08.08.16
A vacant site off South Earl Street is set to be transformed into a community garden and allotments under a new plan from Dublin City Council. The site, also known as Meath Mart is thought to form part of the historic Abbey of St Thomas complex or Thomas Court Bawn which formed the nucleus of The Liberties in its formative medieval years. St Thomas Abbey was located in this vicinity for 400 years until its dissolution in the 16th century. The site is a designated National Monument and is known to include archaeological remains, although no significant excavations have yet taken place.
The site has lain unused and unkempt for a number of years and the current project proposes to develop a new temporary and positive use of the land while protecting the subterranean layer and possible archaeology. The site will be covered with a geotexile layer and a series of raised beds will be constructed: 12 no. 30sqm beds and 5 smaller beds, together with compost area, a shed, water butts and benches.
Work is set to start later in August and will take a number of weeks to complete. The new community garden will complement other allotment sites in Dublin 8 including Weaver Square, Bridgefoot Street and Braithwaite Street. A process to let the allotments will be in place later in the year.
