Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland. Author K.ristof.

Top 10 Fun Facts about Phoenix Park, Ireland


 

Phoenix Park is a large Private park which is located in Dublin, Ireland. It lies two to four kilometres west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey.

Phoenix Park鈥檚 name is derived from the Irish Fhionnuisce which means clear of still water. This park has a great history which tourists love learning about.

The Normans conquered Dublin and its hinterland in the 12th century. The 1st Baron of Castle knock granted a large area comprising Phoenix Park to the Knights Hospitaller.

Ownership of this land changed over the years. The park has an eleven kilometres perimeter wall which encloses seven hundred and seven hectares of recreational space.

Phoenix Park鈥檚 land includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues. Since the 17th century, the park has been home to a herd of wild fallow deer.

The government of Irish is lobbying UNESCO to get the park designated as a world heritage site. The government can achieve this by removing all parking amenities for pedestrians. They will replace all usual parking facilities with cycle lanes and condoning off main roads and access points cars and traffic.

Here are the top 10 Fun Facts about Phoenix Park, Ireland:

1. The Cost of Building the Park Amounted to 拢31K in 1669

Following the history of how Phoenix Park came into existence, several rulers had to play a huge role. Charles the second of England, his Viceroy in Dublin, the Duke of Ormond established a royal hunting park.

The royal hunting park was established on two thousand acres of land in 1662. It contained pheasants and wild deer. Due to this, it was necessary to enclose the entire area with a wall.

This whole process of establishing Phoenix Park was costly. It cost 拢31,000 to build and establish Phoenix Park.

2. Phoenix Park鈥檚 Name is Derived from an Irish Name

. Phoenix Park, is a public park in Dublin, Ireland. Author William Murphy.

The park has been in existence for several years. It was established as a common park whose functions changed later on in life.

Phoenix Park鈥檚 name was derived from an Irish name Fhionnuisce. This means clear or still water.

3. It Took 20 Years to Complete Expansion of the Park

As years went by, the park was interesting but later on got neglected. In the 19th century, the expansion of the park had become neglected.

The management of the park was taken over by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. Renowned English Landscape architect Decimus Burton was retained to design the overall plan for the public areas.

There were huge plans of how to renovate the park. New paths, gate-lodges, levelling and tree planting and relocating of the Phoenix Column were carried out. This took twenty years to complete.

4. Phoenix Park is Split Between Three Civil Parishes with Own Legislation

Phoenix Park, is a public park in Dublin, Ireland.Author William Murphy.

The park located in Ireland is located in a strategic location. It is split between three civil parishes.

Theperishhes are known as Castleknock, Chapelizod and the last at St James鈥. Castleknock is to the northwest, Chapelizod is to the south and St James鈥 to the east.

St James鈥 is mainly centred south of River Liffey around the parish church. Phoenix Park has its piece of legislation.

The legislation is under the Phoenix Park Act, of 1925. It includes giving powers to park rangers to remove and arreof offenders who disobey its bye-laws. One of the bye-laws is 鈥淣o person shall act contrary to public morality in the park.鈥

5. Residence of the President of Ireland is in the Park

Phoenix Park has several roles with some being unique and not expected. The residence of the President of Ireland, Aras an Uachtarain was built in 1754 and is located in the park.

This is the Viceregal Lodge which was the official residence of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It lasted until the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922.

6. Several Events Take Place at Phoenix Park Annually

Phoenix Park, is a public park in Dublin, Ireland. Author William Murphy

The massive park has also been used as a venue for various events. Annual fun and recreation activities take place at Phoenix Park.

These events include motor racing, Phoenix Park motor races, Great Ireland run, concerts, Phoenix Park free festivals, Phoenix cricket club and exhibitions. The first motor racing started in 1903 and has been going on over the years.

Seven different circuits have been used with two of them being named after the famous Ferrari World Champion racing driver Mike Hawthorn. Music concerts have been taking place at Phoenix Park with the world鈥檚 greatest musicians performing here. Most of these events attract several spectators who enjoy every moment.

7. 351 Identified Plant Species are Found in the Park

Phoenix Park.Image by Sharon Ang from

Phoenix Park has a wide range of flora. There are three hundred and fifty-one plant species in the park.

Three of these plant species are rare and protected. One of the interesting things is that the park has retained almost all the old grassland and woodland.

The park also has a rare examples of wetlands. Thirty per cent of the park is covered with broadleaf.

8. Deer were Introduced to the Park In the 1660s and there鈥檚 More Fauna

 Phoenix Park.Image by Igor Soldic from

Phoenix Park has a wide range of fauna. Deer were introduced into Phoenix Park in the 1660s.

The current four hundred to four hundred and duty fallow deer descended from the original herd that was introduced to the park. There are also several species of birds found in the park.

Between 2007 and 2008, a birdwatch survey found seventy-two species of birds. They include the common buzzard, Eurasian sparrow hawk, common kestrel and Eurasian Jay.

The great spotted woodpecker which is Ireland鈥檚 newest breeding bird has been spotted in the park on several occasions. The long-eared owl was confirmed as a breeding species in 2012.

9. The Magazine Fort is Located the Southeast of the Park

Phoenix Park has several facilities within. One of the major sites is the Magazine Fort which is located in the southeast.

It marks the location where Phoenix Lodge was built by Sir Edward Fisher in 1611. The Lodge was demolished when the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ordered a powder magazine be provided for Dublin.

10. a Restored Medieval Tower House is Dating from the 15th Century

Phoenix Park has got more medieval landmarks. Among them is the oldest building known as Ashtown Castle.

It is a restored medieval tower house that dates from the 15th century. The restoration began in 1989 and is located beside the visitor centre that houses interpretive displays on the history of the park.

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