Recently transferred to Dublin Corporation, Merrion Square is open for use as a public park.
Merrion Square Park is situated at the heart of one of Dublin city's most intact and beautiful Georgian squares. It is the second-largest square in the city after Saint Stephen's Green.
In 1930 Merrion Square Park was purchased by the Roman Catholic Church for £10,000 as a site for a cathedral. This project never materialised and in 1974 Archbishop Dermot Ryan transferred the 12.5 acres of land to Dublin Corporation for use as a public park.
Until then most Dubliners had never been inside the park’s railings as it had been closed to all but residents of Merrion Square. The park has been open to the public since 5 April 1974 and young and old enjoy the open space.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 April 1974. The footage shown here is mute.
