Dublin, Ireland - Young people enjoying the summer sunshine among the flowerbeds in Merrion Square,
Merrion Square in Dublin 2 is surrounded by red brick Georgian buildings and museums. The area is the centre of commercial activity, and of government . It is a small square park of well-kept flowerbeds, fountains and leafy walks, dating from the Georgian era ( 1700s), and is also the municipal outdoor sculpture is particularly popular with office-workers, especially in good weather. Culture. Architecture. Merrion Square was laid out between 1762 and 1764 and three sides of it remain the finest example of Georgian Architecture under Dublin's Wide Streets Commission established in 1787, the fourth side being occupied by Leinster House. Up until about 50 years ago, Merrion Square was largely residential; today it is mostly offices, part of the business area of Dublin 2. In the past, though, Oscar Wilde's parents lived in Number 1, now the American college, and William Butler Yeats lived in Nos. 52 and 82. Other famous residents include Sheridan Le Fanu (No. 70) and Daniel O'Connell (No. 58). Today the square houses The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), The National University (NUI) and the Royal Society of Antiquarians of Ireland, as well as the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, where Erwin Schrödinger worked from 1939 to 1956. Within the boundaries of the Georgian doorways and their fanlights lies the square itself. Originally a private square for residents, it was purchased by the Catholic Church as a possible site for Dublin's first catholic cathedral, yet to be built. Instead, in 1974 Archbishop Dermot Ryan donated the square to the corporation, and today the exquisitely manicured gardens are named in his honour. At lunchtimes office workers stroll or bask in the sunshine there, or enjoy the free concerts in summer.
Size: 3623px × 4831px
Location: Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland
Photo credit: © Barry Mason / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: activity, bush, dublin, enjoyment, flower, flowerbed, georgian, ireland, leafy, merrion, park, pastoral, people, relax, relaxation, rus, shrub, shrubbery, square, summer, sun, tree, urbe, walk
