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What’s it like living in Phoenix Park, Dublin? ‘People look over the fence, taking photos’
🇮🇪 Ireland /Culture & Society

What’s it like living in Phoenix Park, Dublin? ‘People look over the fence, taking photos’

From Irish Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Living in Dublin's Phoenix Park requires constant availability for staff managing the 1,750-acre amenity, which is open 24/7.
  • Horticulture foreman Declan Bermingham described his role, which includes responding to emergencies like fallen trees or car crashes, and the challenges of maintaining an old, historic lodge.
  • The park's management relies on bylaws from the 1925 Phoenix Park Act to enforce rules and ensure the safety of visitors and its wild deer population.

Living within Dublin's expansive Phoenix Park offers a unique, tranquil existence, but it comes with the constant responsibility of being on-call for the 1,750-acre public space. Horticulture foreman Declan Bermingham, who moved to the park's Kitchen Garden Lodge three years ago, traded the urban bustle for "total, night-time silence."

It is a city park at the end of the day. You really never know what you’re going to come across.

— Declan BerminghamDeclan Bermingham described the unpredictable nature of working within the Phoenix Park.

Bermingham and his partner reside in a historic Cotswolds-style lodge on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin, the President's residence. Despite its charm, the old structure with single-pane windows presents heating challenges in winter. As an employee of the Office of Public Works (OPW), Bermingham is required to be available around the clock, a necessity for ensuring the park's smooth operation.

Margaret Gormley, the park's chief park superintendent, emphasized the critical role of on-site staff. "A constant presence of OPW staff is fundamental to the functioning of the park," she stated. The park operates under bylaws established by the 1925 Phoenix Park Act, which govern everything from prohibiting fires and unauthorized driving on grass to protecting the park's 600-strong wild deer population.

A constant presence of OPW staff is fundamental to the functioning of the park.

— Margaret GormleyMargaret Gormley, the chief park superintendent, highlighted the importance of having staff on-site at all times.

Bermingham's duties extend beyond gardening and biodiversity policy. He is often the first responder to incidents, whether it's an alarm, a fallen tree blocking a road, a car crash, or more distressingly, a suicide. He recalled the significant damage caused by Storm Éowyn, where he was the only staff member able to assess and begin clearing operations until other staff could travel in. His proximity allows for quicker reactions, ensuring the park remains safe and accessible to the public, who can enter through various routes 24 hours a day.

It benefits me and the park for me to be here because I can react quicker to situations. I can be on the scene to assess and call the right people.

— Declan BerminghamBermingham explained the advantage of living within the park, allowing for immediate response to incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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