1. History
    Controversy 

2. References

Dartmouth Square (Cearnóg Dartmouth) is a Victorian square near Ranelagh, in D6, Dublin.^[2] It is near the Leeson Street bridge over the Grand Canal, between Upper Leeson Street and Ranelagh Road.

Dartmouth Square has a simple layout, including a low granite plinth wall, a pergola and its walkway, and trees which enclose the space. The park boundary is marked by the original wrought iron railings and gates, which are part of the Architectural Conservation Area for the square.

History

The square was originally part of the Darley Estate. The park was developed as part of the surrounding terraces, and was intended for the sole use of residents on the square.

The park became a financial burden to the residents of the square. It was leased to Loreto Hockey Club in 1926 for use as a hockey pitch for past students. Later, it was used by current students of Loreto College, St. Stephens Green. Differing accounts say that hockey was either played in the square until the 1950s, or that it stopped in the 1930s, when it became harder to maintain. The park began to decline and was overgrown.

In 1987, The Residents Association went to the Lord Mayor, Mrs Carmencita Hederman, which led to the City Manager, Mr Frank Feely, and his office working with the community to make plans for the park a Dublin Millennium Year project. The park was cleaned, a new pergola was erected, paths were realigned and widened, and flower beds were planted. The public park was opened and Dublin City Council opened a ten year lease. The construction and cleanup work was completed in 1988.

The lease expired in 1997, and talks took place between the Dublin City Council and the Darley Estate. The DCC continued to maintain the park.

Controversy

The square became the subject of controversy in 2005, when it emerged that years previously a lone businessman, Noel O'Gara, bought the freehold on the square for £10,000 from PJ Darley, a descendant of the squares' builders.^[2][3] O'Gara locked the gates on the park in the square in 2006.^[4] He tried to operate it as a car park but local residents blocked the gates.^[4]

In 2007 Noel O'Gara began selling tiles from the park with residents objecting on the grounds that he did not have planning permission to operate a showroom there.^[5] In late 2008 tents were erected in the park and residents urged councillors to take action against Noel O'Gara.^[6] Mr. O'Gara claimed that a man living in one tent was his gardener.^[7] In December 2008 the tents caught fire and a man was hospitalised.^[8]

After 3 years of dispute with residents and Dublin City Council, and constant illegal activities, an agreement was negotiated with Noel O'Gara by a local resident to reopen the square to be used as an amenity again. The local community gathered regularly to clean up the square which was in a state of ruin after years with no maintenance. After several months of effort, the square was returned it to its former condition. Local community members also gave money to get in heavy machinery to cut back all the overgrowth, paint benches, and get rid of the graffiti. On 11 June 2009, a reopening celebration was held. On 13 June 2009, the first outdoor yoga class took place followed by a summer of events such as silent cinema with live music, poetry evenings, kids' parties, charity fundraisers, and other events.{{fact|date=February 2019}} The charge for these classes covers the cost of a gardener to cut grass and maintain hedges, and for plants and bulbs to be bought to help maintain the park in partnership with DCC.^[3] In September 2009, singer Damien Rice took part in a tree planting with Trinity College students, planting 32 apple and pear trees.^[9]

In December 2012, the square was sold at auction on instruction of the liquidator of Marble Tile and Granite. A group of local residents bought the square at this auction and donated it back to DCC.^[10] Noel O'Gara protested at the sale, though the property was eventually sold to Dublin City Council for €142,000, with a contribution of €32,000 from local residents. The square is now wholly owned by Dublin City Council.^[10]

References

• Scythris lahaivora
• Scythris lamprochalca
• Scythris latebrosa
• Scythris latilineella
• Scythris leifi
• Scythris lobella
• Scythris lushotensis
• Scythris lycii
• Scythris maculosa
• Scythris magnipedella
• Scythris malawica
• Scythris malelanensis
• Scythris marginifuscella
• Scythris mariannae
• Scythris marianni
• Scythris maroccensis
• Scythris matopensis
• Scythris meanderis
• Scythris mesoplecta
• Scythris messinensis
• Scythris meyeri
• Scythris meyi
• Scythris minima
• Scythris mitakeana
• Scythris mongholica