Belgrave Square, Dublin

About

Belgrave Square is a residential Victorian square in D6, Dublin, located off of Castlewood Avenue between Rathmines and Ranelagh. There is a small playground and old large chestnut trees, along with a rolling grassy area. Belgrave Square has hosted events, musical performances, and recreational outings.

History: The area of the square was originally a wasteland known as Church Fields. The residential square was constructed in 1851. By the 1890s the square had fallen into disrepair. The Governors of the Erasmus Smith School bought Belgrave Square from Mr John Holmes. It was used for 70 years as a sports ground for tennis, cricket, and rugby games by the students of the High School, Harcourt Street. Work was done on a pavilion / caretaker's lodge in 1897 by John Good. The Governors rented the square for grazing sheep for £8 a year to keep grass cropped. The rent amount stayed unchanged until the end of this agreement in 1938. In 1942, during World War II, the High School made Belgrave Square available to use an assembly center if it were necessary to put the government evacuation plan into action. Fortunately, evacuation was not necessary, although a water storage tank was constructed...