A Gormanston man who once held the post of Chief Park Superintendent in the Phoenix Park has written an illustrated history of one of the most famous parks in the world. John A McCullen retired from the post in 2012 after almost 25 years service. His new book – entitled ‘The Phoenix Park An Illustrated History of its landscape and management 1880-1980’ – was launched at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham earlier this month in front of a large audience, some of whom had travelled from London and Belfast. The keynote speaker was Dr Edward McParland, the renowned architectural historian who lectured at Trinity Collee Dublin in the History of Art Department for a number of decades and author of a number of important books on architectural history.
The volume covers an important period in the history of the park, a period during which exceptional events took place, of importance not just for the nation of Ireland but the world. This book represents the most complete examination of this period in the park’s history and is the result of years of research. There are many different and complex histories to be explored, including , military, sporting, educational, landscape/horticultural, political and more. There are few better placed to write such a complete history of the Phoenix Park than John A McCullen whose many years of experience, garnered through his role as the Office of Public Work Chief Park Superintendent, is clearly in evidence throughout the book. Improvements undertaken in the park in the period covered by the book, including a number of ornamental plantations and landscape schemes heretofore undocumented, are highlighted. These include the Gough Monument plantations, the planting at the Citadel Pond and a joint planting scheme between the Viceregal Demesne and the Polo Grounds. Other developments, including the installation of the iconic bandstand and tea kiosk, are explored as well as major infrastructural improvements particularly in
relation to roads and lighting.
The landscape management and development of the park’s private demesnes – those of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (now Aras an Uachtarain) , the Chief Secretary (now the US ambassador’s residence) and the Under-Secretary for Ireland (now the park’s visitor centre) are examined, with particular reference to the productive walled gardens.
The book also discusses major sporting, religious and cultural events in the park’s history. The International Speed trials of 1903, the Centenary of Catholic Emancipation of 1929, the Eucharistic Congress of 1932 and the Papal Visit of 1979 are among the important events explored. The role of the Phoenix Park in the development of sports in Ireland including Gaelic games, soccer, cricket and polo is considered in rich detail, while the importance of the park for military training and food production during the Emergency (1939-1946) are also examined.
John McCullen’s first volume on the park’s history – An Illustrated History of the Phoenix Park (Landscape and Management to 1880 – was published in 2009. His latest book, published by the Opw, is available from Wordwell Books https://wordwellbooks.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=2024.
