Harold’s Cross
At the centre of Harold’s Cross is a wedge-shaped park which occupies the site of the original village green and medieval common. The common remained an open green up until the late 19th century when the present enclosed park was laid out in 1893 to 1894 by the Rathmines Township Commissioners.
Source: Kimmage Busconnects documentation.

Association with Poddle
The original course of the Poddle after it had given up one third of its water at the Tongue continued its course to Dublin City, flowing through the grounds of the present Mount Argus Church and the former Loaders Park Mills there, then along the present Lower Kimmage Road (flowing under the front gardens of some houses there) and Harold’s Cross Road where it flowed under the Grand Canal and along Clanbrassil Street,
What the Newspapers Say
- Evening Herald 23 Oct 1963: Our Lady’s Hospice – new wing: Situated on the banks of the little known Poddle river at Harold’s Cross is a group of buildings now known as Our Lady’s Hospice, founded in 1845 by Mother Mary Aikenhead, foundress of the Sisters of Charity. These buildings were later to provide refuge and shelter (for young and old where, when all human aid had failed, they might receive nursing, care, consolation and resignation in their closing days. … The buildings have been extended to provide greater accommodation and beds and a new wing was added a few years ago.