Albert College Park (Dublin)

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Albert College Park (Hampstead Park)
Albert College Park is located in Dublin
Albert College Park
Albert College Park
TypeMunicipal
LocationDublin, Ireland
Coordinates53°22′55″N 6°15′45″W / 53.38194°N 6.26250°W / 53.38194; -6.26250Coordinates: 53°22′55″N 6°15′45″W / 53.38194°N 6.26250°W / 53.38194; -6.26250
Area15 hectares (0.15 km2; 0.058 sq mi)
Operated byDublin City Council
StatusOpen all year
WebsiteDublin City Parks - Albert College Park

Albert College Park (also known as Hampstead Park) is a public park owned by Dublin City Council and managed by the council's Parks and Landscape Services division. It is located in northern Glasnevin, in the mid-northern suburbs of Dublin.

Location and access[]

The park is located on Ballymun Road in northern Glasnevin, next to the main campus of Dublin City University (DCU), and has been called an "oasis" in the area.[1] It is bordered to the north and east by DCU, by Hampstead Private Hospital and the Elmhurst convalescent home to the southeast, Hampstead Avenue to the south, and Ballymun Road to the west.

Cuilín House[]

In the middle of Albert College Park is Cuilín House. This was the original building, used from 1838 by Glasnevin Model Farm (sometimes called The Glasnevin Institute) prior to its being renamed Albert College, and the development in 1851 of the larger, Albert College Building. Now part of DCU, it was used into the twentieth century as a residence for professors of the college. A listed building, owned by Dublin City Council, it was used by community groups for a while, however now it is largely abandoned and boarded up. Sports changing rooms have been developed on the site adjacent to the house.[2]

Sporting facilities and walks[]

The National Tennis Centre is based in the park. Established in 2003, with additional courts added in 2005 and 2008, the National Tennis Centre was developed replacing existing tarmac courts.[3]

There are Gaelic football and soccer pitches, used by a variety of clubs, such as Na Fianna, Glasnevin Soccer Club, Stella Maris and Bohemian F.C. youth teams. There are Boules (pétanque) courts and a cricket crease.[1]

A 3.5 km Slí na Sláinte exercise trail route links the park and the DCU main campus.[4] The park is also a venue for junior parkrun.

There is a children's playground. There is also a Native Tree Trail, in both English and Irish.[1]

Amenites[]

In 2021, Dublin City Council installed public toilets and cafes in four parks around Dublin, one of which was Albert College Park. The toilets are located in the Tram Cafe in the park.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Dublin City Council: Albert College Park/Hampstead Park". Dublincity.ie. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Cuilin House - Albert College/Hampstead Park Whitehall". abandoneddublin.ie.
  3. ^ "National Tennis Centre". tennisireland.ie. Tennis Ireland.
  4. ^ "DCU/Albert College Park/Hampstead Park Slí na Sláinte" (PDF). Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Tram Cafe - Albert College Park/Hampstead Park Whitehall". Google Maps.
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