Like a lot of Rathfarnham locals and many more in the wider community, I find solace and peace in the beautiful Rathfarnham Castle and its Historic Park. The Castle has seen many changes over time and much of its green space has been reduced, particularly over recent decades – leaving very little of its former glorious grounds intact.

These remaining grounds of Rathfarnham Castle Park are now under threat. South Dublin County Council proposes to pave over the Walled Garden (known as the Seán Keating Park) to create a new car park as part of their proposal to redevelop the Castle's Courtyards and Outbuildings by building a huge 1,400 sq meter commercial retail and food unit. 

In addition, the National Transport Authority is pressing ahead with plans to acquire part of the Woodlands (including the wooden play space  designed for children with autism/neurodiverse needs) at the other end of Rathfarnham Castle Park, in order to widen the road.

It is crucial that we preserve these threatened green spaces & are inclusive in our amenity provision while supporting much needed investment in our area and sustaining improvements in public transport. 

According to data from Eurostat (2019), Ireland has one of the lowest percentages (14%) of green urban areas among EU countries. Let's not pave paradise here and reduce this further. 

The beautiful Walled Garden, which is now at risk, was created in 2013 in honour of Seán Keating, one of Ireland's most iconic painters. Keating lived for many years in Rathfarnham and is buried in Cruagh cemetery. Two murals of his can be seen in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Ballyroan and many more in the National Gallery of Ireland.

We want to see more ambition, community benefit and recognition of the cultural importance of this unique site as the Council redevelops the lands and historical buildings at Rathfarnham Castle:

• The historic courtyard building known as Cromwell's Fort could be repurposed for public use as a multipurpose community hall, theatre and music hall, which is badly lacking in our area. Rathfarnham Concert Band and the Rathfarnham Theatre Company have been going for over 40 years and yet we have no permanent performance space in Rathfarnham for these accomplished cultural organisations. 
• Another courtyard building known as the Seismograph House is the location of what is Ireland's first seismic observatory of earthquakes and volcanoes – and is known in the international scientific world as the ‘home of seismology’. This would be the perfect site for an educational STEM exhibition space. There is an exciting community project already working to bring the original Seismograph back to the Seismograph House.
• SDCC had plans in the past to create a botanical garden dedicated to the memory of Sir Frederick Moore & Lady Moore (they resided in Willbrook House and were curators of the National Botanic Gardens and famous plant & biodiversity collectors of international renown. SDCC purchased a Turner Glass House for Rathfarnham Castle & agreed to accommodate this Moore Botanical Garden within the grounds of the Castle following a proposal from local groups.
• Rathfarnham Historical Society, local historians and other community groups have worked tirelessly to generously document, collect, and protect a vast local archive of Rathfarnham history, but we have nowhere to exhibit such cultural heritage and history.

There has been huge shock and disappointment locally at this proposal. We are calling on SDCC to focus on the cultural, heritage and amenity needs of our community, rather than investing in the installation of food trucks and retail spaces. Significant architectural and archaeological conservation is required for the Courtyard Outbuildings & Walled Garden which are National Monuments and Protected Structures, but the lack of any reference to this from SDCC is a significant concern to many.

We also call on SDCC to consider the impact a huge retail development, subsidised by SDCC, will have on existing, competing businesses in Rathfarnham Village, who pay commercial rates to SDCC. We can't risk Rathfarnham Village falling into further economic decline - our existing village traders need our support.

We are calling on South Dublin County Council to reconsider their redevelopment plans and to protect Rathfarnham Castle Park and Rathfarnham Village. Let's preserve this invaluable green space and heritage and cultural centre for current residents, visitors and future generations. Let’s protect Rathfarnham Village from economic decline.

A number of groups and individuals who care about Rathfarnham are joining forces in an optimistic endeavour to Reimagine Rathfarnham – we’d love you to join us: 

• Sign and share this petition to raise the campaign profile, spread the word across your networks using the hashtag #SaveRathfarnhamCastlePark
• Join our Facebook page - Save Rathfarnham Castle Park - for updates on our campaign and news on the project Save Rathfarnham Castle Park 
• Contact your local Councillors and public representatives to demand better. We need to support our community with sustainable development while preserving the treasured amenity that is Rathfarnham Castle Park & Rathfarnham Village. 

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