Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan

History and Description
• The All Ireland Polo club was founded in 1873 which makes it the oldest Polo Club in Europe. Polo
matches are played on the dedicated nine acres adjacent to Chesterfield Avenue and the Zoological
grounds. Historically, Bicycle Polo has been played on these grounds.
• There are twenty five playing fields allocated to Gaelic Football, Soccer, Hurling and Camogie.
L. Garda Headquarters formerly known as the Constabulary Depot, was completed in 1842 (with
later additions) for police training. With the establishment of the Free State it became and remains the
headquarters of An Garda Siochána.
M. Wellington Testimonial: The foundation stone of this 205 ft. high obelisk was laid in 1817. It is set in a
wide lawn to the south of Chesterfield Avenue close to the main entrance to the Park. This prominent obelisk
is visible from many parts of the Park, although there are no internal vistas aligned to it. The monument
is carefully set back from Chesterfield Avenue to dominate a dramatic open space, with a steep drop to
Chapelizod Road creating an enhanced sense of drama. This position allows it to feature in views from the
city and the surrounding areas and is directly in line with North Circular Road which extends in a northeasterly
direction from the Park gate of that name.
N. The Phoenix Monument: This Corinthian column of Portland stone with Phoenix aloft was erected
in 1747, mid-way along Chesterfield Avenue between the Parkgate Street entrance and Castleknock Gate.
This monument forms an important focal point where the entrances from the three most important demesnes
converge. The feature is visible along much of Chesterfield Avenue and the immediate surrounding areas.
O. The Papal Cross: The Papal Cross erected in 1979 forms a prominent focal point for views from much
of the Park to the south of Chesterfield Avenue and in particular from the Fifteen Acres. This part of the Park
is a particularly open and flat landscape and the Papal Cross provides a sense of shape and scale and enhances
the identity of the Fifteen Acres. There are also excellent views of the high ground south of the River Liffey
to the Dublin Mountains.
P. Park Lodges: There are over 40 Park Lodges located inside the Park wall at the demesne gates and
elsewhere. Some of the lodges such as Knockmary Lodge, the Bailiff’s Residence, the Deer Keeper’s
Lodge, the Timekeeper’s Lodge and the Head Gardener’s Lodge in the People’s Gardens have been designed
to be on public view and to serve as features within the Park. Some lodges remain locally prominent, but
others are screened to give a degree of privacy.
Q. Phoenix Park School: Erected to the designs of Decimus Burton in 1847 to serve as a school for the
children of the employees of the Park at that time. It was built of local limestone from Coyle’s Quarry on the
southern perimeter of the Park.
R. Gough Junction: This recently re-established area on the brow of Chesterfield Avenue has been
constructed with a view to re-erecting the famous equestrian Gough monument there. First unveiled in 1880,
it was removed in 1957 after it was damaged.
Water Features
S. Lakes and Pools are present, though not extensive, and are locally important in defining the character of
their immediate landscape setting.
26
THE PHOENIX PARK CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN