Ranelagh Parks are hidden behind the shops in Ranelagh village between Bistro Bianconi and the AIB and can be accessed from under the railway bridge through a giant, gated arch.
It has recently come to my attention, via a history graduate friend of mine, that parks generally have a long and illustrious history and, of course, Ranelagh Parks is no exception.
Originally built, not by Lord Ranelagh to big-up his lordiness, as you may have thought but by some 18th century business man who must have been a big fan of the dear Lord Ranelagh or of his other gardens in London.
Now, here's why the Ranelagh Gardens are four stars in my book: it was here that, in 1785, only two years after it's invention, the first manned hot air balloon flight in Ireland happened. The man responsible was Richard Crosbie, a Wicklow man and a former Trinner. So, for historical reason, I will personally propose that Ireland's first manned space mission be launched in the Ranelagh Gardens.
Back on Earth, Ranelagh Gardens are a nice place to hang for a while, although, a local resident I know tells me, there can be some young roughians around from time to time and to my eye, the parks, particularly around the entrance, could be slightly better maintained. The big pond is lovely and full of ducks. Also, if you look it up on a satellite map, or if in a couple of years you happen to be Ireland's first astronaut, you'll see that, from space, it's basically a giant exclamation mark.
So four stars for a nice park with a great history and only one removed pending Ireland, at long last, joining the space race. read more