St. Annes Park

St. Anne’s Park is an estate of nearly 306 acres in the Clontarf/Raheny area, on the north side of Dublin. Brothers Arthur and Benjamin Lee Guinness (sons of Uncle Arthur, the man who gave us the black stuff!), built up and called the estate St. Anne’s after the Holy Well of the same name on the lands.

St Anne's Park, Clontarf. Who would believe this was the site of a great battle in 1014?

St Anne’s Park, Clontarf. Who would believe this was the site of a great battle in 1014?

In 1932 the estate was sold to Dublin Corporation and still remains in their hands.

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In December 1943, the main residence of St. Anne’s “The Mansion” was gutted by a fire and the ruins demolished in 1968. In the meantime, just over 200 acres of the estate were developed for public housing with the central most attractive portion comprising about 270 acres retained as parkland.

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The park is intensively used by the public through its 35 playing pitches, 18 hard-surfaced tennis courts, 4 Boules courts and a par-3 golf course. The park also has a remote-controlled model car track, and a dedicated ‘Dog Park’ beside the track, where dogs may be let off lead at all other times.

Each year, an annual Rose Festival is held in the Park on the 3rd weekend of July.

A modern addition.  I have no details of the sculptor or title of the piece.

A modern addition. I have no details of the sculptor or title of the piece.

In the Central Nurseries, located behind the Clocktower Gardens, over 600,000 seasonal bedding plants are produced annually for the city’s parks. The wooden planters to be seen on the Liffey Boardwalk and elsewhere throughout the city, along with the tiered floral planters, are also produced & maintained within the Nursery.

Photo is the property of Dublin City Council.

Photo is the property of Dublin City Council.

The Red Stables designed by George Coppinger Ashlin, have been refurbished and now provide an Arts Centre, Restaurant & a Saturday Farmers Market.

On our way to the Farmer's Market.

On our way to the Farmer’s Market.

The avenue leading to the market.

This cut down tree stump fascinated me.

This cut down tree stump fascinated me.

Another view of the cut down tree stump, remember the roots are still in the ground.

side view of the tree stump

side view of the tree stump

…. and from the front:

Front view shows a seat!

Front view shows a seat!

Finally a well seasoned stump seat:

well seasoned seat

Click on any thumbnail in the gallery below for greater detail.

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