Fish-pond

The National Monuments Service's description

Located south of the Ward river valley and defined by two broad (c.13m) top width) undulating banks that are topped by trees and brambles, it was originally recorded as a fish pond. The western third is within the grounds of Brackenstown House and has been cleared, but still retains its form, and is currently in use as a horse riding paddock. The majority of the feature is located north of playing fields abutting sprawling housing estates. The base of the site is waterlogged towards the east end. The section to the south is used as a walkway and is defined by well-established trees and outer ditch. The ‘old pond’ is fact a canal, part of Robert Molesworth's 'landscape of Breckdenston' that was constructed between 1714-1719. Described as 'thirty yards broad and flanked double on each side by two walks, a higher and a lower, the higher walk being planted with trees’ it was part of a model landscape which reflected Whig philosophy, Italianate design and ‘a farmlike way’ of gardening (O’Kane 2004, 25). It was also used for fish.

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Updated by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 03 January 2015

References

O'Kane, F. 2004 Landscape Design in Eighteenth Century Ireland. Cork University Press.