Survey Data
Reg No
50060005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social, Technical
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1825 - 1835
Coordinates
309780, 236365
Date Recorded
29/07/2014
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Cast-iron gate screen, built c.1830. Double-leaf geometric arrow-headed cast-iron vehicular gates, flanked by matching single-leaf pedestrian gates, supported on four square-section cast-iron piers having corniced caps with egg-and-dart moulding. Outer piers topped with coiled and spherical finials, inner piers with brass lamps over curlicue cast-iron standards. Arrow-headed cast-iron railings over curved, rock-faced limestone walls to either side, terminated by matching piers, capped and topped with spherical stone finials. Wall and railings extend to north, abutting rubble stone western boundary wall of Phoenix Park, south pier abutted by roughcast wall and matching set of gates (50060007), leading to Farmleigh Estate. Bitmac entrance road and footpath, some granite kerb stones. Forms set-piece with White's Gate Lodge (50060004) to northeast.
Appraisal
A fine early nineteenth-century cast-iron and limestone gate screen, erected to designs by Decimus Burton, forming an important element of his remodelling of Phoenix Park. Intended as a showpiece, the gate screen constitutes a key component of the park boundary, designed for public view. The gate screen, with makers mark J & C McGloughlin Ltd. Dublin, is well maintained and is further enhanced by the restoration of the brass lamps. It is complemented by an early twentieth-century Arts and Crafts gate lodge (50060004) to the northeast and a matching gate screen is located in close proximity to the south (50060007).