Tymon Park & Castle
Introduction
Tymon Park, is popular South Dublin park, provided by Dublin County Council in the 1980s and has been managed by South Dublin County Council since 1994. When the County Council acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order the lands for the park in the 1970s, the land had been mainly used for farming. Some families had farmed in the area for a hundred years or more.
The park forms a greenbelt of 130 hectares (over 300 acres) between the established residential areas of Tallaght and Templeogue, Walkinstown and is one of a series of regional parks established in the suburbs of Dublin in recent decades.
Opened to the public in June 1986, it was later divided into two large parks when the M50 motorway was constructed through the centre.
The eastern and western sections, thus created, were linked with a pedestrian footbridge near the Greenhills Road and another further south near the Tallaght/Templeogue Road.
Water Features
The Poddle enters the western section of the Park, follows its original course alongside Tymon Lane and then diverts to a new line along which a number of ornamental ponds, cascades, waterfalls and other water features were developed in the 1980s. It then disappears under the Western Parkway Motorway (M50) and emerges on the eastern section of the park.
In 1985, lakes were constructed in Tymon Park (West) utilising a former quarry site for one of the ponds. It involved the excavation and redistribution of 50,000 m3 of spoil and topsoil in order to achieve the desired contours and to construct the elevated viewing areas. There are four interconnected ponds linked by a series of sluice gates, cascades and underground channels that control and regulate the flow of water. The presence of marl (a dense clay) in the soil profile enabled water retention in the lakes without the need for an artificial liner. The environment around the lakes is enhanced by a comprehensive system of pedestrian paths and bridges and substantial tree and shrub planting making it the recreational focal point in the Park. Within two years of it’s construction the lake was supporting a resident population of Mallard Ducks.
During 1997 work began on the construction of 2.2 hectares (5.45 acres) of lakes in Tymon Park (East) near the Limekiln Road. In a Planning permission granted for a housing development at Kimmage Manor, the developer was required to pay for alleviating possible flooding problems on the Poddle River which flowed through that scheme. The only location where flood attenuation measures could be provided was in Tymon Park and an initiative was taken by the Parks Department to introduce lakes into that section of the park where the public had sought relief from what they regarded as an excessive number of playing pitches. The levies were used with other funds for the development of the three lakes and associated pathways that are now a major amenity in that section of the park.
The new development entailed the loss of four football pitches and is composed of three interconnected lakes, designed to comply with a minimum flood storage capacity of 13,000 m3. Islands were retained within the lakes to encourage the presence of wild water fowl.
Existing vegetation, including maturing woodland and hedgerows was also retained where possible. Over 100,000 cubic metres of earth were excavated and redistributed to provide the lake beds, islands and elevated viewing points, transforming a relatively flat site into a gently undulating landscape.
Sections of flax fibre bio-engineering rolls, implanted with seeds of marginal aquatic plants were placed on the lake edge and proved very efficient with other plantings in reducing localised incidences of erosion along the lake shore.
– Extracted from “Book detailing the facilities of Tymon Park, as well as the history of the park and the area.” 2001 – https://hdl.handle.net/10599/8965
Tymon Castle
Tymon Castle, situated on a ridge along Tymon Lane in South Dublin, was a notable landmark with a rich history, though now only a memory. The castle’s origins are uncertain, with theories suggesting it was built either during King John’s reign (1199-1216) or in the 15th century, a period known for constructing defensive castles along the Pale to protect against Irish clans. Positioned strategically on high ground, the castle offered a commanding view of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal location for defense.
Originally, Tymon Castle was a two-storey structure with features designed for defense, including machicolations—overhanging parapets through which defenders could drop boiling substances on attackers. It had a vaulted ceiling, a level roof, and a projection with stairs for added fortification. Despite its defensive features, the castle fell into disrepair relatively quickly. By 1547, it was described as being in a “ruinous condition,” and the lands were sold to various owners over the centuries.
In the 1770s, the castle was partially repaired and briefly inhabited by a destitute family. It remained a popular site for picnics and local visitors who admired its aged walls. During the 1798 Rebellion, the castle was noted as a significant landmark where rebels’ bodies were hung as a grim display.
By the 20th century, the castle had become a dangerous ruin, prompting its demolition in 1960. Today, the site where Tymon Castle once stood is now part of Tymon Park, which opened in 1986. The park, featuring amenities like playgrounds and sports pitches, has incorporated the old Tymon Lane but retains few visible traces of the once-prominent castle. The castle’s remains, hidden among the park’s greenery, evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.
Association with Poddle
The Poddle enters the western section of the Park, follows its original course alongside Tymon Lane at the site of the now demolished Tymon Castle. The Castle was built to defend the source of the river and protect it as a water supply. The river then diverts to a new line along which a number of ornamental ponds, cascades, waterfalls and other water features were developed in the 1980s. It then disappears under the Western Parkway Motorway (M50) and emerges on the eastern section of the park. It exits the park entering the Willington Estate meandering towards Templeville Road. In 1997, additional lakes covering 2.2 hectares (5.45 acres) were developed in Tymon Park (East) near Limekiln Road.
Photo Gallery
What the Newspapers Say
- As Tymon park was farmland until the late 1970’s there is very little information about it the newspapers.
- Tymon Castle, which survived until the 1960s was intended to defend the Poddle sources.
