Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan

History and Description
The distribution of uses within The Phoenix Park is clearly defined and some strong patterns can be
recognised. Much of the land is publicly accessible, but there are places and areas set aside for specific use.
The most important factor in the distribution of uses is the presence of the three main demesnes, with other
Park enclosures, as referred to above.
The second factor is the proximity of the Park to the historical urban core of Dublin to the east, which has
acted to draw the more intensive public uses towards the main eastern gate at Parkgate Street.
The third factor is the topography, which is predominantly flat, but with some dramatic variation, including
a sharp slope on the southern edge of the Park, and steep-sided valleys, which are incised into the plateau.
Some of these valleys now contain artificial lakes and the longest, at the eastern end of the Park, serves as an
ornamental public landscape.
Areas within the Park
The principal areas are shown on Maps 1 and 2 and are outlined below. Areas allocated to specific uses and
activities are shown on Map 3.
Each area is managed in order to sustain the character of the landscape and ensure it is appropriate for
the activities carried out there. The character and use are described in Appendix 5 which provides a short
description of each area including past and current use, the intensity of use, facilities available, the character
of the landscape and the status of the land. Management, for example mowing or grazing of grass, individual
or group planting of trees, painting of metal features, is carried out at appropriate intervals. The result of
these important activities is that areas, such as the ‘Fifteen Acres’, Áras an Uachtaráin, US Ambassador’s
residence, The Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, or the People’s Gardens, are recognisably different and can retain
the special historic character that has been derived from long established use.
Park Demesnes
These designed landscapes are laid out around a principal building and have strong physical boundaries in
the form of a ha-ha or a fence. Each has a location that has come about for historical reasons. Those along
Chesterfield Avenue have served as residences of government officials since the 18 th century and include:
A. Áras an Uachtaráin and Ratra House, (formerly the Viceregal Lodge and Private Secretary’s Lodge).
The official residence of the President is surrounded by a ha-ha (sunken) fence and tree planting now
encloses the house and gardens in an effective screen. A single southward view out to the Park is provided
in the form of a narrow controlled vista southwards across Chesterfield Avenue and the Fifteen Acres. The
backdrop is a wide view of the Dublin Hills. A view from Chesterfield Avenue of the front façade of the
house is also offered. The Guard Houses and gate ensemble located close to the Phoenix Monument are also
prominent features, but are only visible from Chesterfield Avenue.
B. US Ambassador’s Residence (formerly the Chief Secretary’s Residence). This is surrounded by a ‘haha’
and by dense belts of tree planting. A view southwards from the demesne and across the Fifteen Acres
to the Dublin Hills is provided by a wide opening in the enclosing mature plantations. There is also a view
of the residence from the Fifteen Acres. The main entrance close to the Phoenix Column, dating from the
1840s, is another prominent feature along Chesterfield Avenue.
C. Ashtown Demesne (formerly the Under-Secretary’s Residence and which now contains The Phoenix
Park Visitor Centre, and Ashtown Castle). This was formerly the residence of the Papal Nuncio and is
partially enclosed by a belt of evergreen oak, deciduous trees and a ha-ha. Views in and out of this area are
quite random and reflect landscape changes which now make designed views less obvious.
24
THE PHOENIX PARK CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN