THE CURRENTLY DEFUNCT BANDSTAND AT BUSHY PARK
Towards the east of Bushy Park, not far from the duck pond, lies a curious structure: a fan-shaped bandstand nestled at the base of a slope, creating a natural amphitheatre.
When I visited in August 2022, the bandstand appeared somewhat neglected. This was in stark contrast to its vibrant state in 2019 when it was transformed by a captivating street art project. However, I recently discovered an online review from 2021 that described the bandstand as "defunct" and a haven for "drug addicts and alcoholics." This concerning description prompted me to investigate further.
It seems that Dublin City Council has taken steps to address the bandstand's decline. Howley Hayes Architects have been commissioned to design a contemporary tearoom, carefully considering its placement and relationship with the park's landscape, the proposed Dodder Cycleway, and the surrounding Terenure, Rathfarnham, and Rathgar areas. Excitingly, the project also includes plans to revitalise the bandstand itself.
Update: I contacted Dublin City Council and learned that the bandstand and tearoom project is still in the planning stages. However, they have confirmed that the bandstand has undergone some maintenance and cleaning since my last visit. While it's not yet clear what the final design will entail, it's encouraging to know that this unique structure will be given a new lease of life.
A Bit More About Bushy Park:
Bushy Park covers 20.5 hectares (51 acres) and is located approximately 7km (4.3 miles) south-west of Dublin city centre. Owned and operated by Dublin City Council, this irregularly shaped park lies within Terenure, bordering Rathfarnham and Templeogue. Its boundaries are formed by Templeogue Road, Springfield Road, Dodder View Road, Rathfarnham Road, and Rathdown Park/Avenue. The River Dodder flows along the park's eastern edge, with its southern bank merging into the Dodder Valley Linear Park, a green corridor stretching discontinuously from Glenasmole in the Dublin Mountains to Ringsend, where the Dodder meets the River Liffey.
When I visited in August 2022, the bandstand appeared somewhat neglected. This was in stark contrast to its vibrant state in 2019 when it was transformed by a captivating street art project. However, I recently discovered an online review from 2021 that described the bandstand as "defunct" and a haven for "drug addicts and alcoholics." This concerning description prompted me to investigate further.
It seems that Dublin City Council has taken steps to address the bandstand's decline. Howley Hayes Architects have been commissioned to design a contemporary tearoom, carefully considering its placement and relationship with the park's landscape, the proposed Dodder Cycleway, and the surrounding Terenure, Rathfarnham, and Rathgar areas. Excitingly, the project also includes plans to revitalise the bandstand itself.
Update: I contacted Dublin City Council and learned that the bandstand and tearoom project is still in the planning stages. However, they have confirmed that the bandstand has undergone some maintenance and cleaning since my last visit. While it's not yet clear what the final design will entail, it's encouraging to know that this unique structure will be given a new lease of life.
A Bit More About Bushy Park:
Bushy Park covers 20.5 hectares (51 acres) and is located approximately 7km (4.3 miles) south-west of Dublin city centre. Owned and operated by Dublin City Council, this irregularly shaped park lies within Terenure, bordering Rathfarnham and Templeogue. Its boundaries are formed by Templeogue Road, Springfield Road, Dodder View Road, Rathfarnham Road, and Rathdown Park/Avenue. The River Dodder flows along the park's eastern edge, with its southern bank merging into the Dodder Valley Linear Park, a green corridor stretching discontinuously from Glenasmole in the Dublin Mountains to Ringsend, where the Dodder meets the River Liffey.
THE CURRENTLY DEFUNCT BANDSTAND AT BUSHY PARK