Much to the surprise of local dogwalkers and lunching businessmen enjoying Dartmouth Square park in Dublin today, singer-songwriter Damien Rice could be seen on his knees helping to plant 32 pear and apple trees.
It was part of an initiative by the singer to put something ecological into his work schedule for every place he visits. Rice is currently working on a collaborative album with all proceeds going to nature, he said.
While there is a romantic notion of being a musician, his work generates plastic and he creates pollution by touring around the world, so he wants to give something back, he told The Irish Times.
The tree planting was co-ordinated by Dartmouth Square resident Peter O’Brien.
Earlier this year Mr O’Brien negotiated a deal with businessman and owner of Dartmouth Square park Noel O’Gara to maintain and run the park as an amenity.
Mr O’Gara bought the park in 2005 for about €10,000 and since then it has been a source of controversy.
Attempts by Dublin City Council to purchase the park have failed.
Piles of cleared dead branches and soil at the park’s edge reveal the summer of work undertaken to restore the park, which Mr O’Brien explains has been done through volunteer work and donations.
Over the summer it has held yoga classes, poetry readings and tonight Mr O'Brien expects up to 1,000 people to attend an upcoming screening of early Dracula film Nosferatu.
