THE CLOCKTOWER GARDEN 1 AUGUST 2019
THE CLOCKTOWER GARDENS [ST. ANNE'S PARK IN RAHENY 1 AUGUST 2019]
In the Central Nurseries, located behind the Clocktower Gardens, over 600,000 seasonal bedding plants are produced annually for the city’s parks. The wooden planters to be seen on the Liffey Boardwalk and elsewhere throughout the city, along with the tiered floral planters, are also produced & maintained within the Nursery.
The Clocktower Gardens at St. Anne's Park are so named for the prominent and historically significant Clock Tower that stands within them. This impressive structure, built around 1850, is a four-storey brick tower with a striking presence. Its most notable feature is the giant bell, nearly 1.2 metres across, inscribed with Benjamin Lee Guinness's name and the family motto, 'Spes Mea in Deo' (My Hope is in God). This inscription immediately connects the tower to the Guinness family, who were instrumental in the development of St. Anne's Park.
The Clock Tower isn't just a visual landmark; it also has an interesting architectural detail: it originally served as the entrance to the walled gardens. This suggests that the Clock Tower was not only a symbol of the Guinness estate but also an integral part of its functional design. The clock itself, made by James Booth of Dublin, has a single dial facing eastwards, towards where the main house once stood. This orientation further emphasises the tower's historical connection to the Guinness family and their estate.
Knowing these details, we can appreciate the Clock Tower Gardens in a richer context. The Clock Tower isn't merely a feature within the gardens, but a central element with historical, architectural, and symbolic importance. It's a reminder of the Guinness family's legacy and the evolution of St. Anne's Park over time.
In the Central Nurseries, located behind the Clocktower Gardens, over 600,000 seasonal bedding plants are produced annually for the city’s parks. The wooden planters to be seen on the Liffey Boardwalk and elsewhere throughout the city, along with the tiered floral planters, are also produced & maintained within the Nursery.
The Clocktower Gardens at St. Anne's Park are so named for the prominent and historically significant Clock Tower that stands within them. This impressive structure, built around 1850, is a four-storey brick tower with a striking presence. Its most notable feature is the giant bell, nearly 1.2 metres across, inscribed with Benjamin Lee Guinness's name and the family motto, 'Spes Mea in Deo' (My Hope is in God). This inscription immediately connects the tower to the Guinness family, who were instrumental in the development of St. Anne's Park.
The Clock Tower isn't just a visual landmark; it also has an interesting architectural detail: it originally served as the entrance to the walled gardens. This suggests that the Clock Tower was not only a symbol of the Guinness estate but also an integral part of its functional design. The clock itself, made by James Booth of Dublin, has a single dial facing eastwards, towards where the main house once stood. This orientation further emphasises the tower's historical connection to the Guinness family and their estate.
Knowing these details, we can appreciate the Clock Tower Gardens in a richer context. The Clock Tower isn't merely a feature within the gardens, but a central element with historical, architectural, and symbolic importance. It's a reminder of the Guinness family's legacy and the evolution of St. Anne's Park over time.
THE CLOCKTOWER GARDEN 1 AUGUST 2019