The History of Blackrock Park
Rock Road, which forms the South
Western boundary of the park, is said to be one of the oldest roads in the
country, having been part of the ancient Slighe Chualann constructed by a
King's order several centuries before St. Patrick, to connect Tara with South
Dublin and East Wicklow. The road it appears facilitated the O'Tooles and the
O'Byrne's to pay their unwelcome visits to the neighbourhood of Dublin. 18th
Century maps show the "Strand of Merrion" extending as far as the
current position of Blackrock Railway Station, over the present area of
Blackrock Park. The "Observations on Mr. Archer's Statistical Survey of
the County of Dublin" published in 1801 reveal that Blackrock had problems
even then: -
"The
Black-Rock is capable and worthy of great improvement; the leading one seems to
be an encreafe of the supply of fresh water, with which, I understand, it is at
present but scantily furnished. From viewing the ground (without taking the
level) I imagine a fountain could be erected, where the pump formerly stood,
and where the open pump-hole still remains a soft dangerous and reproachful
nuisance; it could be very easily ascertained, and, if practicable, executed at
a small expense. The next improvement that prevents itself, would be paving the
streets, and preventing the inhabitants from throwing dirt on the road or
footpath." (Sic)
Following the construction of the Dublin to Kingstown railway, the first
to be built in the country, a swamp (probably similar to the bird marsh at Booterstown)
was created in the present location of Blackrock Park. In 1873 the Blackrock
Town Commissioners borrowed £3,000 to develop a park there. It is likely that
the park was ready for public use about a decade later. These events are well
chronicled by Wakeman in "Old Dublin" and are worth quoting at some
length: -
"On the 17th December, 1834, the Dublin and Kingstown Railway was first opened for public traffic. The effect of the establishment of this line seems at first to have been highly disastrous to Blackrock. The place was too near, and yet too far, from Dublin to benefit by the new facility of transport. Seekers for seaside residences passed it by, preferring Monkstown, Kingstown, and even Dalkey as their place of sojourn during the summer months. Besides, the railway in a great measure shut out the sea from the town. A dismal, foul smelling swamp was enclosed between the new embankment and whilom (sic) pleasant strand. The consequence was that Blackrock, as a resort for summer lodgers and persons requiring sea-bathing and fresh air, became comparatively deserted. At length the Towns Improvement Act was applied to the locality and truly marvellous has been the result. What was an odoriferous swamp has been converted into a very beautiful "People's Park," intersected by admirably kept walks, and studded with rockeries and parterres of judiciously selected flowers. Just enough water has been retained to form two picturesque lakelets, each of which contains an island tastefully planted with flowering shrubs. Upon a small, stony island is a pretty fountain, which throws its spray in graceful curves over the neighbouring water plants, ferns, and lichened rocks. Commodious seats are to be found in every direction. In the season, once a week at least, a military band attends, performing under the shade of a commodious and highly ornamented kiosk. This is only a small part of the improvement in the state of Blackrock which the commissioners have effected."
A formal Victorian park was thus
developed which became the responsibility of the newly formed Corporation of
Dun Laoghaire in 1930, and in turn of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in
1994.
However the present Park was not the first public horticultural space in
this location.
Originally the Vauxhall Gardens
occupied the area of the present main entrance to Blackrock Park opposite Mount
Merrion Avenue, between 1793 and 1804 when it was then sold. It appears that
the venture was not a commercial success.
The park and adjoining linear assembly
of open space form an area of about 14 hectares between Blackrock Town and
Williamstown. It is bounded on the seaward side by the railway and on the
landward side by Rock Road.
Its development was largely a
fortuitous by-product of railway construction not having been
"planned" as part of the town fabric in the same sense as the more
static Georgian squares of Merrion or Fitzwilliam.
It is however, by virtue of its linear
nature, more in keeping with modern ideas of how large city open spaces should
be. It is capable of providing an agreeable visual prospect for those
travelling either by road or railway while at the same time affording a
pleasant pedestrian refuge between Booterstown to Blackrock away from a busy
motor road. Since the introduction of the quieter DART train service this
effect has been enhanced.
A new cycleway has been added which
suits the park. This encourages increased public usage. Interesting topography
is also a further encouragement to pedestrian and cycle use as the complete
expanse of the park is not visible from any one point.
The elements that give the park its special character is: -
(a) Distinct internal spaces and
structures
(b) Topography
(c) Water (both pond and sea)
(d) Scots Pine Trees with their distinctive silhouette
The park acquired its well-positioned
sculpture of "Cut Out People" by Dan McCarthy in 1986. It forms an
interesting silhouette against the sea and skyline from several viewpoints.
The "Peace Fountain" in the
pond was constructed in 1986 to mark International Year for Peace. It was
formally switched on on 12th March 1987. The second smaller lakelet referred to
by Wakeman above no longer exists.
Blackrock Park has an unusual visitor
pattern in the summer time. A user survey in 1999 revealed a heavier public use
during weekdays than at weekends, with an average of 1,112 visits per day,
Monday to Friday, and 654 per day on Saturdays and Sundays.
With its unique design style, the Blackrock Clinic and adjacent modern
apartments along the Rock Road provide a sympathetic and pleasing backdrop to
the park.