Plaque marks restoration of beloved Palmerston Park

THE Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Críona Ní Dhálaigh, was on the Southside recently where she unveiled a plaque to officially mark the completion of the restoration of the pond and water feature in Palmerston Park.

The Dublin 6 park is considered a fine example of a late Victorian municipal park that is surrounded by red brick Victorian villas that add to the architectural character of the park.

It was designed in 1891 by renowned landscape architect William Sheppard, and it still retains this layout today.

The park contains many mature deciduous and evergreen trees dating from the original 1891 planting. The pond, waterfall and rockery are impressive and a unique feature of this park.

Lord Mayor Ní Dhálaigh praised the work behind the newly restored pond.

 “I congratulate all involved in this project which brings renewed life and interest to Palmerston Park,” she said. “I am heartened to see that this wonderful historic city park is being conserved and enhanced, ensuring a beautiful vibrant setting, not only for the local  residents but for all visitors to this area.”

Dublin City Council Park Superintendent Leslie Moore, added: “The restoration of the water feature within Palmerston Park has been well received by the local community and visitors alike.

“This park is a fine example of Dublin City Council’s ongoing programme of enhancement and restoration of our historic parks.

“Many challenges lie ahead including maintaining a high level of service to the many visitors to our city parks but there are also many exciting new possibilities.”

Palmerston Park is located in Dartry and close to Rathmines village. The area once formed part of the demesne of Rathmines Castle, which dates from the sixteenth century.

The Battle of Rathmines was fought in the vicinity of the castle between Royalist and Commonwealth troops during the seventeenth century.

The castle was removed in the mid-nineteenth century when the area was laid out with fine red brick villas. These buildings exist today as fine examples of Victorian residential architecture.

The Palmerston Park restoration work was project managed by Michael Noonan, Dublin City Council Park Services.  The civil and engineering works were designed by Fergal McNamara, Howley Hayes Architects design team. The restoration work was implemented by Eugene Tools of Westside Civil Engineering. The planting of the rockery was designed and implemented by Parks Services, including Dublin City Council gardening staff Ross Styles and Patrick Considine.

The works included carrying out repairs to the waterfall structure, waterproofing the pond, restoration of the stonework around the pond, installing a water circulation pump and associated electrics, clearing overgrown vegetation and replanting the rockery.