merrion street

Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today opened a special exhibition of historic maps of the Phoenix Park.

Speaking in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre this afternoon the Minister said: “I am once again delighted to be here in the Park to open this wonderful exhibition of historic maps, as part of the Phoenix Park’s 350 celebrations.”

The Minister said: “As part of our celebrations we have compiled this exhibition of historical maps of the Phoenix Park and this is the first time that all these maps will have been displayed together in the one place and many of them are beautifully illustrated and capture the history of the Phoenix Park over the centuries and I would encourage people to come and see them.”

The Minister continued: “I am also delighted to announce officially that the Mad Hatters’ Street Party will take place this Easter Saturday between 12 noon and 4pm on Chesterfield Avenue. This party marks the start of the OPW’s plan to close part of Chesterfield Avenue from the Phoenix Monument to the Mountjoy roundabout, on a trial basis, at weekends to allow greater public recreational use of this part of the Park.”

“The Party will consist of fun and games for all the family and will include organised kids games, themed characters, craft activities, farmer’s market, fit for life activities, music and lots more. I would encourage people to come along and bring your own picnic, if you like, as we will be placing 40 picnic tables on the closed section of Chesterfield Avenue,” the Minister said.

The Minister concluded: “These are just a couple of the events that are planned as part of the Phoenix Park 350 celebrations in 2012 and further details of these and other events will be available throughout the year on www.phoenixpark.ie.”