PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

My exploration of Santry Demesne Public Park began with a ride on the new E1 bus to Northwood. Intrigued by this terminus, I ventured into the area and, trusting my sense of direction, soon found myself near Morton Stadium and the adjacent park. (As an aside, during my time at B+I Shipping, I shared an office with Billy Morton’s brother – whose name escapes me, though he always introduced himself by his famous sibling).

The park proved far larger than I’d imagined. Santry Demesne occupies the grounds of a once-grand house and gardens, originally built in 1703 on the site of a medieval dwelling. The house fell into disrepair around the turn of the 20th century, with local stories offering various explanations. A devastating fire in 1947 sealed its fate, and the house was finally demolished in 1959.

Despite its destruction, traces of the house’s former splendour remain. Visitors can still see the foundations, front steps, tree avenue, and walled garden. In June 2003, Fingal County Council took over Santry Demesne, transforming it into a valuable public amenity.

Today, the park offers a children’s playground, a network of paths for walkers, joggers, and dog walkers, and free car parking just inside the main gates. The Community Garden, within the Walled Garden, is flourishing, boasting a Kitchen Garden and Heritage Orchard established for over two years. The front section is currently being developed into a Recreational Garden, soon to be open to the public more regularly.

While the original stone temple from the Domvile family’s Templeogue residence (moved to Luggala in County Wicklow in 1858) is no longer in Santry, a facsimile stands in its place. The original Phoenix Folly, however, remains a key feature, echoing the more famous Phoenix Column in Phoenix Park.

The Phoenix Folly draws inspiration from the 1747 monument in Phoenix Park, commissioned by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This column, topped with a mythical phoenix, was a prominent feature on the park’s main avenue, though later moved. It is thought to have commemorated the park’s opening to the public, symbolising a new era of access for Dubliners.

Santry Demesne’s Phoenix Folly faithfully recreates the original column’s key architectural elements, showcasing neoclassical elegance. The Corinthian column, with its fluted shaft and intricately carved capital, exemplifies this style, while the ornate base and sculpted phoenix enhance its aesthetic appeal.

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