Designed landscape feature in Unknown Townland

Located in flat terrain just NW of the cross erected for the arrival of Pope John Paul in Phoenix Park. This large enigmatic enclosure is shown on the 1837 edition OS 6-inch map as a roughly oval enclosure (Int. L 152m, E-W; Wth 123m N-S) and appears as a ditched feature on aerial photographic coverage (pers. comm. Leo Swan). It is visible on the ground as a curving flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 3.2-4m; D 0.2-0.4m) which encloses a level, oval area. There is a causeway in the NE which opens onto an avenue-like feature extending from the Chief Secretary's house. It is disturbed by a number of later trackways that transect the site. A trough has been placed within the interior. The size, shape and form of this enclosure compares favourably with the landscaped areas in the park and it may be a landscaped feature of 18th-century date. On Rocque's map of County Dublin (1760) it is shown as part of the extensive gardens of the Chief Secretary's house. Compiled by : Geraldine Stout Upload date: 30 September 2011