Bushy Park, Dublin

Bushy Park is a large park located in Terenure Dublin, Ireland.

Location

Although situated mainly in Terenure, it stretches also into Rathfarnham (which is its address) and Templeogue. It is not far from Terenure College boys' school and has several entrances. The River Dodder passes through it.

Attractions

Many sporting clubs and schools in the area use the park for recreational activities. It has football fields, a skateboarding area and a tennis court. There is a children's playground, a woodland walk through a large wood into Rathfarnham, a duck pond and a recently reopened kiosk. In front of the pond is a high hill and behind the pond is a starting point for the woodland walk, which contains a waterfall.

History

Bushy Park House was originally owned by Arthur Bushe of Dangan, County Kilkenny, Secretary to the Revenue Commissioners who built the house, originally known as "Bushe's House" in 1700 on a site of 4 hectares. A John Hobson became the owner in 1772 and changed the name of the house to Bushy Park, possibly after Bushy Park in London. The third owner was Abraham Wilkinson who in 1791 added almost 40 extra hectares to this estate when his only daughter Maria married Robert Shaw who was first baronet, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of Dublin. In 1796 he gave the house and estate as a dowry to the couple. Bushy Park House became the seat of Sir Robert Shaw when he left nearby Terenure House. The Shaw family was connected with Bushy Park until they sold the house and grounds to Dublin City Council (formerly Dublin Corporation) in 1953. The house and eight hectares of the grounds were then sold by Dublin City Council to the Congregation of Religious Christian Education in 1955. Dublin City Council re-acquired two acres of woodland in 1992.

As of early 2008 there are plans to refurbish Bushy Park House.