park — Mountjoy Square

Georgian city park laid out in 1802 by Luke Gardiner II in middle of Mountjoy Square. Comprising four acres (c.1.5ha), enclosed by original wrought-iron railings on moulded granite plinth wall having four entrances with matching gates set to centre of each side, and four later entrances distributed on north, east and south sides. Railings and plinth walls are curved to four corners. Splayed stiffener bars set to flat rectangular granite blocks inside railings supporting taller, thicker posts with cast-iron capping. Entrance gates flanked by doubled block and stiffener bars. Interior space divided in half along north-south axis by formal hedge. Western half comprises lawns with symmetrical meandering cobble-lock paths having assortment of trees towards perimeter. Granite sundial, c.1988, to centre of lawn on axis with western entrance. Railed-off biodiversity area at southwest corner. Eastern half of park accommodates multiple activities including nursery school, parks depot, community building, and designated sports and play areas. Two large-scale sculptures in form of mosaic ‘flower pots’ constructed around mature trees are situated within play area at southeast angle of playgrounds and to west of double-leaf gates along south side. Assortment of cast-iron and timber benches dotted around park. Wide footpath having concrete flagstones and granite kerbstones surrounds park. North, west and south sides have symmetrically placed lime trees. Twelve cast-iron shamrock-motif lamp standards line perimeter path, four each on north and west sides and two each on south and east sides.