the family. Albert G. Power (1881-1945) was the sculptor and it dates from 1921, when Yeats was in his fifties. Power was born in Dublin and attended the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. He was renowned for his realist, naturalistic style and depictions of Irish cultural and political figures of the era.

SubstationThis plain single-storey brick building, appears to date from the middle of the twentieth century. It is approximately 7m by 7.5m and has a set of large metal double doors and a single leaf metal door on the west elevation. The only other

opening are vents inserted into the brick-work which is laid in Flemish bond. It has a flat roof with a cast concrete fascia and overhanging eaves detail. At the rear corners of the station are two concrete pillars running from ground to eaves. The substation is surrounded on three sides by a square edging and on the side elevations climbing plants have been grown, probably to soften the appearance from the green. It replaced an earlier substation on the site.

Planting & LawnsThe grassy areas are patchy in places and need re-seeding, no doubt due to the intense use of the green, especially in the summer months. Some

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Fig.29 View of bronze bust of W.B.Yeats’ by Power.

topsoil fill installed recently was contaminated with old crockery and glass which has been remediated. Smaller flower beds located at the apex of the triangles have been removed. There are 31 broadleaf, deciduous trees located around the perimeter of the green. These include:

•20 Aesculus hippocastanum (horse-chestnut);•6 Juglans regia (walnut);•3 Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore);•1 Acer spp. (purple-leafed maple);•1 Tilia cordata (lime).

With the exception of four trees, all species are at a mature stage, allowing for an almost continuous, unbroken, dense canopy around the

perimeter which strongly defines the green. The crowns have been managed over the years in order to keep them open and free from dead wood or mechanical weakness. There is some evidence of past substantial crown reduction. The homogenous nature of the perimeter tree planting has been somewhat lost and the specimen weeping ash has been removed.

Shrubs and climbing plants planted at the ESB substation include the following:

Cotoneaster lacteus; Cot. salicifolius; Crataegus monogyna; Escallonia macrantha; Ligustrum vulgare; Prunus laurocerus; Viburnum tinus; Pyracantha

Fig.30 View of SW corner of green in Winter 2015.

Fig.31 View of SW corner green in Autumn 2014 (under leaf).

Fig.32 View of central planting bed isolated in lawn.

Fig.33 View of central planting bed isolated in lawn.

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GeneralThe Guidelines to the Burra Charter state that: Cultural Significance is a concept, which helps in estimating the value of places. The places that are likely to be of significance are those which help an understanding of the past or enrich the present, and which will be of value to future generations. There are a variety of categories generally used to evaluate the level of cultural significance and of those – Historic, Archaeological, Architectural, Ecological and Social interest categories will be used to assess the significance of Sandymount Green.

The following articles are contained within the ICOMOS Florence Charter (published 21 May 1981) and they address the conservation of historic garden and park landscapes:

Fig.34 Postcard view of the green circa. 1960s provided by B. Sigggins.

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4.0 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Art 1: An historic garden is an architectural and horticultural composition of interest to the public from the historical or artistic point of view. As such, it is to be considered a monument.

Art 2: The historic garden is an architectural composition whose constituents are primarily vegetal and therefore living, which means that they are perishable and renewable.

Art 4: The architectural composition of the historic garden includes:• Its plan and topography• Its vegetation, including its species, proportions, colour schemes, spacing and respective heights.• Its structural and decorative features.• Its water, running or still, reflecting the sky.

Art 5: As the expression of the direct affinity between civilisation and nature, and as a place of enjoyment suited to meditation or repose, the garden thus acquires the cosmic significance.

Art 10: In any work of maintenance, conservation, restoration or reconstruction of an historic garden, or any part of it, all its constituent features must be dealt with simultaneously. To isolate the various operations would damage the unity of the whole.

Art 11: Continuous maintenance of historic gardens is of paramount importance. Since the principal material is vegetal, the preservation of the garden in an unchanged condition requires both prompt replacements when required and a long-term programme of periodic renewal (clear felling and replanting with mature specimens).

Art: 19: By reason of its nature and purpose, an historic garden is a peaceful place conducive to human contacts, silence and awareness of nature. This conception of its everyday use must contrast its role on those rare occasions when it accommodates festivity.

Art 21: The work of maintenance and conservation, the timing of which is determined by season, and brief operations which serve to restore the garden’s authenticity, must always take precedence over the requirements of public use.

Art 25: Interest in historic garden should be stimulated by every kind of activity capable of emphasising their true value as part of the natural heritage.

Historic SignificanceThe development of Sandymount Green can be traced using cartographic evidence from the mid-eighteenth century. At that time, it served an important purpose in supplying bricks that were used to build the impressive residential terraces and squares of the Fitzwilliam Estate.

Sandymount Green is arguably the sole example of a village green to exist in Dublin city, making it an interesting example of late-Georgian urban planning in the expanding southern suburbs.

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The building of the South Wall and reclamation of the foreshore created new land suitable for development, with the added advantage of the enjoyment of sea views that were uninterrupted by the railway from the mid-nineteenth century.

Archaeological SignificanceAs the site of the Brickfields used in the construction of Merrion Square and its environs, the undeveloped space of the green could be considered to have some archaeological potential. Any future works involving excavations could possibly yield material of archaeological interest.

Architectural SignificanceThe design of Sandymount Green, while carried out over an extended period and of necessity modest in scale and ambition, made use of existing elements that were enhanced and defined into a small but well-appointed village green.

The green provides a setting for the many historic buildings that surround it and in close proximity, several of which are protected structures.

The original wrought iron railings set on their granite plinths have survived for almost two hundred years, and along with the mature stand of horse chestnuts, are essential to its historic character.

Social SignificanceSandymount Green has been a well-loved amenity to generations of local residents, who have contributed to its maintenance and preservation for many years. It is also used as a setting for many long-established social events throughout the year, giving rise to cherished traditions and personal memories.

A number of famous individuals have lived in the area and would have enjoyed the amenity of the green. These include the poets and Nobel laureates WB Yeats and Seamus Heaney.

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Natural and Ecological SignificanceSandymount Green provides a pleasant green area freely available to the public. While too small to host a particularly diverse ecosystem, its mature horsechestnuts and open lawns support a range of wildlife species, allowing different generations to enjoy nature in a secure and easily accessible location.

Statement of SignificanceSandymount in the south-eastern suburbs of Dublin was reclaimed from sand dunes at the mouth of the Liffey along the shallow tidal zone of Dublin Bay, common to most coastal areas of

Fig.35 View of christmas tree erected by DCC, local residents previously used to light up trees.

the city. Since the early nineteenth-century, it has become a much-loved public amenity that enhances the social fabric of this residential area. It is one of a group of municipal parks that were first enclosed with ironwork railings during the Georgian period, and that are essential to the urban design of the residential areas that they adorned. It remains largely intact its iron railings having survived, albeit damaged by the roots of the impressive mature horsechestnuts. There is no doubt that Sandymount Green is a place of regional cultural significance, deserving the special protection it was designated in 2013 when it was adopted as an Architectural Conservation Area.

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5.0 CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Approach & ObjectivesAll conservation works are guided by the principle of minimum intervention as set out in the Burra Charter. The conservation objectives for Sandymount Green can be summarised as follows:

• to provide for the effective maintenance of the green and associated features• to provide guidance on best conservation practice for the repair of the railings • to increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of the green• identify key messages and themes to be communicated to users• set up a permanent display outlining the historic development of the green• ensure that the green is accessible to all potential users, but not to the detriment of the built heritage or public safety and health • promote the green as a heritage asset and public amenity • provide for the long-term enhancement of the setting of the green through identification of key strategic aims

Village Design StatementSandymount was the subject of a pilot urban village design statement that was prepared for the Heritage Council and Dublin City Council in 2011. This related to the wider Sandymount area, bounded to the west by the railway, the east by the strand, the north by the Aviva stadium and Sean Moore Park with the southern tip being the Merrion Gates. Although the green is small in scale, the document acknowledges its importance as a focus of cultural and community activity for the wider village. The main objective of the document was to articulate a shared vision for the future of the area through hosting workshops

and consultation meetings with local residents. The preservation of the green emerged as the primary objective of the residents during the process. The preparation of the current report is one of the first steps in the implementation of this objective, by providing a formal plan for its conservation and management into the future.

Statutory ProtectionSandymount Green and its environs were designated as an Architectural Conservation Area by Dublin City Council in 2013. A number of the buildings that surround the green are protected structures in their own right, and are included in the Record of Protected Structures in the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2016.

InterpretationSandymount Green is an intact and rare example of an early nineteenth-century village green, and is a public space for residents and visitors to use and enjoy. In order to improve understanding of this special place for the enjoyment of all, earlier phases of its development should also be presented to describe its broader historic context. By increasing understanding and appreciation of the green, a virtuous circle can be maintained where the local community, already active stakeholders in its preservation, will help ensure that its historic character is preserved and enhanced.

Fig.36 SAMRA logo.

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OwnershipAccess to the green is from public streets that are overlooked by private residences and commercial properties. It has been open to the public for over one hundred years, having been enclosed for most of the nineteenth century. Prior to this, it may have existed as a commonage at the centre of Brickfield Town. Dublin City Council have been the owners of the green since the 1960s, and maintain it for the benefit of the local residents. Parks & Landscape Services oversee the management of the green, and the Roads & Traffic Department are responsible for the public roads and footpaths. The local community are very active stakeholders in the preservation and improvement of the green. The Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association (SAMRA) was formed over fifty years ago and have undertaken a number of initiatives within the green since this time. However, recent experience has shown that different groups do not always agree in relation to access, safety and improvements to facilities in the green. This leads to disputes and a lack of progress on issues of genuine concern and in the common good.

Public ConsultationOn the evening of 26 November 2014, a public consultation meeting was held in Scoil Mhuire to discuss the findings of the conservation plan. Over fifty local residents attended, along with local representatives and council staff. The

meeting was chaired by Frank Lambe of Dublin City Council. Howley Hayes Architects gave a presentation on the historical development of the green, set out its current condition and the issues surrounding access and safety. They also presented a conservation strategy along with possible options for improvements to safety and access. After the presentation, HHA and DCC answered questions from the audience and listened to the views of the attendees regarding

Fig.37 View of literary event with school children (SAMRA).

e. Diagram of historic & original layout

existing historic

Claremont Rd.Newgrove Ave.

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Sandymount Castle

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Fig.38 Diagrams showing the differing geometries between historic and existing path layouts.

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the green and how it could be improved. Further feedback was obtained from questionnaires circulated on the evening. The presentation was then uploaded onto the DCC website, and questionnaires received by post were collated and reviewed. The views set out on the evening and through the feedback forms are set out below under the different headings.

Condition & UseOver the years the local authority and voluntary groups have both contributed to the care and maintenance of this local amenity. The beautiful setting of the green has meant that its value has been appreciated by generations of residents who have enjoyed the open space, mature planting and peaceful amenity. Overall, the green is a well-preserved and intact example of a nineteenth-century park, however its railings and planting is benefitting from intervention to conserve them into the future. In order to ensure that the green remains well-managed, good communication between voluntary groups and DCC should continue to be fostered.

Access & Public SafetyIt is important that a reasonable balance is struck between the need for adequate safety measures as well as the need to conserve and present the natural and built heritage while maintaining access for all to this popular public amenity. At Sandymount Green, the gates are opened each morning, and shut and secured with chains and padlocks at dusk. This operation, managed with the local community, has become a considerable source of local controversy.

There are those who are concerned about the safety of children who run out of the green through the open gates and are at risk from oncoming traffic. They believe that the gates should be fitted with a closing mechanism so that the gates remain shut when not in use. Others have concerns that fitting closers to the gates would make them difficult to operate by wheelchair users or those with infirmities.

Fig.39 View of gate and guarding to Gilford Road.

Claremont Rd.Newgrove Ave.

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d. Possible permeability & safetyimprovements

Pedestrian crossing points

Existing pedestrian crossings

Dropped kerb

Self-closing mechanism and magnetic pad fitted to repaired entrance gates

Fig.40 Possible permeability and safety improvements.

The green is equally popular with residents of all ages, which gives it a particular rhythm of diurnal and seasonal activity. Any proposals to improve access or public safety will need to take all categories of user into consideration.

There are inherent risks to safety in any public location, but these can sometimes be magnified by a false sense of security. At present, there is no formal pedestrian crossing into the park, and a narrow footpath outside the railings. What heightens the risk in the case of Sandymount Green is its small size; any position in the green is never more than thirty metres away from at least two of the three gates. This gives guardians less time to prevent young children from rushing out onto the road through the open gates.

Presentation & InterpretationThe green would benefit from a permanent display of its historic significance on information

panels such as those erected at other parks at Harold’s Cross and St. Stephen’s Green. A good location for the panels would be the walls of the substation, helping to enliven its featureless walls and help reduce its negative impact on the enjoyment of the green.

VulnerabilitiesIn relation to the issues outlined above, the vulnerability of the natural and built heritage can be summarised a set out below:

Preservation• Interventions may be necessary to provide improved access, or to repair or stabilise a structure. This work needs to be informed by current best practice, be reversible and should not detract from the setting of the historic structure or place.• Generally the green is very well maintained, however, some areas would benefit from strategic management in conjunction with the ongoing repair and maintenance of the railings and pathways.• Defects when left unchecked can bring about rapid deterioration, resulting in considerable financial loss that can be avoided by a regime of routine maintenance.

Understanding• Although Sandymount Green is well-known and appreciated by generations of locals, the historical interest of the green, and its connections to famous individuals and similar places could be better presented to visitors.• The early development of the green and the surrounding village could also be better presented, so that it can be better understood within its wider historical context.

General Approach to Built StructuresThe general approach to the conservation of structures and places is to do – as little as possible and as much as is necessary to ensure

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Fig.41 Example of information panel at Harold’s Cross.

their continued viability and survival. Historic structures or landscapes should always be treated with respect, and should be retained and repaired wherever possible. There should be a general presumption against the loss of historic fabric, unless a compelling, beneficial and well-argued case is put forward. Repairs should be conservative in nature in order to avoid the appearance of over-restoration; and should be carried out to the highest conservation standards using materials of suitable or matching quality. Any interventions should be honest, simple and where possible, easily reversible.

Railing RepairThe railings that enclose the green, along with the horsechestnuts, are its defining features. The more mature trees are damaging the railings and are a potent threat to their preservation. The roots, while displacing the plinths and deflecting

the railings, also provide support to the same stones. These will sink back should the roots be removed, leaving the railings unsupported and vulnerable to collapse. The plinths should be repaired in tandem with the railings, as the stones cannot be replaced or properly grafted unless the railings are removed. A clear methodology for the adaptation of the gates to resolve issues of safety and access should ideally be agreed in advance of their repair.

A programme of repairs to the railings was initiated in 2014, following fundraising on behalf of the local residents and matching funding from DCC. SAMRA initiated the process by commissioning a condition report from Bushypark Ironworks, with DCC procuring the project overseen by Howley Hayes Architects. Only genuine re-puddled wrought iron has been used to replace missing sections or badly-matched repairs. Several hundred decorative cast iron collars have been replaced, and backstays repaired where railing panels were found to be unstable. The conservation repairs will ensure the preservation of the railings for the next generation, but maintenance of the railings will need to continue due to the proximity of the trees and their eventual replacement over time.

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Fig.42 & 43 Sample cast replacements and installed.

Water feature

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Newgrove Ave.

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Repaired railings and plinth wall all around the perimeter

bandstand/shelter

Water pump

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f. Possible LayoutOPTION 2

. new bandstand/shelter

. new benches

. new monuments/ features

Fig.44 Possible layout of shelter or bandstand.

SubstationIn contrast to the railings, the substation is a later addition that does not contribute to the historic character or enjoyment of the green. Substations are located in many of the parks around the city, as they were convenient and accessible locations in public ownership. At the time, they were evidence of technological progress, perhaps contributing to their widespread acceptance despite their visual impact on historic parks and amenities. There is no doubt however that the present structure is more noticeable than is usual due to the small size of the green. Ideally, the substation should be relocated so that the open space is clear of upstanding structures. However, there is little chance that it will be removed in the medium to long term. The substation is in a strategic position on the local grid, and its removal would involve significant cost and possible disruption.

Fig.45 Possible vew of substation adapted to provide a shelter and park facilities, while screening its blank walls.

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Residents attending the meeting differed on how best to reduce the impact of the substation on the historical character and amenity of the green. Some felt that it should be left as it is, others that it should be altered in some way so that it does not dominate the green. At present, its flat roof and red-brick walls mitigates its visual impact.

A pragmatic approach would be to simply adapt the building in some way so that it no longer provides an obstacle to the full enjoyment of the green. The substation has blank walls facing into the green which could be animated by creating a backdrop to a small playlot for younger children (as outlined below) and fitted with murals, climbing frames or trellises. Another option may be to extend a canopy along the walls to form a park shelter or bandstand, providing storage or a WC if this was thought to be desirable. Each

would be visually obtrusive. Some attendees suggested that green areas along Strand Road might be more suitable for this purpose, but DCC noted their concerns about the damage that the inevitable spring tides and flooding might cause to the expensive appliances. Also, the marine environment would make ferrous metal fixings and frameworks a maintenance challenge, reducing their longevity.

Playlots have been installed successfully in a number of historic parks around the city. These have less impact than conventional playgrounds, focussing on providing opportunities for play, in an outdoor, natural setting rather than relying on large appliances that may be obtrusive in a small park. Natural materials are chosen to complement the historic setting; traditional children’s games such as hopscotch or skipping are facilitated. Existing features such as trees or structures are used as props for play in simple ways such as ropes hung between trees to provide a swing. In a small park such as Sandymount, a small and discreetly sited playlot for very young children could be considered to the rear of the substation. This would be fitted with a low guarding or fence as is the normal practice for this category of playground. This would have the benefit of making the green safer, by reducing the risk of toddlers running out onto the street.

In order to reduce its visual impact on the green, it would make sense to locate it beside the substation. This area has a pleasant southerly aspect, and its containment would allow the rest of the green for more sedate activities, while also providing some screening for the substation. Reverting to the historic layout would mean that the playlot and substation could be contained neatly within their own sector. Retaining the existing layout, the south-western quadrant (approximately 450 sqm) should be fenced off and re-surfaced, allowing the remainder of the green to remain under lawn.

of these proposals could be combined with information panels describing the natural and architectural heritage of the green.

PlaylotDublin City Council has identified Sandymount as a priority area for children’s play facilities. At the consultation meeting, some residents were concerned that a playground would either take too much space in an already small park and

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Claremont Rd.

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Fig.46 Possible layout of playground with existing paths.

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enclosed playground

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f. Possible LayoutOPTION 1

. new playground

. new benches

. new monuments features

Fig.47 Possible layout of playlot with reinstated paths.

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FootpathsThere is no doubt that a compelling conservation case could be made for the reinstatement of the original nineteenth century path layout. This would enhance the formality of the green by connecting its features with paths, rather than have them surrounded by lawn. It would also improve the sociability of the green by increasing passing encounters, rather than users following separate trajectories to the repective gates. There was little support for reinstating the historic path layout at the public consultation meeting, the respondents feeling that the paths as they are found today work well and that funding for the improvement of the green would be better spent elsewhere. However, as set out in the ICOMOS Florence Charter, designed landscapes, parks

and gardens are a living monument worthy of protection. The integrity of Sandymount Green relies on its original railed enclosure, and its historic path layout, as well as the former planting schemes that evolved. Reinstating the paths and planting where possible will enhance the authenticity of this historic place. This does not preclude making alterations to cope with current requirments such as the use of a light-coloured bound gravel to match closely the hoggin paths shown on historic photographs.

AccessIt was clear at the consultation meeting that the issue of the opening and closing of gates is directly related to traffic safety. It is advisable therefore, that the first step would be to slow traffic down in the area surrounding the green. This could be achieved by changes the speed limits, in combination with footpath build-outs along with speed ramps in the form of raised platforms. We believe that these should be located opposite the entrance gates, in the centre of each side of the green. In this way, they will improve the visibility of the entry points for wayfinding purposes., but also for oncoming traffic. This will inevitably involve the loss of a number of parking spaces. Controlled crossings such as traffic lights, zebra or pelican crossings would add an element

Fig.50 Example of bound gravel paths in Russell Square, London.

Fig.48 & 49 Examples of simple play opportunities in playlot.

Another option would be to trial the installation of ground springs to the gates to allow them to remain closed when not in use. They would need to shut at a slow enough speed so that the risk of small hands being caught would be reduced. An alternative method would be to install an automated system that responds to a mounted push panel. However, these can be unsightly, slow to operate and prone to damage.

Park FurnitureThe historic character of the green could be enhanced when the park furniture is eventually replaced. The concrete benches should be substituted with cast iron replicas; historic photographs suggest that those that have survived at Herbert Park are a close match for the originals. The signage and bin locations could also be reviewed to see whether their locations are optimal, and whether less or more are required.

Tree ReplacementThe trees will not survive indefinitely, and their removal and replacement should be undertaken in a managed and strategic way. A programme of tree replacement could allow for the repair and re-setting of the plinth stones, however connections between the railing panels should

of visual clutter. Ideally, salvaged cobbles or setts should be used, as seen along the tramline on historic photographs. These coudl be sourced from existing DCC stock or from reputable dealers.

Further consultation was undertaken with the Roads & Traffic Department at DCC, as road safety measures proposed were beyond the scope of a report commissioned by Parks & Landscape Services prepared on the conservation of the green. They supported the approach of combining speed reductions with uncontrolled platforms and footpath build-outs.

Fig.53 Example of cast iron bench at Herbert Park.

Fig.51 Historic photo showing setts to tram lines.

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Fig.52 Samples of a range of salvaged setts ready for re-use.

Fig.54 Sketch view of paths reinstated with central feature.

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be kept flexible enough so that they can be adjusted. Consideration should be given to ways to prevent the new roots damaging the railings, with the advice of an arborist. Trees need to be replaced in ways that do not adversely affect the overall character of the green, while helping to extend the longevity of the built heritage.

There are two options for future tree planting and management. These are:

1. Retain horsechestnuts, remove other trees and replace with new horsechestnuts only2. Replace trees as they fail with mixed tree species, including horsechestnuts

The first option leads to monoculture which is no longer desirable due to risk of disease to the horsechestnuts leaving the green with no mature trees. The second option using mixed species is more resilient, and has been followed to date whenever new tree planting is required to fill gaps along the perimeter. New species should be large and deciduous, capable of achieving a height and spread to match the horsechestnuts so that the character of the green is maintained. Whatever choices are made in terms of future felling and tree planting, it will be necessary to monitor the veteran horsechestnuts for signs of bleeding canker (caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv aesculi).

Planting & Lawn Enhancement Screening the SubstationExtending the planted area at the substation could help to screen the building, ideally by avoiding a formal perimeter around the dull building. In addition a dense screen climbing and/or trained wall plants, planted immediately against the building, would help to mitigate its visual impact. Screening could be provided by evergreen shrubs which would typically have been used from the mid nineteenth century selected from genera such as Viburnum, Ilex, Hebe, Escallonia, Euonymus, Fatsia, Daphne, Rhododendron and others.

Central & Perimeter BedsThe central bed should remain the focus of the horticultural interest of the green. Along with the reinstatement of the path layout, the planting of a feature tree in the central bed, such as the weeping ash, should be considered. The bed could still be planted out with seasonal bedding

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plants, especially as it buds in late Spring. The junction of the paths around the tree would also be an ideal location for socialising. By installing curved benches, separated from the lawn by low hedges, this could become a pleasant place to meet in the centre of the green making the most of sunny afternoons.

The perimeter beds are to a large extent shaded by the tall trees, so are not suitable for planting out with many species of bedding plants or shrubs. Another approach would be to plant spring bulbs in the grass around the perimeter. These would be visible within and without the railings, providing seasonal colour prior to the trees regaining their leafy canopies in late Spring.

Lawn MaintenanceThe existing path network is well used, with no strong desire lines across the lawns evident where short cuts are routinely taken. However, the original layout had more a larger proportion of lawn relative to paths, making it easier to maintain and less prone to erosion. There are a number of areas where the lawn has deteriorated, at the edges of paths, in corners and around the substation. In some cases these can be addressed as part of the normal routine lawn maintenance; cutting and reseeding as required. At the sub-station, however, where a combination of constraints (shade, proximity to building, compaction) prevent the establishment and proper maintenance of lawn, it may be necessary to replace lawn with other surfaces or groundcover planting.

Fig.55 Sketch view of cental feature with benches.

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SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS

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• Sandymount Green is located in the heart of the coastal village suburb of the same name, approximately four kilometres south-east of Dublin city centre. From its beginnings as a small settlement occupied with fishing and brick making, Sandymount evolved into a popular resort for city dwellers and a fashionable residential suburb.

• Once part of the Fitzwilliam Estate and later the Pembroke Township; the green was taken over in the 1960’s by Dublin Corporation. A small roughly triangular space of less than an acre, it is approached by five winding roads.

• The houses on the south side of the green are sited on lands that were once part of the gardens of Sandymount Castle, while the east and west sides are mainly occupied by shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés. The green is accessed through three pedestrian gates positioned close to the centre of each side of the triangle.

• Of all the public parks in the city, there are none that more closely conform to the urban form of village green, as a commonage surrounded by a commercial centre. Most importantly, it offers a community space for children to play and enjoy the outdoors, for adults to sit and relax while also hosting many public events.

• The green may have originated as a commonage, but was enclosed in the early nineteenth century with iron railings; trees were planted and the central lawn laid out with paths linking the gates. Like other parks in the city, it was likely used by private subscribers, or for a fee, when entertainments were being offered to those spending a day close to the beach.

• The Corbet family lived at Sandymount Castle, an eighteenth-century house overlooking the green that was remodelled in the 1830’s in the Gothic Revival style. John Butler Yeats (1832-1922), the father of William Butler Yeats, was a frequent visitor to the house and its vast garden, along with his children. The Corbets are credited with planting horsechestnut trees around the perimeter of the green, possibly supplied from the nurseries in their garden.

• By the late nineteenth century the green had fallen into disuse. In 1900, Lord Pembroke offered it to the Pembroke Urban District Council as a free gift without restrictions, who subsequently opened it to the public. A cast iron fountain was installed at this time, along with benches and a water pump.

• During the twentieth century the path layout was altered, an ESB substation installed and a monument erected to WB Yeats. The cast iron fountain and original benches were removed, and some trees replaced with other species. A number of smaller plant beds that had been introduced were removed in recent years when they became too expensive to maintain.

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• The horsechestnuts are far more dominant visually than was evident on the historic photographs where the weeping ash was the most impressive feature. The green retains its original wrought iron railings enclosing the entire perimeter along with the original pedestrian gates, however its linking pathways have been altered, leaving the central feature bed isolated in the lawn.

• As the green is relatively small, and conveniently located in the centre of the village, it is a real social hub much-loved by the local community. In the summer, it is used for sports days, community picnics and celebrations of literary figures such as Bloomsday. In winter, a Christmas tree is erected in the centre of the green, and there is the traditional Wran celebration on St. Stephen’s Day.

• Many of these events, along with other duties such as simple maintenance and opening up, are undertaken or organised on a voluntary basis by local residents. This demonstrates the pride that the local community take in the green, and their active interest in its preservation.

• The wrought-iron railings and mature stand of horsechestnuts are essential to the historic character of the green. The railings are well-preserved but in poor condition; their granite plinths having been displaced by encroaching tree roots leading to a wide range of defects. They have also been poorly repaired on numerous occasions, with vehicular damage also apparent.

• A programme of repairs to the railings was initiated in 2014, following fundraising on behalf of the local residents and matching funding from DCC, ensuring their preservation for the next generation.

• The ESB substation detracts from the character of the green, but its impact could be softened by adapting its exterior to screen its blank walls, and provide facilities such as a playlot or shelter.

• A strong landscape heritage case could be made for the reinstatement of the historic path layout. Aside from being in accordance with best lanscape conservation practice, the formal layout also increases the amount of lawn, and is more sociable in providing for passing encounters.

• The opening and closing of the gates into the green is a source of local disagreement, with differing concerns about issues of universal access and public safety. Alternative solutions including traffic calming and path widening could be considered, which should improve accessibility to the green for all and improve safety for children.

• With sensitive conservation, there is the potential to significantly improve the wonderful qualities of this historic place, as well as improve the facilities for the enjoyment of all. There is no doubt that Sandymount Green is a place of regional cultural significance, deserving of special protection as an Architectural Conservation Area that was adopted in 2013.

Howley Hayes Architects are recognised for their work in both contemporary design and for the sensitive conservation of historic buildings, structures and places. The practice has been responsible for the conservation and reuse of numerous buildings of national and international cultural significance, several of which have received RIAI, Opus or Europa Nostra Awards. Under the Conservation Accreditation System, implemented by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Howley Hayes Architects is accredited as a Conservation Practice Grade 1 and its director and associate director James Howley and Fergal Mc Namara are Conservation Architects Grade 1. Over the years the practice has completed many projects for the restoration and conservation of numerous historic buildings and places including – Russborough, Lambay Larch Hill, Dromoland & Carton. Howley Hayes Architects have to date been responsible for over one hundred and twenty conservation plans, reports and strategic masterplans for clients such as the Heritage Council, the World Monument Fund, the Office of Public Works together with numerous local authorities and private clients.