Madam, - I share Fergal McCabe's concern at the suggestion that Fitzwilliam Square should be managed by Dublin City Council (The Irish Times, November 14th).
The council does not have the expertise to successfully take over the sensitive task of managing this exceptional surviving historic garden.
One does not have to go further than Merrion Square to see the proof of that. Council management would inevitably mean an abundance of fussy flower beds and little paths and far too many park benches. Bland sculptures, ugly playgrounds and other municipal favourites would all swamp the lovely open grassy spaces of Fitzwilliam Square with its double-belt walks and informally planted trees and shrubs.
The garden layout has remained unchanged since it was created in 1813 and is a unique survival of its kind in Ireland. If the integrity and historic character of this important urban Georgian garden is to endure into the future, it needs a low-maintenance approach. Indeed, this has been a feature of its management for very many years and is at present continued successfully by the Fitzwilliam Square Association Ltd, the leaseholders since 1971.
While it is true that the Office of Public Works (unlike Dublin City Council) would be very capable of assuming responsibility for this garden, I would question if this would be feasible. The present 150-year lease of the garden with its peppercorn rent of 5p per annum (from the Earl of Pembroke) is conditional upon its continued use as a private park.
As it is extremely unlikely that the present earl would change this lease in favour of a public body, least of all Dublin City Council, I would respectively suggest that the council should drop its ambitions for this park. - Yours, etc.,
TERENCE REEVES-SMYTH,
Gleno,
Co Antrim.