Dubliners to be invited to submit name change for Merrion Sq park

Dublin City Council is expected to agree wording for an advertisement inviting Dubliners to submit ideas on an appropriate change…

Dublin City Council is expected to agree wording for an advertisement inviting Dubliners to submit ideas on an appropriate change of name for the park in Merrion Square, now formally known as Archbishop Ryan Park.

It was named after the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Ryan who transferred ownership to the city in 1974.

From 1930 the square had been leased to the archdiocese by the Pembroke Estate. The intention had been to build a cathedral there.

Archbishop Ryan was criticised in the Murphy report for his handling of allegations of clerical child sex abuse.

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At Dublin City Council’s meeting last month, Labour councillors Mary Freehill and Kevin Humphreys proposed that: “As a gesture to all of those who suffered as a result of clerical abuse, this council agrees to change the name of Archbishop Ryan Park Merrion Square and that this be done by inviting Dubliners to submit their ideas on an appropriate name for the park.”

Ms Freehill said the motion “was agreed for a report. The manager said that they will place an advertisement in the papers and other appropriate media to call for suggestions. Then these would be put to the council for their decision.”