Royal through and through
November 30, 2009However, Europe's largest enclosed urban public park has a history that dates back many centuries earlier, to the 12th in fact. The current Chief Park Superintendent with the Office of Public Works has royal blood running through his veins also as Meath native Dr John McCullen has been at the helm in the park for the past 25 years.
For this year's edition of the Royal County yearbook, we speak to John about his role in the Phoenix Park, his recent publication on the history of the location and his love of Meath football.
Before his move to the capital John was heavily involved in the St Pat's GAA club for many years both as a player and an official in most capacities on the committee.
"I think I was involved with the committee from the age of 17 and continued to hold some position or another up until I moved to Dublin in 1984," said John.
Having played at all levels for the Stamullen based club, John lined out for the Meath under-21 in 1968, but unfortunately for them they came up against a strong Dublin side in the first round of the championship. However, during the same year, John had the honour of being called into the senior squad as well and he made his debut against Longford in the national league.
John also lined out with his brother Pat, who starred at centre back for the club, while also lining out for the Meath juniors.
"The club was going fairly well around that time and we had some excellent players. We won the Feis Cup that year, which was the only medal I actually won in the game. It was a great honour to be called into the county, but I went to college in England in 1970 and that put an end to that."
On returning home from the U.K having being awarded and MSc in Landscape Ecology, Design and Maintenance from Wye College, London University, John resumed his playing career with St Pat's and indeed his work within the committee continued. One of his proudest achievements occurred off the field, when John was chairman of the club.
"I was chairman for about ten years and during that time we started to build the community hall in the grounds and that turned out to be a great success. A lot of people worked hard to get that hall built and I have to admit I was proud to be involved in that project."
His role of Phoenix Park Superintendent meant that John moved all the family to Dublin and a residence in the park, where he still lives to this day. Two years after his move to Dublin, John produced the first conservation management plan for the Phoenix Park, while he is currently part of the committee putting together the second plan.
Being responsible for the day to day running of the park is a time consuming affair to say the least and his interest in the GAA was forced to take a back seat, although that did not stop him from supporting the Royals.
"I wouldn't go to as many games as I use too, but I'd still watch them and television and would know what's going on. Meath have reached two of the last three All-Ireland semi finals and that in itself is a great achievement. If they can keep the nucleus of that side together and bring through a few more lads, I'd be confident that they can win another All-Ireland in the next few years."
Working in Phoenix Park means that John is always close to sport as part of his role includes looking after the 30-odd sport pitches in the grounds.
Some of the more noted landmarks situated on the 1760 acres of land are Aras an Uachtarán, Dublin Zoo, the Papal Cross, while other monuments include the Wellington and Phoenix monuments.
The oldest building in the park is Ashtown Castle, a restored medieval tower house dating from the 15th century. Restoration began in 1989 and it is located beside the Visitor Centre which houses interpretive displays on the 5,500 years of park and area history.
Other places of interest include the headquarters of the Garda Síochána, and the National Ambulance Service College is located at Saint Mary's Hospital on the Chapelizod side of the park.
John is passionate about his job and as part of his thesis to complete a PhD; he recently launched the book 'An Illustrated History of the Phoenix Park Landscape and Management to 1880.'
The book provides a detailed account of the history of the park and it is the first of its kind to be published. John spent many years researching the publication and he is delighted with the end product.
"Two years ago I received a PhD from Trinity College for the thesis that I completed. That was basically where the book originated from and I enjoyed doing all the research. I was gathering information for a number of years and thankfully I'm happy with the outcome.
The book was launched at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham by Dr Martin Mansergh, TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Finance.
John continues to be involved in a number of ongoing projects with the most recent being the conservation and restoration of Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge. Tweet
