Griffeen Valley Park booklet - South Dublin County Council

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'Etected MemSers of South (DuBCin County CounciC
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Clondalkin
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Curran, John, ID., (FF), 2A Main Street, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Dowds, Robert, (LAB), 43 Castle Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
McGrath, Colm, (IND), Tower House', 48 Tower Road, Clondalkin, D. 22.
Ridge, Therese, (FG), 4 St. Patrick's Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Tyndall, Colm, (PD), 15 St. Brigid's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Tallaght South
457 9913(0)
457 9805 Fax
459 4583(H)
457 0186/7(0)
457 0093 (Fax)
457 3438(H)
457 3100(0)
Lucan
Doherty-Ryan, Deirdre, (FF), 32 Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, D.20.
Keating, Derek, (IND), PC. 66 Beech Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
McCarthy, Fintan, (GR), 16 Ballyowen Green, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Tuffy, Joanna, Senator (LAB), 111 Esker Lawns, Lucan Co. Dublin.
626 9636(H)
087 2063280
087-2857435
6281053(H)
610 0716 (Fax)
087 278 1876
628 0765(H)
Maloney, Eamonn, (LAB), 84 St. Maelruans Park, Tallaght, D.24.
0 Connor, Charlie, ID., (FF), Millennium House, Tallaght Village, D.24.
Tipping, Don, (LAB), C/o South Dublin County Council, County Hall,
Tallaght, Dublin 24.
086-1624847
459 0141(H)
Crowe, Sean, ID., (SF), 16 Raheen Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
452 4950(H)
Daly, Jim, (FF), 59 Coolamber Drive, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
458 9782(H)
4149308 (0)
Hannon, John, (FF), 11 Knocklyon Heights, Firhouse Rd„ Dublin 16.
450 5441(0)
494 2045(H)
Macken, Denis, (LAB), 1 Redwood Close, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24.
4628283 (H)
087-6182710
Terenure/Rathfamham
Ardagh, Maire, Mayor (FF), 168 Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12.
456 8736(0)
490 4182(H)
Keane Cait, (PD), 26 Rushbrook Court, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.
450 9878(H)
086-4070180
618 3567(0)
Lahart, John, (FF), 6 Orlagh Grange, Scholarstown Road, R'farnham, D.16.
493 9608(H)
462 6545(H)
452 5969(0)
4525298(H)
461 0715(0)
087-2982079
461 0721 (Fax)
Laing, Stanley, Deputy Mayor (FG) 86 Templeville Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W.
490 5571(H)
Meg Murphy, (IND), 6 Glenmore Court, Ballyboden, Dublin 16
4937218(0)
Ormonde, Ann, Senator (FF), c/o Seanad Eireann, Dublin 2.
618 3030(0)
260 1577(H)
Walsh, Eamonn, (LAB), 133 Limekiln Green, Walkinstown, Dublin 12.
414 9000(0)
Tallaght Central
Daly, Mark, (SF), 31 Cill Cais, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Hayes, Brian, Senator (FG), 48 Dunmore Park, Kingswood Heights, Dublin 24.
Billane, Mick, (FF), 6 Ellensborough Dale, Kiltipper, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
087-2593364
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Contents
Acknowledgements
(^Qjhhonn on
ghrifm
Esker House and Ownership of Land in Esker
Extension to Griffeen Valley Park
2-3
Introduction
4
Development of the Regional Park Concept
4
14-15
16
Environment & Ecology
17-18
Recreational Facilities
18-19
Levels of Public Usage
19
Other Notable Houses and People in the Lucan area
20
The River Griffeen - A Trail Perspective
5-6
Lucan House and Demesne
6-7
Griffeen Lodge or House
20
Lucan Village Park
7-8
Primrose Hill House
21
Park Statistics
21
Vesey Park
Esker
King John's Bridge
St. Finian's Church and Graveyard
8-10
10-12
12
13-14
Bibliography
22-24
Griffeen Valley Regional Park — Maps
25-28
Cover picture: King John's Bridge, Griffeen Valley Park
Acknowledgements
IFFEEN Valley Park in Lucan is one of the most important parks in the
'South Dublin County Council administrative area. Its existence is largely
due to the vision of the elected members and officials of Dublin County
Council who had the foresight to conserve the River Griffeen by assembling
parcels of land on both sides of its banks and developing them as parkland for
active and passive
recreational purposes. This work
has been
greatly
appreciated by the public who continuously express their support through their
use of the park. This booklet is part of a series of publications on the parks in
South Dublin. It is designed to inform and to enable a more fulfilling
experience for people who use the parks and to encourage others to visit and
avail of the facilities.
David Cotter and Jennifer Wann undertook the task of researching the history
of the Lucan area and the people who lived and worked there. Sara Sattar,
Assistant Parks Superintendent compiled the information on the environment
Family Day in Griffeen Valley Park
and ecology of the park.
Padraig Larkin, Senior Executive Technician and his
team in the Parks & Landscape Services Department prepared the drawings of
the park. Graphic design is by John McAleer. Mary Keenan, Senior Executive
Parks Superintendent is responsible for collating and editing the publication.
Individuals who assisted in providing information include Nick Balfe; Sean
Barry, The Turf Club/Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee; Andrew
Bonar-Law; Judith Carroll, Judith Carroll and Co. Ltd.; Tom Casserley; Bridget
Coady, George Mealy & Sons Ltd., Auctioneers; Martin Cotter; Colette Egan,
Moat Lodge B&B; Dr. Raymond Gillespie, Department of History, NUI Maynooth;
Micheal MacCarthaigh,
Environmental Protection Agency; Mary
McNally,
Rathcoole Historical Society; George Mealy, George Mealy & Sons
Ltd.,
Auctioneers; Ken Monaghan, James Joyce Centre; Mary Mulhall; Dr. Sean 0
Cearnaigh, The Placenames Office; Nicholas O'Connell; Gerry O'Flynn; James
O'Halloran, James Adams and Sons Ltd., Auctioneers; Peter Pearson; Albert
Saer; Geraldine Stout, Duchas - The Heritage Service; Mary Shackleton; Glascott
Symes and Joe Williams.
Information was obtained from the following organisations: Botanical and
Environmental Conservation Consultants; Irish Architectural Archive, Royal
Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, National Library of Ireland, the National
Museum of Ireland, Royal Irish Academy, the National Archives and Duchas The Heritage Service.
Council officials who also assisted include: Kieran Swords, Librarian, County
Library, South Dublin County Council; Sean Murray, Senior Engineer and
Gabrielle
McGee,
Senior
Executive
Engineer,
Environmental
Services
Department; the staffs of the Library Services and the Environmental Services
Department of South Dublin County Council.
Former County Manager Dan O'Sullivan with Michael Lynch, Senior Parks
Superintendent (now in Fingal County Council) played a key role in the
development of the park. Jim Connell, District Supervisor (retired) with
Brendan Cahill, Foreman, did the first work on the ground.
Michael Hannon,
Senior Executive Parks Superintendent has the main responsibility for the
development of the park since its inception and Leslie Moore, Senior Executive
Parks Superintendent did the design for the redevelopment of Lucan Village
Park. A major factor in the success of the park is the excellent and enthusiastic
workforce including crafts, Park Rangers, Tractor Operators and a number of
others who daily maintain the park and the surrounding Lucan area under the
direction of John Lyons, District Supervisor.
Lucan Village Park
Finally, appreciation is extended to the Heritage Council for their generous
support.
Councillor MSire Ardagh
Mayor, South Dublin County Council
Joe Horan
County Manager
Dr. Christy Boylan
Senior Parks Superintendent
July 2003
introduction
^ 7 R I F F E E N Valley Park, Lucan comprising over 79 hectares (200 acres) was
| J
developed during the early 1980s and officially opened on June 12th 1983
f
by Mr. Michael Gannon, M.C.C., Cathaoirleach, Dublin County Council.
Managed by South Dublin County Council it is so named because the River
Griffeen meanders through the entire length of the park on its way to the River
Liffey at Lucan village. The Irish name for Lucan is Leamhcan, but there seems
to be two translations of this name. Leamh or leamhan means elm tree. Can
without a fada means place. Thus one translation is the place of the elms.
Leamhach means the flower marsh mallow or lady's mantle (Alchemilla
vulgaris). Thus another translation of Lucan could be the 'land abounding in
marsh mallows'.
The Griffeen Valley Park is formed from a series of public open spaces each of
which has an identifiable character. The first and oldest section is the popular
little town park in the middle of Lucan village. The second section known as
Vesey Park can be entered at Adamstown/Newcastle Road; it winds its way
around the Vesey housing estate and ends at the Lucan By-Pass. The third
section is an open space on the southern side of the by-pass ending at Lynche's
Lane. The enclosed section of Griffeen Valley Park starts on the other side of
Lynche's Lane and extends along the rear of the Arthur Griffith housing estate
Lucan By-Pass
to Griffeen Avenue, a new road constructed across the river in recent years.
This road is part of a new housing development scheme from which an
additional 16 hectares (40 acres) of the park is being provided as far as the
Dublin/Cork railway line. Further south, is the Parks Department nursery and
works depot for the North Clondalkin area. Another section of Griffeen Valley
Park is located between Hayden's Lane and the Adamstown/Newcastle Road.
Known as Esker South, it is developed for intensive recreation.
Development of the Regional Park Concept
The 1963 Planning Act required local authorities to prepare a Development Plan
in which lands would be zoned for various purposes. This exercise by Dublin
County Council gave rise to the concept of providing a series of regional parks
dotted around the county.
In 1970 Michael Lynch was appointed Senior Parks Superintendent for Dublin
County Council, the first professionally qualified person to be appointed to
such a position. Mr. Lynch was responsible for the acquisition and development
of the necessary lands that led to the establishment of a number of major
public parks throughout the Dublin hinterland including Griffeen Valley
Regional Park which was conceived as a major amenity for the Lucan area.
In 1972, a Compulsory Purchase Order was sought by the former Dublin County
Council for the acquisition of 45 hectares (112 acres) of land at Esker South for
amenity and recreational purposes as well as for road and housing needs. Some
other lands in the area were transferred from Dublin Corporation to Dublin
County Council. Initial development works, including boundary treatment and
laying of footpaths, was carried out by the Parks Department.
These were
followed by new areas of tree and shrub planting over the next few years.
River Griffeen (Courtesy
of Jennifer
Wann)
A proposed layout for the Park was presented, adopted and approved by the
members of the West County District Committee on the 7th June 1983. The
layout included
15 playing pitches, athletic track, 2 pavilions,
tennis/
basketball courts, car parks and parks depot/caretakers residence as well as
pathway systems, boundary treatments, tree and shrub planting and riverside
walks. The estimated overall cost of the development at that time was
flmillion.
In 1994, with the re-organisation of Dublin County Council, the
newly formed South Dublin County Council inherited Griffeen Valley Regional
Park.
The River Griffeen - A Trail Perspective
The River Griffeen rises on Saggart Hill to the south of Rathcoole and Saggart
and is joined by streams coming from Athgoe Hill and Lyons Hill.
It has a
catchment area of 38.9 km2 (approximately 3890 ha). It flows in a northward
direction towards the Lucan area for approximately four kilometres until it
reaches the Griffeen Valley Park.
At this point upstream, where the River
Griffeen flows through the lands of Newcastle, Milltown and Grange, it was
historically known as the Racreena River.
Before reaching the Park it flows through Grange Castle International Business
Park, under the Grand Canal by way of a siphon system, and then under the
main Dublin to Cork railway line. It then passes by the new housing estates of
Hayden's Park and Grange Manor before entering the Griffeen Valley Park under
a bridge. On reaching Esker the River Griffeen was often known as the Esker
River.
James Joyce in his novel Finnegan's Wake, makes a passing reference to the
River Griffeen, 'dapping my griffeen, burning water in the spearlight'. James
Joyce may have been familiar with the Lucan area as his father, John Joyce,
lived and worked in nearby Chapelizod, which features in many of Joyce's
works.
In recent times the River Griffeen has been subject to several major floods,
some notable flooding occurred on the following dates:
22nd November 1898.
8th December 1954.
25th/26th August 1986 (Hurricane Charlie).
Weir at Lucan Village
l l t h / 1 2 t h June 1993.
6th/7th November 2000.
Lucan House and Demesne
Lucan House and demesne are on the last section of the River Griffeen as i t
enters the River Liffey on the western side of the Lucan Weir. The known history
of these lands and their occupation goes back to the time of the AngloNormans. Firstly they were granted to Alard Fitzwilliam by King Henry II and
then to Warns De Peche from Hampshire, England, sometime before 1204. He
and his descendants possessed the land for over a century. There is the ruin of
a tower house style castle in the grounds which appears to date from this time.
The castle adjoins a medieval church ruin, which was the Church of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
Over the next few centuries there were various occupiers, including the de
Nottinghams and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare until 1537. Towards the end of the
1500s the Sarsfield family came into possession of the lands. By this stage it is
recorded that there were two castles on the lands at Lucan, as well as two water
mills.
The Sarsfields had almost continuous possession of Lucan Castle, as it was
then, and the lands up to 1718 when James Sarsfield, the second Earl of Lucan,
died without an heir. The title died with him. His father was Patrick Sarsfield,
first Earl of Lucan. He was renowned for his miLitary involvements, fighting in
support of James II, and in particular saving Limerick from William of Orange
by blowing up his weaponry supplies. In 1693, he died after receiving a wound
at the Battle of Landen in Flanders, Belgium.
The Vesey family then came into possession of the Lucan Estate when
Agmondisham Vesey married Charlotte Sarsfield, his first wife and a niece of
Patrick Sarsfield. She bore him two daughters but died not long after their
marriage. He then married Jane Pottinger and had a number of children. In
1772 their son Agmondisham commenced the design and construction of Lucan
House which still stands today. The Castle was demolished to make way for it.
When Agmondisham died in 1785, Colonel George Vesey inherited the Demesne.
The Gazebo and Pergola in Lucan Village Park
His daughter married Sir Nicholas Conway Colthurst and they and their
descendants had possession of the Estate from 1836 to 1921. The estate had
several owners until the Italian Government bought Lucan House and some of
the Estate in 1954 as the Italian Ambassador's Residence.
Lucan Village Park
There is a small green oasis, covering an area of almost 0.2 hectares, known as
Lucan Village Park. Extensively used by the local community, it is managed by
South Dublin County Council under a long-term lease agreement, daring from
1945, with the Methodist Church in Ireland.
The sunken almost triangular
shaped park at lower Main Street, defined by roads on all sides, is enclosed by
a stone wall. Because of the differences between ground levels inside and
outside the park, the wall is higher on the inside providing a peaceful ambience
from the surrounding traffic and low on the outside enabling passers by to view
the oasis without being intrusive. The River Griffeen forms the western
boundary of the park.
A Palladian style bridge, constructed in 1773 by
Agmondisham Vesey, spans the river at the northern end of the park. The
inscription on the downstream parapet reads as follows: This bridge built / by
Agm Vesey for Ye / public in Ye yer 1773'.
Improvement works were undertaken on the park during 1998 and 1999 with
assistance from the Department of Environment's Urban & Village Renewal
Grant Scheme. An old concrete block toilet facility was removed and the small
green redeveloped. A gazebo and pergola were constructed with a combination
of brick, stone and timber in keeping with the distinctive old-style charm of the
adjoining Methodist Church and the surrounding architecture.
Attractive
timber seats were placed underneath the leafy cover of climbing Wisteria trailed
over the gazebo and the area beneath paved with stone slabs. The focal point
of the paved area is a ceramic tile mosaic depicting a floral motif similar to that
on the entrance gates of Lucan House. A new entrance was provided at the
south eastern corner of the park where people can gain access via attractive
circular steps.
Trees such as Sycamore, Weeping Willow and Birch, as well as shrubs including
V e s e y Bridge in Lucan Village, circa 1990s
(Courtesy of Mary Mulhall)
Greater Periwinkle and Dogwood have been planted for amenity purposes and
to provide a refuge from the bustling Lucan Village. The borders alongside the
stone walls are planted with a selection of herbaceous plants which provide
form, texture and colour throughout the growing season.
Vesey Park
Approximately 200 metres south of Lucan village
where the River Griffeen
crosses beneath the Adamstown/Newcastle Road, there is an entrance to a 3
hectare (8 acres) open space
known as Vesey Park. Bounded by a low stone
wall, this unique landscape wraps around the Vesey housing estate and
terminates at the Lucan By-Pass. The land was at one time owned by the
renowned Architect, James Gandon and then more recently by George
Shackleton and Sons Ltd., from whom Dublin County Council acquired it in
1991.
Downstream, the area is often locally called the Hollow or the Slang. Located
at the northern corner of this area is the ruin of an old water mill, the date of
which is unknown. The upper, dried up, part of the millrace still remains on the
hill side and the lower part of the mill race runs under the road. What this mill
looked like when it was in working order can be seen in a painting by William
The Mill ruins in Vesey Park
Ashford (1746-1824), a well-regarded Irish landscape painter.
This is one of
four mills in the lands of Griffeen Valley Park which were marked in John
lily
Taylor's map of 1816. The others were located in the vicinity of Esker.
i .
»• '
•atn
One of the first national schools in the Lucan area was located in the Hollow.
It is recorded as being independent until 1833 when it came under the control
of the National Board. In 1836 110 boys and 93 girls are recorded being
educated there under the auspices of Mr. James Lynch and Mrs. Anne Lynch.
One of their sons and a pupil of the school, John Joseph Lynch (1816-1888),
became the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, Canada. In 1864, 140
boys and 120 girls are recorded as attending this school with Elizabeth Knight
as headmistress. However at this time the school is recorded to have been in a
?
s ' I •
state of bad repair with a very poor supply of schoolbooks and teaching aids.
The school finally closed down in 1864 and the pupils moved to two new schools
in St. Mary's Church grounds. The girls' school became known as St. Anne's and
'/A Mill near Lucan' by William Ashford (From a catalogue
courtesy of George Mealy & Sons,
Auctioneers).
photograph
is still part of the Convent building. The boys' school was Lucan Boys National
School, in existence up until 1963. It then became the parish centre until 1994
when it was finally demolished to make way for new development.
On the higher ground on the northern boundary of Vesey Park is Moat Hill
House, which includes a ringfort, with clear and commanding views in all
directions. It is surrounded on three sides by steep natural slopes and on the
fourth side by an artificial bank or fosse. Ringforts generally date from the
period between the 7th to 10th centuries AD. The ringfort was incorporated
into a landscaped garden owned by James Gandon (1743-1823), when the
grounds were attached to his residence, Canonbrook House. Having acquired
the property in 1805, he landscaped the site including the planting of
numerous trees and finally moved in during 1808, remaining there until he died
in 1823. In 1781, Gandon was invited to Dublin at the behest of Lord Carlow
and John Beresford to supervise the construction of the new Custom House on
Dublin's quayside and later the Four Courts, also on the banks of the River
Liffey. Other well known buildings designed by James Gandon include the east
and west porticos to the Houses of Parliament, now the Bank of Ireland at
College Green, and the Law Society premises at Kings Inns, Henrietta Street.
A souterrain, known locally as 'the cave', first came to light in the 1740s and is
located in a mound in the middle of the ringfort. It is described as consisting
of a narrow entrance, a circular beehive chamber, a passage leading to a second
circular beehive chamber and then another passage leading to the end of the
souterrain. Souterrains were constructed in Ireland between the 8th and 12th
centuries AD. The ringfort and souterrain are on private property.
The upstream part of Vesey Park was known locally as the Furry Glen and was
once a favourite area for children to play. Pathways, seating, planting and
wildlife areas were developed in 1991, as was the stone bridge.
Vesey Park includes mature mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland which
has been retained since the formation of the park. Of particular ecological
importance is an inaccessible segment of wet woodland, with a closed tree
canopy, located south of the Griffeen River. This area is the habitat for a diverse
range of ferns and mosses; plants that do not produce flowers or seeds, but
Present day Esker House (Courtesy of Brendan Cahill)
reproduce using spores. They tend to be found in damp, shady places. Hart's
Tongue fern (Asptenium scolopendrim), Male fern (Dryopteris felix-mas) and
Soft Shield ferns (Polystichium setiferum) have been recorded in the wet
woodlands of the park. The mosses Brachythecium rivutare, Gymnostomum
aeruginosum and
Thamnobryum alopecurum can also be seen in these
woodlands.
Esker
Just south of the Lucan By-Pass there is an open space defined by the by-pass,
St. Finian's Housing estate to the south west, Esker Glebe to the north east
and Lynche's Lane to the south east. The character of this area has been
conserved because of the presence of an old, Georgian-style building on the
western
bank of the river surrounded by elegant mature trees from over a
century ago. The house is known today as Esker House and is in the private
ownership of the Saer family. In the Glebe Housing Estate area there was a
house used by Church of Ireland Clergy. The land was owned by the Leonard
family in 18th-19th century.
Across the other side of Lynche's Lane, the largest section of Griffeen Valley
Park is developed in an area known as Esker. It is bounded on the western side
by the Arthur Griffith housing estate and on the east by the more recent
development of Ashpark, Elm estate and the Griffeen Glen estate. The area is
known as Esker and is identifiable on the ground by the line of low hills,
consisting of deposits of sand and gravel, a glacial feature from the last Ice Age
approximately 10,000 years ago. These features are known as eskers, 'eiscir' in
Map extract of Esker Village from the 1837 Ordnance Survey of
Ireland Parish Map for Esker. (Courtesy of the National
Archives,
reference
number
OS 105 E 264).
Irish, hence the name Esker. The hills extend all the way to County Galway and
are known as the Eiscir Riada or Slighe Mor, one of the five great roads from
Tara to different parts of Ireland. It also served as a dividing line between the
northern and southern halves of Ireland. Esker Lane is said to follow part of
this route.
In Irish mythology the dividing line formed by the Eiscir Riada formed the
territory demarcation between the lands under control of Conn of the Hundred
Battles and Eoghan Mor. Conn ruled the area to the north of the line and
Eoghan ruled the southern half.
The district of Esker was one of the four ancient Royal Manors of County Dublin,
the others being Newcastle Lyons, Saggart orTassagard, and Crumlin, and the
revenues of these were sometimes given towards the defence of the Pale
"against the Irish Enemie". Esker and Crumlin had formed part of the Crown
demesne in the Vale of Liffey, which was added to Crown lands by King Henry
II. His successor John organised the lands into the four Royal Manors. At first,
the entire Manor of Esker was leased by the Crown to just one person. In 1248,
it was granted to Peter De Bermingham, and his descendants held it for the
next hundred years or so.
In the thirteenth century there was a manor house close to the Church of Esker.
In 1229 King Henry conveyed two acres of his lands at Esker, called Liscayllagh
or Liscaillah, located near the church, to William Fitz Guido, Dean of St.
Patrick's Cathedral, and his successors under the title of Canons of Esker.
Between 1248 and 1547, the lands were divided and leased to various tenants
directly from the Crown. This arrangement appears to have continued into the
eighteenth century.
King John's Bridge, circa early 1900s (Courtesy of the National
Library of Ireland)
In 1500, the Royal Manor of Esker is recorded as consisting of 1,800 acres. The
manor was managed by a seneschal or steward, who was someone well regarded
by the Crown; one notable example in 1594, in the time of Queen Elizabeth I,
being Sir William Sarsfield, knight.
Several religious orders acquired property in the parish, and so there were at
one time seven church bodies with lands there. Medieval Esker was a thriving
village, which saw its people working on the land, or in the glove, linen or
cotton factories, which stood along the Griffeen Valley. In 1800, the Act of
Union was passed and brought to an end the village of Esker. While Esker of old
is long dead and gone, this area is now one of the most rapidly developing
areas in the Greater Dublin area, and is once again thriving with several
schools, a new church, shopping centre and a constantly expanding residential
settlement.
King John's Bridge today
King John's Bridge
The remains of a ruined bridge span the River Griffeen parallel to the present
day Esker Bridge at Lynche's Lane. Proudly acclaimed to be the oldest bridge
in Ireland, it is perhaps the most important archaeological structure within the
park. This bridge, which is recorded on 18th century maps, was commissioned
by King John at some time during his reign between 1199-1216 and is known as
King John's Bridge. King John was renowned for building many bridges during
his reign and is often known as the 'Bridge-minded Monarch'. The bridge
probably fell into disuse between 1760 and 1816. Only one arch remains of the
original three arches of equal span. The stonework and construction is
described as being of high quality and probably involved the skills of a master
craftsman. There was a water mill situated a little upstream from King John's
Bridge and a second one was a little further upstream again.
St. Finian's Church and Graveyard
On the summit of one of the nearby hills overlooking Esker Lane and the
Griffeen Valley Park, just north of King John's Bridge, lie the ruins of the
medieval parish church of Esker, probably dating from the 12th century.
In
earlier times, it stood in a commanding position overlooking the former village
of Esker. In the early 1200s, King John gave the church to St. Patrick's Church
in Dublin, and when St. Patrick's became a cathedral, the dean had a right to
the church at Esker, which he dedicated to St. Finian. It is recorded that in 1830
there was a private school based beside the ruins of St. Finian's Church. It was
run by a Mr. Sturgeon and provided a classical education for boys only.
St. Finian's Church was a long plain rectangular building, built of roughly
coursed masonry. During the sixteenth century it was extensively rebuilt and
re-roofed in timber. In 1615 the church was recorded as being "in repair", but
the chancel was in ruins. Later that century, the church was recorded to be in
a ruinous state. Today, only the belfry end and some parts of the north and
The ruins of St. Finian's Church circa 1990s
(Courtesy
of Mary
south walls remain.
Mulhall)
In the wall of the ruin there is reputed to be a cavity shaped like a chalice. There
was a local tradition whereby people were cured of eye ailments by dipping
their fingers in the water from the chalice and using it to wash their eyes.
Another reputed cavity in a nearby stone is known as the 'Devil's Foot'. The
story goes that anyone who puts his or her hand or foot in the cavity will be
unable to remove it.
Within the ruins of the church are several graves, some with headstones dating
back to the early 1700s. Information is known about some of the people buried
there such as Fr. James MacCarten, R.C. Lucan, who was murdered in Lucan. On
the night of the 3rd of June 1807, Fr. MacCarten was returning home from
Palmerstown when at the Hill of Lucan, today known as Chapel Hill, he was set
upon by a gang of robbers who robbed and shot him dead unaware of the fact
that he was a priest. A stone monument set in the wall outside St. Andrew's
Church of Ireland School commemorates the event.
The United Christian Churches of Lucan gathered for a Millennium Jubilee
Pilgrimage, opposite St. Finian's Church and Graveyard, on Sunday 21st May,
2000. People made their pilgrimage from various churches in the Lucan and
Esker area. St. Patrick's pilgrims carried with them a wooden figure of Jesus on
a bog oak cross. This figure was recovered from the ground during the building
of St. Anne's School in Esker and is thought to have come from one of the Esker
churches of centuries ago. It can now be seen in St. Patrick's Church, Esker. A
cut granite stone commemorates the occasion and is surrounded by seven elm
trees symbolising the seven churches of Esker and the seven communities in
Lucan today. The following churches participated in the event: St. Mary's
Catholic Church,
Lucan; St. Andrew's
Church of Ireland,
Lucan;
Lucan
Presbyterian Church; Lucan Methodist Church; Lucan Quakers Society of
Friends; Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Balgaddy and St. Patrick's Catholic
Church, Esker.
Esker House and Ownership of Land in Esker
Millennium Jubilee Commemorative Stone 2002
(Courtesy
of Jennifer
Wann)
On the site of the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre there once was a dwelling
known as Esker House or Esker Villa. It was a two storey Georgian House with
five windows across the central part of the building and a bow at either side.
The bows were the same height as the centre, but their upper storey windows
were close to the cornice so as to make the ground floor rooms higher. There
was a small porch and the doorway had a round-headed arch. There was also a
glasshouse or conservatory at one end of the house. The grounds around the
house contained a gate entrance and lodge and a number of outbuildings,
including stables and a Dutch barn. There were mature wooded areas, a
waterfall sluice, a well, an elevated tank and a wind pump. It is said that there
were extensive gardens laid out from the house and extending right across the
River Griffeen.
In 1852, a Mrs. Devereux was recorded as living at Esker House and then in
1857, George Wynne is listed as the occupant. The Bellaney name appears to
have been associated with the area for over a hundred years. There seems to
have existed a house occupied by a Mr. David Bellaney, at the turn of the 19th
century, which stood on the site of a former cotton and linen factory. The
earliest reference to David Bellaney in Esker House is in the Thorn's Street
Directory for 1858. His brother Robert Bellaney was an Anglican minister who
converted to Roman Catholicism. He served as a priest right up to his death in
the Archdiocese of Westminster at the grand age of 96. He was highly regarded
in his day as a preacher, scholar and writer, contributing to many leading
reviews.
An indication of the family's interestin horse racing was that David's son Ernest
was a steward of The Turf Club between the years 1941-43. He was also involved
with the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee.
Esker House / Villa circa late 1970s
(Courtesy
of Irish Architectural
Archive)
The family tree of David and Mary Bellaney. With the exception of Constance,
all the above family members are buried together in Old Esker Cemetery, Lucan.
Esker House was put up for auction in 1972 following the death of Miss Janet
Ethel Bellaney on November 17th, 1971 at the age of 90. It was bought by
Contents Ltd. At that rime the house occupied lands totalling 84 acres, 3 roods
and 29 perches. The well-known English jockey, Lester Piggott, leased Esker
House for some time during the 1970s before it was acquired in 1974, by Dublin
Corporation from Contents Ltd, at a cost of £350,000. The House subsequently
fell into disrepair and was demolished some rime in the late 1970's and the site
is now occupied by the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre.
Extension to Griffeen Valley Park
Since the Council's first Development Plan in 1983, there was an objective to
extend the regional park to the Grand Canal and the land identified for that
purpose was zoned F, "To Preserve and Provide for Open Space and Recreational
Amenities." Some of the land required to achieve that objective was in private
ownership in the families of Haydens and Blakes.
In 1997, a consortium of
developers and land owners presented a proposal to the Council for a scheme
of housing, roads and an extension to the Griffeen Valley Park. The proposal
for a material contravention of the Development Plan to enable the provision
of 767 new houses and a 16.2 hectare (40 acres) extension to the park to the
railway line was granted by the Council on the 4th March 1998 and by An Bord
Pleanala on appeal on the 2nd July 1998. This section of the park is bounded
on the west by Grange Manor and the Old Forge housing estates and on the east
by Hayden's Park and Tullyhall.
The proposal included modifications to the Griffeen River, the construction of
The new bridge in the extension to Griffeen Valley Park
pathways, boundary walls etc. In November 2000, there was extensive rainfall
on the catchment area of the river and it burst its banks on the western side of
the railway line, crossed Hayden's Lane and entered the new housing estate
where it could not escape back to the river because of a low boundary wall. The
new park extension was also flooded as were other sections of the park.
At
Vesey Park, part of the low stone boundary wall collapsed with the force of the
flood and the river flowed down the Adamstown/Newcastle Road and into the
village. Consultants who undertook a study of that incident recommended that
the river channel be widened to facilitate fast movement of the water to the
Liffey. The modifications were implemented in 2001 and 2002 as were other
park improvements such as new bridges.
Further improvements such as tree
planting will be completed in 2003.
Lands between the railway line and the Grand Canal are in Council ownership
and are used as a plant nursery and a works depot. The long term plan is to
develop these Lands to complete the extension of the regional park and cater
for the growing neighbourhood of south Lucan.
Environment & Ecology
Griffeen Valley Park contains a variety of habitats, providing a haven for local
wildlife, in an increasingly urbanised area. A comprehensive inventory of the
fLora and fauna in the Park was undertaken from August to October 1999 and
Local children taking part in the Park Rangers 'Nature Tours'
again in April 2000. A total of 352 different species have been recorded in the
woodland, hedgerow, riverside and grassland habitats.
The woodlands impart a visual asset to the park's landscape, creating attractive
views and walks. Maturing woodlands planted with the development of the park
are now at Least 18 years old and comprise mixed plantations of Beech, Ash,
Chestnut, Oak, Maple, Sycamore, Birch and Alder. The woodlands provide a
habitat for a range of wildlife and possess the highest biological diversity of all
the habitats in Griffeen Valley Park.
Many bird species are found in the woodlands of Griffeen Valley Park, including
resident birds like Treecreepers, Great, Coal and Blue Tits. In the winter, Siskins
and other visiting birds feed in flocks in Birch and Alder trees.
In the more open woodlands north of the river, towards Lucan village, the
protected flowering plant Hairy St. John's Wort (Hypericum hirsutum) is found.
Hypericum hirsutum is listed in the Irish Red Data Book. Many of the plant
species recorded in the woodlands of Griffeen Park are riverside and damp
woodland species, reflecting the fact that much of the park's woodlands are
located near the River Griffeen.
A notable feature of the park's landscape is the network of original hedgerows,
which were retained and incorporated into the park from its
agricultural field pattern.
original
Hedgerows are essentially long, thin lines of
woodland that serve as reservoirs of wildlife. Just a few square metres of
hedgerow provide a home for an assortment of woodland birds, mammals,
insects and other wildlife. Hedgerows contain many shrub species normally
found on the woodland edge. These species supply birds and other animals with
protection, nesting sites and food. Wildflowers and grasses are also found in
hedgerows; they attract wildlife and add to the diversity and beauty of the area.
The River Griffeen adds greatly to the ecology of the park. It provides a habitat
and food source for a diversity of wildlife; 86 species of birds have been
recorded in the Griffeen Valley Park. Water environments are important
habitats for many of these birds; a number of birds are attracted to the
waterside to feed on fish and invertebrates, other species, such as Dippers, are
more dependent on the water environment and rarely leave it.
Areas of the Parkland are managed as rough grassland. These wildflower
meadows are cut once a year in late summer, allowing wildlife to complete its
annual cycle. Wildflowers provide a visual asset and attract insects, birds and
other wildlife. The light cover and plentiful vegetation of these meadows
provides the ideal habitat for many small mammals and invertebrates, this in
turn attracts predators, who visit grasslands to catch their prey.
Recreational Facilities
The park is well used by the local community especially on Family Days in July
each year when several thousand people visit and participate in the organised
events for all age groups. It is a valuable recreational resource for the local
communities and the surrounding hinterland. There are riverside walks as well
as extensive areas of mature and maturing woodland to explore.
Opportunities exist for a wide range of active and passive recreational activities
for all age groups including walking, jogging and participation in active sports.
The Lucan Sports & Leisure Club, managed by South Dublin County Council since
1990, was built in 1981 and operated by Lucan Community Council as a
Community Centre in 1981.
The centre caters for many activities including
football training, aerobics, badminton, tennis, basketball and gymnastics.
Adjacent to the centre is one of the most important facilities in the park for
children, the playground which in 1988, was built on the site of one of the old
water milLs. The facility was recently refurbished with the installation of
modern playground equipment.
There are a number of outdoor playing pitches accommodating local clubs for
both soccer and Gaelic games. They are located in the principal section of the
park behind Arthur Griffith Park housing estate and in the section west of
Hayden's lane adjacent to Lucan Community School. An all-weather, floodlit
athletics track which is home to Lucan Harriers Athletic Club was officially
opened in 1985 and an all-weather hockey pitch was completed in 1996 as a
joint venture between South Dublin County Council and Weston Hockey Club.
Work has recently commenced on the construction of a pavilion on this site to
include changing rooms for Lucan Sports Association.
This group comprises
representatives of Weston Hockey Club, Lucan Harriers and Hillcrest United F.C.
and since 1995 they have worked together with the objective of having one
building to cater for all their needs.
A novel attraction is the outdoor model car racing track with weekend activities
and displays organised by the Lucan branch of the Irish Model Racing Car Club.
The Lucan club has been represented on the Irish Model Racing Car team for
various International events and the National Championship heats and finals
have on occasion been hosted at Griffeen Valley Park. The cars raced are onetenth scale, electric off-road buggies.
Levels of Public Usage
In 1999 students of the Institute of Technology, Tallaght, carried out a visitor
survey of South Dublin Parks including Griffeen Valley Park. It revealed that the
vast majority of people had heard of the park, had no difficulty in getting there
Children's playground
and were satisfied with the car parking facilities. Approximately 90% were of
the view that the park was well maintained and would recommend it to others.
Almost one quarter of the visitors felt unsafe in the park and an equal
proportion felt that there were too many football pitches. The tennis courts
beside the leisure complex are well used, although half of those surveyed were
indifferent about them. The children's playground is one of the parks major
attractions, 81% were positively disposed towards it and 19% were indifferentthere were no negative responses. Regarding the trees and woodlands,
approximately 90% were supportive and 60% expressed an interest in seeing
more flowers.
Areas for wildlife can look untidy compared with other areas,
however, 75% expressed their satisfaction with them. The Griffeen River is an
important feature within the park, 85% of the visitors were pleased with it and
28% would like to fish there. There are limited seating and picnic facilities, but
the visitors were pleased with the level of provision (approximately 90%). A
survey of the people, who said that they do not use the park revealed that they
were not influenced by the facilities, level of maintenance or security, they
were supportive even though they had chosen not to pay a visit.
Other Notable Houses and People in the Lucan area
Another notable family the Kennedys were major landowners in the Esker
region over several generations. Sir Robert Kennedy owned lands at Esker and
Kishogue. He was the Chief Remembrancer of the Exchequer and a Member of
Parliament
for
Kildare
and
was
subsequently
made
a
Baronet
of
Newtownmountkennedy by Charles II. He died in 1668 and was succeeded by his
eldest surviving son, Sir Richard Kennedy, who was appointed Second Baron of
the Irish Exchequer. Sir Richard Kennedy appears to have had a residence
somewhere in Esker parish. His grandson died in 1710 and that was the last of
that line of Kennedy's. Robert's brother, Alderman Walter Kennedy, owned
nearby Finnstown. He died in 1672 and was succeeded by his eldest son
Christopher Kennedy.
The Sheedy family owned land to the east and northeast of the River Griffeen
Griffeen Lodge, Lucan Village (Courtesy of Mary Mulhall)
at Esker, some of which now forms the Esker Meadow and Castle Riada housing
estates. They ran a dairy farm, Balgaddy Dairies, providing milk to the
surrounding localities of Lucan. John Sheedy was an active member of the
National Plough Association of Ireland and was its president in 1957. Some of
the earliest ploughing competitions were held in the Lucan and Clondalkin
areas. The J.J. Sheedy Memorial Cup is presented each year, in memory of John
Sheedy, for the best individual in the intermediate tractor class at the National
Ploughing Championships.
Griffeen Lodge or House
Griffeen Lodge or House was the home of Captain James Gandon, General
Practitioner for the County of Dublin and son of the architect James Gandon. It
was built area 1812 and is a two storey building in the Gothic style, with a slate
roof, rendered walls, castellated parapets and octagonal piers in the Jacobean
manner. The River Griffeen runs along the west side of the house and grounds.
Primrose Hill House
Primrose Hill House, possibly designed by James Gandon, is a late eighteenth
century farmhouse. It was once occupied by Dr. James Irwin, a Presbyterian
minister and leading republican and associate of Eamon de Valera. The house
and gardens are open to the public at certain times of the year. The present
owners are the Hall family. The gardens are particularly noted for their
extensive collection of snowdrop species, Gatanthus sp.
Primrose Hill H o u s e (Courtesy
of Duchas,
The Heritage
Service)
Park statistics
Area of Park:
79 Hectares
No. of Entrances:
13
Length of Footpaths:
5220m
Area of Woodlands and Hedgerows:
15 Hectares
Length of River:
5635m
No. of Pitches:
11
No. of Car Parking Spaces:
Approximately 209 spaces
Area of Playground:
2286m2
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An
Chomhairie
Oidhreachta
The
Heritage
Council
This publication is generously supported by
the Heritage Council in partnership with
South Dublin County Council
under the 2002 Publications Grant Scheme.
Parks and Landscape Services Department,
South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Telephone: (01) 414 9255 Fax: (01) 414 9205
email: [email protected]. web: www.southdublin.ie