The Carrig 2km Heritage Challenge – Part Two

By Sinéad Hughes, Head Conservation, Carrig Conservation International 

Carrig recently came up with the idea of hosting a 2km heritage challenge whereby we invited people to share photos and descriptions of local heritage from their neighbourhoods. If you had a peek at our piece, you’ll know that the challenge is our way of making the most of the 2km radius limit imposed on us all to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. The team’s been thrilled with the positive response and it’s been wonderful to receive photos and stories about local heritage from those willing to share. 

​My Carrig colleagues have continued to spot special structures, features and places in their own localities. Angela’s entry to the challenge takes us to an area in the heart of the Irish countryside. Within her 2km radius are the remains of a vernacular building which is the last surviving structure of a traditional farmstead. By doing a map comparison of historic Ordnance Survey maps, Angela found out that the stone building was constructed sometime between 1888 and 1913. 

The farm outbuilding during the day and night

​As with most traditional buildings in Ireland, the solid masonry structure was constructed using locally sourced materials and building methods that were passed on from generation to generation. Vernacular buildings such as this example remind us of Ireland’s past and a time when people were more closely connected to the land they inhabited.

​Peter’s latest entry to the challenge is a lovely photo of Lock Number 2 on the Grand Canal. The canal was constructed in the 18th century with the purpose of connecting Grand Canal Dock in Dublin to the River Shannon. Works began c.1757, but the sections on the south side of Dublin city date from about 1790. Just beyond the lock is McKenny’s Bridge at Mount Street, which was originally known as Conyngham Bridge. On Wednesday 26th April 1916, the granite bridge and surrounding area became the scene of one of the fiercest battles of The Rising. 

​These days, the canal and bridge are quiet and local people who are lucky enough to live within 2kms of it can walk along its former tow paths. Patrick Kavanagh’s opening lines of Canal Bank Walk ring very true at present. In 1968, a seated sculpture of the Inniskeen native was erected just a short distance from where Peter took this photo.

The Canal walk at Lock Number 2

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Canal Bank Walk by Patrick Kavanagh

Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal
Pouring redemption for me, that I do
The will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal,
Grow with nature again as before I grew.
The bright stick trapped, the breeze adding a third
Party to the couple kissing on an old seat,
And a bird gathering materials for the nest for the Word
Eloquently new and abandoned to its delirious beat.
O unworn world enrapture me, encapture me in a web
Of fabulous grass and eternal voices by a beech,
Feed the gaping need of my senses, give me ad lib
To pray unselfconsciously with overflowing speech
For this soul needs to be honoured with a new dress woven
From green and blue things and arguments that cannot be proven.

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Beautiful detail on the Phoenix Park gates

​Paula’s 2km Heritage Challenge took her to the western end of Dublin’s North Circular Road to one of the main entrances of the Phoenix Park. The gateway is a well-known landmark which comprises a series of five wrought-iron gate piers with two vehicular and two pedestrian entrances. The outermost piers are topped by cast-iron ball finials whereas the three central ones have lantern lights.

​As documented by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the gateway dates from the turn of the 20th century and is a fine example of wrought-ironwork and the craftsmanship of the blacksmith. Paula’s photo captures the details of the scrolling bars, finials and the cast-iron egg-and-dart mouldings of the cornices.

Cora’s latest contribution to the Carrig 2km Heritage Challenge is a memorial fountain in Bray that is dedicated to the memory of a local medic. Dr Christopher Thompson worked in Bray in the 1870s and lived at 9 Duncairn Terrace. In 1876, there was an outbreak of cholera in the Boghall Road area and Dr Thompson volunteered to care for the victims of the dangerous disease. As a result of exposure, he contracted the disease and died on the 16th December 1876.
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Dr Thompson was buried in St Paul’s graveyard off Main Street and in recognition of his contribution to the local community, an obelisk-topped fountain was erected opposite the graveyard following a meeting in the Royal Hotel on 26th January 1877. 

The memorial fountain dedicated to Dr Christopher Thompson

We hope that our Carrig 2km Heritage Challenge is inspiring you to think about heritage within your own neighbourhood. We love seeing what’s out there in other localities, so please send us any information or photos you take of special sites, buildings and places within your 2km radius to 2kmcarrigchallenge@gmail.com!