The Iveagh Gardens
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We at NCSC are so excited to be the new custodians of the heritage of the North Wing of Earlsfort Terrace, a building with a great history of innovation and learning which we can't wait to add to. We are also privileged and delighted that this building faces onto the much beloved Iveagh Gardens.
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We have been hugely conscious of the history and legacy of the Gardens, and meticulous in making sure the plans respected the terms of their transfer. We believe the plans hold true to the spirit of the Guinness family and Lord Iveagh in the continuation of innovation in public amenities.
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Over the last while, there have been concerns raised over the centre's proximity to the gardens, we wanted to answer some of these miscommunicated details of the plans here. Have a read, and if you have any unanswered questions or doubts please drop us a line on our contact page!
CONCERN: The centre is being built on the Iveagh Gardens
TRUE or FALSE:
The centre is in fact being built entirely within the Earlsfort Terrace Complex. NCSC will be housed in the existing structure of the East Wing of Earlsfort Terrace, the original UCD campus, which will be extended. None of the new buildings will extend into the Gardens at all.
CONCERN: There are plans for visually insensitive concrete ramps in the park
TRUE or FALSE:
There are no concrete ramps proposed for this scheme at all and all wheelchair access to the park will be provided on an area of land outside of the park where there is currently a single storey flat roof structure, accessed from the Dept. of Foreign Affairs. (see map) This wheelchair access will be created using stone-clad ramps that will not be placed within the boundaries of the park. This wheelchair access will finally make the Iveagh Gardens universally accessible from the Earlsfort Terrace, opening the gardens to all citizens equally.
CONCERN: The plans involve felling numerous important old trees
TRUE or FALSE:
A small number of self-seeded trees are to be felled, but the extent of this is extremely limited. A full tree survey was provided for as part of the granted planning application and the trees which are to be removed are not considered to be of historical importance or of a high quality. The removal of any trees from the site is fully in accordance with good conservation and ecological requirements, and new trees will be planted. All the proposed development respects the integrity and history of the Gardens and its trees as originally planted.
CONCERN: It will demolish a wall, essential to the original plans of the gardens
TRUE or FALSE:
The wall is a relatively recent addition to the Gardens and only a small portion of it will be demolished to provide greater physical and visual access to the Gardens. It was used to separate the gardens from UCD but otherwise it is of no historical importance. The original design from 1865 clearly shows the original intention and relationship between the Great Exhibition Hall and the Gardens, and how the crescent shape, which still exists at the end of the gardens, is responding to the building. A tiny area on the boundary, stretching over just a few metres will be simply and sympathetically resurfaced and carefully landscaped to reconnect the buildings with the Gardens as was the original intention of the initial design.
CONCERN: The plans destroy natural habitats for many animals
TRUE or FALSE:
None of the new buildings extend into the Gardens, however with the small amount of landscaping and removal of some trees and part of the wall the OPW have carried out all necessary wildlife surveys to ensure that no habitats are disturbed.