THE MATER PLOT IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE FOUR MASTERS PARK IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC [ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS THE MATER PLOT]
The Four Masters Park, originally known as the Mater Plot, on Eccles Street, Dublin, has now been opened to the public. This small, formally laid-out park provides a picturesque foreground to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St. Joseph’s Church.
For many years, the park remained closed to the public, despite Dublin City Council maintaining it in excellent condition. The land is owned by the Mater Hospital, which initially restricted access. Sheila Ahern, a dedicated committee member of the Berkeley Road Area Residents Association, spearheaded a long-standing campaign to open the park. Her efforts culminated in a motion proposed by Green Party Councillor Janet Horner at a Central Area meeting on 8th March 2022. The motion called on the Mater Hospital to grant public access, and shortly thereafter, a hospital spokesperson indicated their intention to facilitate this 'in the near future'.
The park's history is intertwined with the now-cancelled Metro North project. Historical records indicate plans to integrate the park with a 'Mater Stop' on the original Metro North line. A partially constructed underground structure, often referred to as a 'box', remains beneath the hospital grounds, a remnant of these abandoned plans. The shift to the MetroLink project and a revised route ultimately led to the cancellation of the original Metro North plans.
Today, Sunday 9th March 2025, the park’s Eccles Street gate was found unlocked, revealing a refurbished space with new railings protecting the historic High Cross and the 'Healing Hands' sculpture.
The park features two significant artworks:
The Four Masters Memorial (1876): This High Cross, situated on a large plinth, commemorates the Franciscan friars of Donegal town who compiled the 'Annals of the Four Masters' between 1632 and 1636. Commissioned by Sir William Wilde (1815-1876), father of Oscar Wilde, the memorial reflects his deep interest in Irish history and his active role within the Royal Irish Academy. The sculpture was created by James Cahill (d. 1890), a Dublin-based sculptor who trained under John Hogan. Cahill also created the statue of Daniel O'Connell in Ennis.
The Healing Hands (2000): This hollow bronze sphere, containing an eternal flame and supported by a tree-trunk style pedestal, was erected to celebrate the third millennium. It symbolises the healing ministry of Christ and the care provided by the Mater Hospital, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1861. The eternal flame represents God's everlasting love. Artist Tony O’Malley, originally from Tipperary and based in West Cork, created the sculpture, incorporating handprints from patients and staff at the hospital. This person-centric design reflects the collaborative nature of healing. O'Malley's previous work, 'Universal Links for Human Rights,' influenced the creation of 'The Healing Hands'.
The reopening of the Four Masters Park marks a significant moment for the local community, providing a green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Four Masters Park, originally known as the Mater Plot, on Eccles Street, Dublin, has now been opened to the public. This small, formally laid-out park provides a picturesque foreground to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St. Joseph’s Church.
For many years, the park remained closed to the public, despite Dublin City Council maintaining it in excellent condition. The land is owned by the Mater Hospital, which initially restricted access. Sheila Ahern, a dedicated committee member of the Berkeley Road Area Residents Association, spearheaded a long-standing campaign to open the park. Her efforts culminated in a motion proposed by Green Party Councillor Janet Horner at a Central Area meeting on 8th March 2022. The motion called on the Mater Hospital to grant public access, and shortly thereafter, a hospital spokesperson indicated their intention to facilitate this 'in the near future'.
The park's history is intertwined with the now-cancelled Metro North project. Historical records indicate plans to integrate the park with a 'Mater Stop' on the original Metro North line. A partially constructed underground structure, often referred to as a 'box', remains beneath the hospital grounds, a remnant of these abandoned plans. The shift to the MetroLink project and a revised route ultimately led to the cancellation of the original Metro North plans.
Today, Sunday 9th March 2025, the park’s Eccles Street gate was found unlocked, revealing a refurbished space with new railings protecting the historic High Cross and the 'Healing Hands' sculpture.
The park features two significant artworks:
The Four Masters Memorial (1876): This High Cross, situated on a large plinth, commemorates the Franciscan friars of Donegal town who compiled the 'Annals of the Four Masters' between 1632 and 1636. Commissioned by Sir William Wilde (1815-1876), father of Oscar Wilde, the memorial reflects his deep interest in Irish history and his active role within the Royal Irish Academy. The sculpture was created by James Cahill (d. 1890), a Dublin-based sculptor who trained under John Hogan. Cahill also created the statue of Daniel O'Connell in Ennis.
The Healing Hands (2000): This hollow bronze sphere, containing an eternal flame and supported by a tree-trunk style pedestal, was erected to celebrate the third millennium. It symbolises the healing ministry of Christ and the care provided by the Mater Hospital, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1861. The eternal flame represents God's everlasting love. Artist Tony O’Malley, originally from Tipperary and based in West Cork, created the sculpture, incorporating handprints from patients and staff at the hospital. This person-centric design reflects the collaborative nature of healing. O'Malley's previous work, 'Universal Links for Human Rights,' influenced the creation of 'The Healing Hands'.
The reopening of the Four Masters Park marks a significant moment for the local community, providing a green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
THE MATER PLOT IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC