FEBRUARY 2023
The Iveagh Gardens are among the finest and least known of Dublin’s parks and gardens. Designed in 1863 they include a rustic grotto, cascade, fountains, maze, rosarium, archery grounds, and woodlands.
WATER FEATURES AT IVEAGH GARDENS
FOUNTAINS
I REALLY LIKE THIS OBELISK FOUNTAIN
BOW LANE WEST – JAMES’S STREET
When I first photographed this obelisk the base was painted black and I must admit that I prefer the current colour.
This obelisk with 4 sundials with a drinking fountain at its base was built in 1790 by the Duke of Rutland, the Lord Lieutenant. The architect Francis Sandys was responsible for a number of public fountains in Dublin.
I was told by a local that it was an old custom that funeral processions passing the fountain would circle it three times before carrying on to the cemetery – I would take that with a pinch of salt.
Many, including myself, have complained online and elsewhere about the lack of working fountains in Dublin. In my travels around the city I have come across fountains and would describe them as many and varied. They range, in type and style, from elaborate Victorian masterpieces and modern sculptures to more modest, practical installations.
The bad news is that many of the older fountains have fallen into disuse and lie, long forgotten and derelict, in overlooked corners of the city. Unfortunately the majority are dry.
Bow Lane West runs from Bow Bridge to James’s Street along the southern side of St Patrick’s University Hospital. Bow Bridge crosses the River Camac. There is a small pedestrian lane that connect James’s Street on the south to Bow Lane West on the north. It was previously known as Murdering Lane or The Murd’ring Lane, and first appeared on maps in 1603, until it was renamed ‘Cromwell’s Quarters’ around 1892 when Alderman McSwiney called for the lane to be renamed in order to “preserve historical continuity”. The Cromwell in question was not Oliver Cromwell but his son Henry, who became Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1657. It is currently an unmarked pedestrian stepped alley. The lane is also locally referred to as “The Forty Steps”, even though there are only 39 – I must admit that I never actually counted them but if you do please let me know.
THE RICHARD RUSSELL MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
PEOPLE’S PARK LIMERICK
Limerick’s much loved Richard Russell Fountain is a favourite of mine even though it has a twin in Belfast, one is red and the other is yellow.
The fountain, the only one of its kind in the State, has been returned to the Peoples’ Park after spending 7 months being carefully restored by Eura Conservation in Telford.
Limerick City Council and Limerick Civic Trust decided to restore the fountain which dates from the 1870s after a careful inspection found that it was in a very poor state of repair and was, in fact, in danger of falling.
The fountain was dismantled without the use of many tools as the reinforcements and supporting materials were badly damaged. It was therefore only a matter of time before the fountain collapsed due to the weight of the dome. The conservation team returned to Telford within days of beginning the dismantling process and transported the historic Richard Russell fountain across the Irish Sea.
Simon Ward, Eura Restoration Project Manager described the condition as “quite unlike anything that I have seen before”. “This did make the project challenging to say the very least,” said Simon. “I would now rate the restoration as a fascinating and a personal favourite”.
The work that followed began with a blasting and cleaning process to ascertain if there were any further problems lurking under the paint work. What Eura did find was an impressive pallet of hues after carrying out a colour analysis test. To remain true to the original form the fountain was returned back to a glorious mixture of red and white. Before painting began however immense work was carried out to repair and replace the damaged or lost parts of the fountain.
To save on expenditure Eura used moulds that were already available as they had recently restored the Jaffe fountain in Belfast. The Jaffe is an exact replica of the Richard Russell fountain as both were cast in the Sun Foundry, Glasgow. It is now difficult to spot the new sections from the old because the pieces were cast in the traditional way by Eura’s blacksmith.
A substantial part of the work involved reinforcing and weatherproofing the fountain to ensure that it will be another 150 years if not longer before the fountain will need to be restored again.
ADVERTISING
No products found.
DONATED FOUNTAIN IN MEMORY OF JAMES A POWER
DONATED FOUNTAIN IN MEMORY OF JAMES A POWER INSIDE CASTLE STREET ENTRANCE TO DUBLIN CASTLE
This fountain is located immediately inside the Castle Street entrance to Dublin Castle and have never seen it mentioned in any tourist guide and I cannot determine why it was donated to the state. In fact I cannot find any details of James Power or Three Bridges House.
“This Fountain Was Donated By The Family Of James A. Power, Three Bridges House, Carrick-on-Suir, In His Memory, October 1988.”
WATER FEATURE AT WOLFE TONE QUAY
WATER FEATURE AT WOLFE TONE QUAY
I have frequently complained that the majority of fountains and water features in Dublin are inactive or dry. However, much to my surprise, this installation on Wolf Tone Quay actually has water. I have noticed a few visitor reviews in which they mentioned that they did not feel safe at this specific location especially at night and to be honest I have to agree because I have had issues in the past. Of course, I should mention that this was once a very active “red light” area.
Wolfe Tone Quay is one of several quays along the Liffey, part of maritime developments within the city stretching back to the thirteenth century. Formerly known as Albert Quay, but known as Wolfe Tone Quay since the early twentieth century, this section dates from the early nineteenth century and is the most westerly of the northern quays. The quay wall is of well-built ashlar granite and presents a strong visual statement. The quays are of significance in the context of the economic and maritime development of Dublin city as one of Ireland’s principal ports. They are representative of early nineteenth-century engineering technology.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver 3-Speed, Premium 5.0Ah Kit, Cordless (DCD991P2)
- The power drill has 3-speed and all-metal high performance transmission that optimizes tool-to-task for fast application speeds and improved run-time
- High power brushless motor of DEWALT 20V MAX drill delivers up to 57% more run time over brushed motor
- 3-Mode LED comes with the Dewalt drill to provide lighting in dark or confined spaces up to 20 times brighter than previous model
- LED Spotlight Mode features 20-minute shutoff function allowing for extended work time in dark or confined spaces
- Heavy-duty 1/2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide inserts for superior bit gripping strength
Last update on 2023-03-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You must be logged in to post a comment.