Thursday, January 17, 2013

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin in Ireland.

Bushy Park is a natural oasis. The river Dodder flows peacefully through the park. It's flora attracts a lot of squirrels, foxes and birds. It has numerous football pitches for soccer, rugby union and gaelic football, a large tennis court, children's playground and a skatepark. It is the home ground for Bush Park Rangers FC.

In the centre of the park there is a large hill. Here there is a constant stream of kids freewheeling, running, waddling and falling down the path. Although you might remember it as being massive, the hill itself is quite small. There is also a bandstand and duck pond in the middle of the park.

South of the duckpond is "The Shell House", the ruins of a small building that had been covered in shells.

The park was originally part of the Shaw family estate who were related to George Bernard Shaw. In the 1950's they donated the land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.

Bushy Park House is also one of the main attractions to Bushy Park. The house was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, Co. Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house in 1700. The house, at this time, was known as 'Bushes House', on a site of 4 hectares. A John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after the park in London of that name.

Bushy Park House was then purchased by Abraham Wilkinson in 1791 who added almost 40 hectares to the estate. The house and estate were given as a dowry to his only child Maria, when she married Sir Robert Shaw (1774-1849), 1st Baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin (1815-1816) in 1796.

Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House. The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and 8 hectares of the grounds were then sold by Dublin City Council to the Congregation of Religious Christian Education in 1955. Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres of woodland in 1992.

Bushy Park House is a three storey over basement Georgian house with a plain façade. In the early part of the 19th century the front of the house and the northern wing were rebuilt, with large ground floor windows and external shutters added. On the south side of the house were large enclosed gardens, and on the north side almost one hundred acres of parkland, extending as far as Terenure village. A long avenue led to the Rathfarnham Road while the original short avenue led to what is now Fortfield Road.

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Deep Water: Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Deep Water: Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Deep Water: Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin in Ireland.

Bushy Park is a natural oasis. The river Dodder flows peacefully through the park. It's flora attracts a lot of squirrels, foxes and birds. It has numerous football pitches for soccer, rugby union and gaelic football, a large tennis court, children's playground and a skatepark. It is the home ground for Bush Park Rangers FC.

In the centre of the park there is a large hill. Here there is a constant stream of kids freewheeling, running, waddling and falling down the path. Although you might remember it as being massive, the hill itself is quite small. There is also a bandstand and duck pond in the middle of the park.

South of the duckpond is "The Shell House", the ruins of a small building that had been covered in shells.

The park was originally part of the Shaw family estate who were related to George Bernard Shaw. In the 1950's they donated the land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.

Bushy Park House is also one of the main attractions to Bushy Park. The house was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, Co. Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house in 1700. The house, at this time, was known as 'Bushes House', on a site of 4 hectares. A John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after the park in London of that name.

Bushy Park House was then purchased by Abraham Wilkinson in 1791 who added almost 40 hectares to the estate. The house and estate were given as a dowry to his only child Maria, when she married Sir Robert Shaw (1774-1849), 1st Baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin (1815-1816) in 1796.

Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House. The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and 8 hectares of the grounds were then sold by Dublin City Council to the Congregation of Religious Christian Education in 1955. Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres of woodland in 1992.

Bushy Park House is a three storey over basement Georgian house with a plain façade. In the early part of the 19th century the front of the house and the northern wing were rebuilt, with large ground floor windows and external shutters added. On the south side of the house were large enclosed gardens, and on the north side almost one hundred acres of parkland, extending as far as Terenure village. A long avenue led to the Rathfarnham Road while the original short avenue led to what is now Fortfield Road.

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin (Ireland)

Bushy Park is a large public park in Rathfarnham, Dublin in Ireland.

Bushy Park is a natural oasis. The river Dodder flows peacefully through the park. It's flora attracts a lot of squirrels, foxes and birds. It has numerous football pitches for soccer, rugby union and gaelic football, a large tennis court, children's playground and a skatepark. It is the home ground for Bush Park Rangers FC.

In the centre of the park there is a large hill. Here there is a constant stream of kids freewheeling, running, waddling and falling down the path. Although you might remember it as being massive, the hill itself is quite small. There is also a bandstand and duck pond in the middle of the park.

South of the duckpond is "The Shell House", the ruins of a small building that had been covered in shells.

The park was originally part of the Shaw family estate who were related to George Bernard Shaw. In the 1950's they donated the land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.

Bushy Park House is also one of the main attractions to Bushy Park. The house was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, Co. Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house in 1700. The house, at this time, was known as 'Bushes House', on a site of 4 hectares. A John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after the park in London of that name.

Bushy Park House was then purchased by Abraham Wilkinson in 1791 who added almost 40 hectares to the estate. The house and estate were given as a dowry to his only child Maria, when she married Sir Robert Shaw (1774-1849), 1st Baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin (1815-1816) in 1796.

Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House. The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and 8 hectares of the grounds were then sold by Dublin City Council to the Congregation of Religious Christian Education in 1955. Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres of woodland in 1992.

Bushy Park House is a three storey over basement Georgian house with a plain façade. In the early part of the 19th century the front of the house and the northern wing were rebuilt, with large ground floor windows and external shutters added. On the south side of the house were large enclosed gardens, and on the north side almost one hundred acres of parkland, extending as far as Terenure village. A long avenue led to the Rathfarnham Road while the original short avenue led to what is now Fortfield Road.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Harold's Cross Park (Dublin)

Harold's Cross is an urban village and inner suburb on the south side of Dublin, Ireland.
Harold's Cross is situated north of Terenure and Rathgar, west of Rathmines, east of Crumlin and Kimmage, and directly south from the Grand Canal at Clanbrassil Street. It lies within the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council, and straddles the boundary of Dublin 6, Dublin 6W and Dublin 12 postal districts.

One explanation of the origin of the name Harold's Cross is that it is derived from the name given to a gallows, which had been placed where the current Harold's Cross Park is situated. Harold's Cross was an execution ground for the city of Dublin during the 18th century and earlier. In the 14th century the gallows there was maintained by the Archbishop.

Harold's Cross stands on lands which formed, like those of Rathmines, part of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, and its name is said to have originated in a cross which marked the boundary of the lands of the Archbishop of Dublin, and warned the Harolds, the wild guardians of the border of the Pale near Whitechurch that they must not encroach.

The De Meones family, who gave their name to Rathmines, also owned lands at Harold's Cross in the fourteenth century.

Another explanation is that it is derived from a stone cross that marked the boundary of lands held by the Danish Viking Harold family of Rathfarnham in early medieval times, reputedly located at what is now the five-road Kenilworth junction on Harold's Cross Road.

Harold's Cross Park, a small well maintained city park, occupies the site of the original village green.

Harold's Cross Park (Dublin)

Harold's Cross is an urban village and inner suburb on the south side of Dublin, Ireland.
Harold's Cross is situated north of Terenure and Rathgar, west of Rathmines, east of Crumlin and Kimmage, and directly south from the Grand Canal at Clanbrassil Street. It lies within the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council, and straddles the boundary of Dublin 6, Dublin 6W and Dublin 12 postal districts.

One explanation of the origin of the name Harold's Cross is that it is derived from the name given to a gallows, which had been placed where the current Harold's Cross Park is situated. Harold's Cross was an execution ground for the city of Dublin during the 18th century and earlier. In the 14th century the gallows there was maintained by the Archbishop.

Harold's Cross stands on lands which formed, like those of Rathmines, part of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, and its name is said to have originated in a cross which marked the boundary of the lands of the Archbishop of Dublin, and warned the Harolds, the wild guardians of the border of the Pale near Whitechurch that they must not encroach.

The De Meones family, who gave their name to Rathmines, also owned lands at Harold's Cross in the fourteenth century.

Another explanation is that it is derived from a stone cross that marked the boundary of lands held by the Danish Viking Harold family of Rathfarnham in early medieval times, reputedly located at what is now the five-road Kenilworth junction on Harold's Cross Road.

Harold's Cross Park, a small well maintained city park, occupies the site of the original village green.

Harold's Cross Park (Dublin)

Harold's Cross is an urban village and inner suburb on the south side of Dublin, Ireland.
Harold's Cross is situated north of Terenure and Rathgar, west of Rathmines, east of Crumlin and Kimmage, and directly south from the Grand Canal at Clanbrassil Street. It lies within the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council, and straddles the boundary of Dublin 6, Dublin 6W and Dublin 12 postal districts.

One explanation of the origin of the name Harold's Cross is that it is derived from the name given to a gallows, which had been placed where the current Harold's Cross Park is situated. Harold's Cross was an execution ground for the city of Dublin during the 18th century and earlier. In the 14th century the gallows there was maintained by the Archbishop.

Harold's Cross stands on lands which formed, like those of Rathmines, part of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, and its name is said to have originated in a cross which marked the boundary of the lands of the Archbishop of Dublin, and warned the Harolds, the wild guardians of the border of the Pale near Whitechurch that they must not encroach.

The De Meones family, who gave their name to Rathmines, also owned lands at Harold's Cross in the fourteenth century.

Another explanation is that it is derived from a stone cross that marked the boundary of lands held by the Danish Viking Harold family of Rathfarnham in early medieval times, reputedly located at what is now the five-road Kenilworth junction on Harold's Cross Road.

Harold's Cross Park, a small well maintained city park, occupies the site of the original village green.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Biggest year ever with record breaking numbers visiting in 2012



Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce they have yet again broken their record for the number of visitors welcomed through the gates last year. The final footfall figure for 2012 surpassed last year's 1 million reaching an all-time high of 1,029,417.

This increase of 2.5% confirms Dublin Zoo's status as the most popular family visitor attraction in Ireland with over 95% domestic visitors*.  
Leo Oosterweghel, director of Dublin Zoo said, "We are absolutely thrilled to have welcomed even more visitors than last year. We would like to thank all our friends and supporters, old and new, who helped us achieve this new record. Reaching 1 million in 2011 was fantastic but to do it again and add to that number is phenomenal.
"Our success can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of the team at Dublin Zoo. The team continuously strives to enhance the animal habitats and at the same time ensuring that visitors have an unforgettable experience which is value for money.
"We are delighted to say that the  Zoo is more popular than ever. We are extremely proud to be in a position to say that after a decade of continuous development that Dublin Zoo is amongst the best Zoos in the world."
Mr. Oosterweghel continued, "The Zoo belongs to the Irish people who have a great pride in such a world-class facility and we share our success with the generations who continue to support us."
2012 was an extremely busy year and saw the opening of the Asian Forest, celebrated baby gorilla Kituba's first birthday and welcomed many new arrivals including a rare Eastern bongo calf, a tapir calf, two red panda cubs, two meerkat pups, two snowy owls and a sea lion pup, not to mention many new births at the Family Farm and a visit from international superstar Jennifer Lopez who enjoyed a day out at the Zoo with her family in October.
Among the new arrivals and for the first time ever Dublin Zoo introduced two young Asian lionesses and a bull elephant, Upali, to the collection of animals.
Upali, the bull elephant, joining the group of females was a momentous development for both the Zoo and the international breeding programme. It is expected the elephants will mate and double the size of the Dublin Zoo herd over the coming years.
In 2012 the extremely popular TV show 'The Zoo' aired for 10 weeks on RTÉ One and 'The Zoo Christmas Special' was watched by an average audience of 429,000 viewers. In addition, increased marketing, public relations and social media activity contributed hugely to the success of Dublin Zoo.
In 2013 and beyond, Dublin Zoo plans to continue to develop its offering, further enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring visitors continue to receive the best value for money.
Mr. Oosterweghel continued, "Over the past two decades Dublin Zoo has transformed into a world-class centre of learning about wildlife and conservation.  It is also an integral part of more and more European breeding programmes for endangered species."
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 4.30pm in January. For further information on Dublin Zoo visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, www.dublinzoo.ie.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park is a large, 20.5 hectares (51 acres), suburban public park in Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

There is a children's playground, an extensive wooded area, with walks to the banks of the Dodder (with access over a footbridge to the Rathfarnham area), a woodland pond, a duck pond, and a recently reopened kiosk.

In front of the duck pond is a high hill, and east of the pond is a starting point for the woodland walk, beside a small cascade.

The park is a good place for birdwatching - among the species which may be seen are sparrow hawk, treecreeper and kingfisher.

The park has football fields, a skateboarding area and 11 tennis courts.

Bushy Park House was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, County Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house, originally known as "Bushe's House" in 1700 on a site of four hectares. John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after Bushy Park in London.

The third owner was Abraham Wilkinson who in 1791 added almost 40 extra hectares to this estate when his only daughter Maria married Robert Shaw who was first baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1796 he gave the house and estate as a dowry to the couple. Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House.

The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and eight hectares of the grounds were then sold in 1955 by Dublin City Council to the Religious of Christian Education (an order of teaching Sisters founded in Normandy in 1817), where they established Our Lady's School for girls.

Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres (8,100 m2) of woodland in 1992.

In 2008 (when I last visited the area) there were plans to refurbish Bushy Park House however as I did not get a chance to visit the actual house I do not know if any work has been undertaken.

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park is a large, 20.5 hectares (51 acres), suburban public park in Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

There is a children's playground, an extensive wooded area, with walks to the banks of the Dodder (with access over a footbridge to the Rathfarnham area), a woodland pond, a duck pond, and a recently reopened kiosk.

In front of the duck pond is a high hill, and east of the pond is a starting point for the woodland walk, beside a small cascade.

The park is a good place for birdwatching - among the species which may be seen are sparrow hawk, treecreeper and kingfisher.

The park has football fields, a skateboarding area and 11 tennis courts.

Bushy Park House was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, County Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house, originally known as "Bushe's House" in 1700 on a site of four hectares. John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after Bushy Park in London.

The third owner was Abraham Wilkinson who in 1791 added almost 40 extra hectares to this estate when his only daughter Maria married Robert Shaw who was first baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1796 he gave the house and estate as a dowry to the couple. Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House.

The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and eight hectares of the grounds were then sold in 1955 by Dublin City Council to the Religious of Christian Education (an order of teaching Sisters founded in Normandy in 1817), where they established Our Lady's School for girls.

Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres (8,100 m2) of woodland in 1992.

In 2008 (when I last visited the area) there were plans to refurbish Bushy Park House however as I did not get a chance to visit the actual house I do not know if any work has been undertaken.

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013

Bushy Park is a large, 20.5 hectares (51 acres), suburban public park in Terenure, Dublin, Ireland.

There is a children's playground, an extensive wooded area, with walks to the banks of the Dodder (with access over a footbridge to the Rathfarnham area), a woodland pond, a duck pond, and a recently reopened kiosk.

In front of the duck pond is a high hill, and east of the pond is a starting point for the woodland walk, beside a small cascade.

The park is a good place for birdwatching - among the species which may be seen are sparrow hawk, treecreeper and kingfisher.

The park has football fields, a skateboarding area and 11 tennis courts.

Bushy Park House was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, County Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house, originally known as "Bushe's House" in 1700 on a site of four hectares. John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after Bushy Park in London.

The third owner was Abraham Wilkinson who in 1791 added almost 40 extra hectares to this estate when his only daughter Maria married Robert Shaw who was first baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1796 he gave the house and estate as a dowry to the couple. Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House.

The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and eight hectares of the grounds were then sold in 1955 by Dublin City Council to the Religious of Christian Education (an order of teaching Sisters founded in Normandy in 1817), where they established Our Lady's School for girls.

Dublin City Council re-acquired 2 acres (8,100 m2) of woodland in 1992.

In 2008 (when I last visited the area) there were plans to refurbish Bushy Park House however as I did not get a chance to visit the actual house I do not know if any work has been undertaken.

Bushy Park In Terenure (Dublin) - New Years Day 2013: Photography 85,000

My target was to have publish 80,000 photographs by the end of December 2012 and late in 2012 I revised to target upwards to 85,000 which I missed by 84.