Victorian and Edwardian public parks in Ireland
Dr Joanna Brück of University College Dublin writes:
- Remnant ironwork in an Irish Park
I am currently starting a research project focusing on the potential these hold for interpreting concepts of class, gender and cultural identity in the context of British imperialism. As heteropeias, landscapes in which orders of value could be marked out and idealised relationships created, parks gave material form to the discourse in which ideas of Ireland and its inhabitants were constructed.
The project aims to examine surviving elements of these historic landscapes including statuary, bandstands, gatehouses, ponds, terraces and drinking fountains, employing research methodologies and interpretative frameworks drawn from historical archaeology, cultural geography, architectural history and art history. As an archaeologist and prehistorian, however, this is an entirely new research direction for me. I am familiar with the work of Hazel Conway, Hilary Taylor and Harriet Jordan on British public parks, but would much appreciate any contacts or references that readers might be able to suggest, particularly on public parks of this date in the Americas, India, Australia or other former European colonies.
Joanna dot Bruck at ucd dot ie
Reading this text, the word gobbledegook come at once to mind. I might add that the word ‘heteropeias’ does not occur in the Cambridge Dictionary – I assume heterotopia is meant; perhaps not. Although some keyholder parks have 18th century origins, the public parks of Ireland are a 19th century product – when Ireland as a whole was part of the United Kingdom. Any meaningful study needs to be undertaken in that context and not as if Ireland was a colony, which she was not. Irish gardeners (along with the Scots who dominated gardening in the 19th century) did however play an important in the creation of public gardens in the colonies – that might be a more meaningful study. I am helping to organise a conference on Public Parks in Dublin on October 23rd to 25th – indeed I have just sent material for flyer to be printed. Venue is Farmleigh House. Hazel Comway and other will be there. I will arrange for a flyer to be sent to Ms Bruck.
Dear Terence , I take a sometime interest in the old gardens and demesnes of Ireland. While surfing I came across your reference to the conference in Farmleigh. I would like to attend .I would also appreciate a flyer.
Yours Bobby Buckley.
Please send me info on the Farmleigh conf.
To Terence Reeves-smyth Would be interested in the conference at Farmleigh