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Merrion Square Art – 25 Years On!

Art on Merrion Square celebrates 25 years!

Recently, Merrion Square Artists celebrated 25 years  of Art on the Square. The mood was festive and the artists  decorated their pitches with bunting and balloons.

To add to the ambience, the sun was shining and the music from the  Soul Picnic  festival in Merrion Square park complimented the day as the various artists sang their hearts out.

There was prize giving,  face painting and  a fun day was had by all.

The Mystery Man
The Mystery Man

Merrion Square  is a  Georgian square   lined with Georgian red-brick houses;  Leinster House, Natural History Museum,  and the National Gallery.

The exhibition of original paintings on Merrion Square began in 1985 and has continued to grow ever since. The exhibition has now expanded  to three sides of the  Square covering over half a kilometre of railings and can be viewed every weekend and all year round.

Georgian Building Doorway, Oil Painting 12x10" © Donna McGee
Georgian Building Doorway, Oil Painting 12×10″ © Donna McGee

The Catholic Church purchased Merrion Square park as a possible site for the first catholic cathedral in Dublin. The park was leased in 1974 by the St Laurence O’Toole Diocesan Trust (acting on behalf of the Archdiocese of Dublin) to the Dublin Corporation for public use and named in honour of Archbishop Dermot Ryan by the City Council.   It has since come up for review again and it would seem that the new name for the park is,  Merrion Square Gardens.

The park also hosts a flamboyant statue of    Oscar Wilde ,   the Irish writer and poet (1854 – 1900).  His former residence  was No. 1  Merrion Square from 1855 to 1876, however, since 1994 the house has been taken over by The American College Dublin.

Statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Gardens
Statue of Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square Gardens

Walking the park is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.   Maintained at a high level, the park  boasts  a magnificent display of shrubs and flowers for all to enjoy in the heart of Dublin city.

Oftentimes, other events take place,   such as the Street Performance  World Championship  which should not be missed.

Then,  feast your eyes on some great  original paintings displayed on the railings every Sunday,  whatever the weather! You will find me at  No. 90 (identified by brass number plates) on the north side of the Square.  Why not drop by for a visit and say hello.

What a great way to spend Sundays!

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