History

A Martello Tower

Martello tower

Martello towers are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards....

 was previously built on the site in 1805, as can be seen from maps from 1817 and 1821.

The park was officially opened on 29 September 1890. The land had been acquired by the Kingstown

Dún Laoghaire

Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...

 town commissioners in 1889 and the park had been designed by J. L. Robinson, an architect who was chairman of the Town Commissioners.

The current system of pathways was in place by 1937.

Amenities

The park is approximately two hectares

Hectare

The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...

 in size and is bounded by Summerhill Road, Park Road and a railway cutting.

The gate lodge is at the entrance at the junction of Upper Georges Street, Park Lane and Summerhill Road.

The bandstand is at the centre of the park, with a playground to the east. There are two fountains in the park as well as Tea Rooms and a Garden for the Blind.

Sunday Markets are held on Sundays throughout the year.

The nearest railway station is Sandycove and Glasthule

Sandycove and Glasthule railway station

Sandycove and Glasthule railway station serves the suburban areas of Sandycove and Glasthule south of Dun Laoghaire in County Dublin, Ireland. The building is on a bridge as the rail line is in a cutting...

on Summerhill Road.