The Lord Mayor opens a new Dublin Corporation housing scheme and The Cabbage Garden public park.
To cheers from local children, Lord Mayor of Dublin Alexis Fitzgerald unveils a plaque to mark the official opening of the New Street Clanbrassil Street housing scheme and ‘The ‘Cabbage Garden’ public park in the Liberties.
The Dublin Corporation scheme situated at the junction of Cathedral Lane and Upper Kevin Street is comprised of 103 houses. These range from four bedroom family homes to one bedroom senior citizen residences. There are plans for another 38 houses.
In his speech, the Lord Mayor explains the story behind the park’s unusual name. When Oliver Cromwell was in Dublin during the period 1647-60,
He decided that he'd introduce to Ireland his favourite vegetable, the cabbage.
In Dublin, Oliver Cromwell resided in a house on the corner of Werburgh Street and Castle Street and his horses were stabled near St Patrick’s Cathedral. ‘The Cabbage Garden’ park land was rented by some of his soldiers to grow cabbages.
‘The Cabbage Garden’ was also the location of Capuchin and Hugeunot cemeteries in use from approximately 1668 until 1878.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 April 1982.
