Editing Merrion Square

{{Short description|Garden park in Dublin}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Merrion Square
| photo = MerrionWM-1.jpg
| photo_width = 
| photo_caption = Clockwise from top: Merrion Square North as seen from Merrion Square Park; Rutland Fountain; 1 Merrion Square North, the childhood home of [[Oscar Wilde]]
| map = Ireland Central Dublin#Dublin
| map_label = Merrion Square
| map_width = 
| type = [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[garden square]]
| location = [[Dublin]], Ireland
| coords = {{coord|53|20|23|N|6|14|57|W|dim:300_scale:3000_region:IE-D_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=it}}
| coords_ref = 
| area = {{Convert|4.73|ha}}
| created = 1762
| owner = Privately (1762-1974)<br /> Dublin City Council (1974 onwards)
| operator = [[Dublin City Council]]
| visitation_num = 
| designer = John Smith and Jonathan Barker (1762 layout)
| founder = [[Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam]]
| status = Open all year
}}
'''Merrion Square''' ({{irish place name|Cearnóg Mhuirfean|no_translate=yes}}) is a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[garden square]] on the [[Southside Dublin|southside]] of [[Dublin]] city centre.

== History ==
[[File:Merrion Square map (1762).jpg|thumb|Merrion Square map (1762)]]
The square was laid out in 1762 to a plan by John Smyth and Jonathan Barker for the estate of [[Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam|Viscount FitzWilliam]]. Samuel Sproule later laid out the East side around 1780 and the gardens were created through a competition won by Benjamin Simpson in 1792 thanks to drawings created by [[John James Barralet]]. All of the surrounding houses were largely complete by the beginning of the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERRION SQUARE Dictionary of Irish Architects - |url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/36961/building/CO.+DUBLIN%2C+DUBLIN%2C+MERRION+SQUARE |website=www.dia.ie |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref>{{sfn|Bennett|2005|p=168}}<ref>{{cite web |title=BARKER, JONATHAN - Dictionary of Irish Architects |url=https://www.dia.ie/architects/view/1649/BARKER-JONATHAN |website=www.dia.ie |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaumont |first1=Daniel |title=Sproule, Samuel - Dictionary of Irish Biography |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/sproule-samuel-a8215 |website=www.dib.ie |access-date=26 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERRION SQUARE, GARDENS Dictionary of Irish Architects - |url=https://www.dia.ie/works/view/49148/CO.+DUBLIN%2C+DUBLIN%2C+MERRION+SQUARE%2C+GARDENS |website=www.dia.ie |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref>

Before the [[River Liffey]] was fully contained, floods on a high tide could reach as far as the square. In 1792, during one such event, the [[Duke of Leinster]] [[Augustus FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster|Augustus FitzGerald]] managed to sail a boat from [[Ringsend]] through a breach in the river wall as far as the north-east corner of Merrion Square (where it meets Holles Street).{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=9}}

During the [[Great Irish Famine]] of the 1840s, [[soup kitchen]]s were set up in Merrion Square Park to help feed the citizens.{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}

The demand for such Georgian [[Townhouse (Great Britain)|townhouse residences]] south of the [[River Liffey]] had been fuelled by the decision of the then [[Earl of Kildare]] (later the [[Duke of Leinster]]) to build his Dublin home on the then undeveloped [[Southside, Dublin|southside]]. He constructed the largest aristocratic residence in Dublin, [[Leinster House]], second only to [[Dublin Castle]].

Aristocrats, bishops and the wealthy sold their northside townhouses and migrated to the new southside developments.

== Legacy ==
[[File:Military Guard Ceremony, Merrion Square 31 August (9635286009).jpg|thumb|left|Soldiers guard the site of the National Memorial to members of the [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]] who died in the Service of the State]]
All the original 18th century properties in Merrion Square have survived to the present day except for Antrim House which was demolished to make way for the National Maternity Hospital in the 1930s.{{sfn|Bennett|2005|p=168}} Three sides are lined with Georgian redbrick [[townhouse]]s; the West side abuts the grounds of [[Leinster House]] (seat of the [[Oireachtas]]), [[Government Buildings]], the [[Natural History Museum (Ireland)|Natural History Museum]] and the [[National Gallery of Ireland|National Gallery]]. The central railed-off garden is now a public park.

The [[Wellington Monument, Dublin|Wellington Testimonial]] to commemorate the victories of [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]], was originally planned to be located in Merrion Square. However, it was built in the [[Phoenix Park]] after opposition from the square's residents.<ref name="well">{{cite journal | title=The Wellington Testimonial | author=Garnett, P. F. | journal=Dublin Historical Record |date=June–August 1952 | volume=13 | issue=2 | pages=48–61 | jstor=30105448 }}</ref>

==Occupancy==
[[File:Oscar Wilde statue, Merrion Square 1998.jpg|thumb|[[Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture|Oscar Wilde Statue]]]]

Until about the 1950s, the houses in the square were largely residential, but today most of them are used for office accommodation. The [[Irish Red Cross]], the [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]] and the [[Irish Georgian Society]] have their headquarters on the square. The [[National Maternity Hospital, Dublin|National Maternity Hospital]] is on the North terrace. 
 
The poet, novelist, and satirist [[Oscar Wilde]] lived at No. 1, poet [[W. B. Yeats]] lived at No. 82, and [[Daniel O'Connell]] at No. 58, the latter of which is now known as the O'Connell House, home to the Keough Naughton Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocallaghancollection.com/cities/things-to-do-in-dublin/merrion-square/|title=Merrion Square|date=9 April 2020|website=O'Callaghan Collection|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409111103/https://www.ocallaghancollection.com/cities/things-to-do-in-dublin/merrion-square/|archive-date=2020-04-09|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref> of the [[University of Notre Dame]], an American college.  The fashion and interior designer [[Sybil Connolly]] lived at No. 71.  A number of houses in the square have [[blue plaque|plaques with historical information]] on former notable residents, including A.E. ([[George William Russell]]) and [[Sheridan Le Fanu]]. Despite the square being largely occupied by commercial entities, there are still several residents, including fashion designer [[Louise Kennedy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/news/designer-louise-kennedy-id-just-love-to-style-strong-elegant-angelina-31006699.html|title=Designer Louise Kennedy: 'I'd just love to style strong, elegant Angelina' – Herald.ie|website=herald.ie|access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> and tycoon [[Dermot Desmond]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/ghost-town-south-dublin-s-georgian-core-in-need-of-new-life-1.1757738|title=Ghost town: south Dublin's Georgian core in need of new life|website=irishtimes.com|access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref>

Until 1972 the [[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Dublin|British Embassy]] was based at No 39.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=EniCAAAAIAAJ&q=%2239+merrion+square%22 ''Ireland''], Eugene Fodor, Robert C. Fisher, D. McKay., 1968, page 92</ref> However, following the [[Bloody Sunday (1972)|Bloody Sunday]] shootings in [[Northern Ireland]], a crowd of over 20,000 people converged on the site in protest and the building was [[Burning of the British Embassy in Dublin|burnt to the ground]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/2/newsid_2758000/2758163.stm | work=BBC News | title=1972: British embassy in Dublin destroyed | date=2 February 1972}}</ref> Currently, the Embassies of France, South Korea and Slovakia are based on the south side of the square<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-french-embassy-opens-in-merrion-square-georgian-townhouse-1.2187567 New French Embassy Opens in Merrion Square] – ''[[The Irish Times]]'', 24 April 2015</ref> and the Church of Scientology's National Affairs Office has been housed at No 4 on the north side since October 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scientology.ie/national-office/|title=Official Church of Scientology Ireland website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Courtney|first=Daire|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/church-of-scientology-to-open-national-affairs-office-in-merrion-square-35087161.html|title=Church of Scientology to open national affairs office in Merrion Square|date=28 Sep 2016|work=Irish Independent}}</ref>

==Park==
[[File:Merrion_Square,_Nov_2017.jpg|thumb|Merrion Square Park]]
The earliest plan of the park shows a double line of trees around the perimeter which was later enclosed by railings in the early years of the 19th century. A [[English landscape garden|Jardin Anglaise]] approach was adopted for the layout of the park with contoured grass areas, informal tree clumps, sunken curved paths and perimeter planting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-recreation-culture-dublin-city-parks-visit-park/merrion-square-park|title=Merrion Square Park – Dublin City Council|date=22 May 2018 }}</ref>

Up until 1974, the park was only open to residents in possession of a private key. Now managed by [[Dublin City Council]], the park contains a statue of [[Oscar Wilde]], who resided in No. 1, Merrion Square from 1855 to 1876,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/4042930|title=Sculpting Irishness: a discussion of Dublin's commemorative statues of Oscar Wilde and Phil Lynott |first=Smith |last=Sarah|journal=Sculpture Journal|volume=21|year=2012|access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dublincity.ie/DublinArtInParks/English |title=Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture |publisher=Dublin City Council |access-date=19 May 2017 |archive-date=16 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516145543/http://www.dublincity.ie/DublinArtInParks/English |url-status=dead }}</ref> many other sculptures and a collection of old Dublin [[Street light|lamp standard]]s. Irish-American sculptor [[Jerome Connor]], best known for his work "[[Nuns of the Battlefield]]" in [[Washington D.C.]], designed the public art piece, "Eire".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itma.ie/about/future-of-the-archive |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502160858/http://www.itma.ie/about/future-of-the-archive |archive-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The park also contains a sculpture of a Joker's Chair in memory of ''[[Father Ted]]'' star [[Dermot Morgan]].{{sfn|Bennett|2005|p=169}}

The park in the square was called "Archbishop Ryan Park", after [[Dermot Ryan]], the [[Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic)|Catholic archbishop]] who transferred ownership to the city. In 2009, Dermot Ryan was criticised in the [[Murphy Report]]; in January 2010, Dublin City Council sought public views on renaming the Park.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0112/1224262120662.html |title=Councillor denies call to rename Archbishop Ryan Park |last=McGarry |first=Patsy |date=12 January 2010 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=12 January 2010 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019141903/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0112/1224262120662.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2010, the City Council voted to rename the park as Merrion Square Park.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0915/1224278896831.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=City park to be renamed Merrion Square Park | date=9 September 2010 | access-date=31 October 2010 | archive-date=22 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022104524/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0915/1224278896831.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The park was also used by the St John Ambulance Brigade for annual events such as reviews and first aid competitions. The organisation was founded in 1903 by Sir [[John Lumsden]] KBE MD. During this time Dr Lumsden was living nearby at 4 Fitzwilliam Place. He was the chief medical officer at the Guinness Brewery and practised at Mercer's Hospital.

During the First World War, both St. John Ambulance and the British Red Cross Society worked together in a joint effort as part of the war effort. This ensured services did not overlap with each other. Both organisations were a familiar sight among Irish people, particularly at Merrion Square where St. John Ambulance operated for almost 50 years. The headquarters of St. John Ambulance was situated at 40 Merrion Square during WWI later moving to 14 Merrion Square. Today they are located at Lumsden House, 29 Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4 (see St John Ambulance archive for further info).

== Notable residents ==
[[File:Jester's Chair, Merrion Square.jpg|thumb|The Joker's Chair, built in memory of comedian [[Dermot Morgan]]]]
Merrion Square was a fashionable address for politicians, lawyers, doctors and writers. Notable residents have included;
<!-- New links in alphabetical order please -->
* [[Gilbert Austin|The Rev'd Gilbert Austin]] (1753–1837) – Educator, clergyman and author<ref>At 12 Merrion Square, North: ''The Treble Almanack ...'' (1832), p. 17.</ref>
* [[Jonah Barrington (judge)|Jonah Barrington]] (1756/57–1834) – Irish lawyer, judge and politician{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* The Very Reverend [[Henry Montague Browne]] (1799–1884) – dean of [[Lismore, County Waterford|Lismore]] ([[Church of Ireland]])
* [[Sybil Connolly]] (1921–1998) – fashion & interior designer
* [[Dominic Corrigan|Sir Dominic Corrigan]] (1802–1880) – physician
* [[Sir Philip Crampton, 1st Baronet|Sir Philip Crampton]] (1777–1858) – surgeon<ref>{{cite web|title=Dublin Hospital Gazette|date= 15 June 1858|page=192|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NG0BAAAAYAAJ&q=Sir+Philip+Crampton&pg=PA192}}</ref>
* [[Dermot Desmond]] (born 1950) – Irish financier
* [[Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam]] (1745–1816) – Irish peer and musical [[antiquarian]]
* [[William  Fletcher (politician)|William Fletcher]] (1750–1823) – judge and politician 
* [[John Leslie Foster]] (1781–1842) – barrister, judge and [[Member of parliament|MP]]
* [[Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne]] (1837–1913) – lawyer and [[Lord Chancellor of Ireland]] 
* [[Violet Gibson]] (1876–1956) – daughter of [[Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne]]; attempted assassin of [[Benito Mussolini]]
* [[Henry Grattan]] (1746–1820) – politician and [[Member of parliament|MP]]
* [[Robert James Graves]] (1796–1853) – surgeon
* [[Charles Hemphill, 1st Baron Hemphill]] (1822–1908) – politician and barrister
* [[Louise Kennedy]] (born 1960) – Irish fashion designer
* [[George Knox (MP, died 1827)|George Knox]] (1765–1827) – politician and [[Member of parliament|MP]]
* [[Valentine Lawless, 2nd Baron Cloncurry]] (1773–1853) – politician and landowner
* [[Sheridan Le Fanu]] (1814–1873) – writer{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[Robert Dyer Lyons]] (1826–1886) – physician and [[Member of parliament|MP]]
* [[Sir Henry Marsh]] (1790–1860) – surgeon
* [[Richard Bolton McCausland]] (1810–1900) – surgeon
* [[John Henry North]] (1788–1831) – barrister, judge and [[Member of parliament|MP]] 
* [[Daniel O'Connell]] (1775–1847) – politician and [[Member of parliament|MP]]{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[Andrew O'Connor (sculptor)|Andrew O'Connor]] (1874–1941) – sculptor{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[Edward Pennefather]] (1774–1847) – judge
* [[Richard Pennefather (judge)|Richard Pennefather]] (1773–1859) – judge
* [[David Richard Pigot]] (1796–1873) – judge
* [[Sir Andrew Porter, 1st Baronet|Sir Andrew Porter]] (1837–1919) – judge
* [[George William Russell]] (1867–1935) – poet and painter{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[Erwin Schrödinger]] (1887–1961) – Austrian-Irish theoretical physicist{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[John Stratford, 1st Earl of Aldborough]] (1698–1777) –  Irish peer and [[Member of parliament|MP]]
* [[Whitley Stokes (Celtic scholar)|Whitley Stokes]] (1830–1909) – lawyer and Celtic scholar
* [[William Stokes (physician)|William Stokes Snr]] (1804–1878) – physician
* [[William Stokes (surgeon)|William Stokes Jnr]] (1838–1900) – surgeon
* [[John Lighton Synge]] (1897–1995) – physicist 
* [[Oscar Wilde]] (1854–1900) – writer and poet
* [[Sir William Wilde]] (1815–1876) – writer and surgeon{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}
* [[W. B. Yeats]] (1865–1939) – poet, playwright and senator{{sfn|Dublin Tourism|page=8}}

==See also==

* [[Sir William Napier, 3rd Baronet]]
* [[List of streets and squares in Dublin]]

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|title=The Encyclopaedia of Dublin|first=Douglas|last=Bennett|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|year=2005|isbn=978-0-717-13684-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Dublin Tourism|first=Office  | url=https://www.irish-shop.de/dokumente/045_georgian,cultural,_old_dublin_heritagetrails_low.pdf | title=Heritage Trails. Signposted Walking Tours of Dublin |access-date=2025-02-18|publisher=Dublin Tourism  }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons-inline}}
* [http://archiseek.com/2010/1762-merrion-square-dublin/#.U7KH-EDkra4 Archiseek.com Doorways] Archiseek.com Doorways

{{Squares of Dublin City}}
{{Green Dublin}}

[[Category:Art gallery districts]]
[[Category:Squares in Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Streets in Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Georgian architecture in Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Parks in Dublin (city)]]