7 August 2024 – The National Children’s Science Centre (NCSC) project promises to bring significant educational and cultural benefits to the community while meticulously preserving the historical and natural integrity of the Iveagh Gardens. The careful planning and consideration given to accessibility, environmental impact and heritage conservation ensure that this development will be a valuable and respectful addition to the area.
We at NCSC are excited to be the new custodians of the heritage of the North Wing of Earlsfort Terrace, a building with a great history of innovation and learning that we can't wait to enhance. We are also privileged and delighted that this building faces onto the much-beloved Iveagh Gardens.
We speak with Professor Áine Hyland, Chair of the NCSC Exhibits Advisory Committee, to discuss the impact the National Children’s Science Centre will have on the Iveagh Gardens. Her answers are supported by images.
Q1: Áine, can you give us an overview of how the NCSC will interact with the Iveagh Gardens?
Áine: Certainly. The NCSC project aims to enhance the local area by integrating science, music and nature, while respecting the heritage and historical connection of the site to Earlsfort Terrace. The building was originally designed for the 1865 International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures. The project will restore and reinforce the historical links between the Gardens and Earlsfort Terrace, opening up the Iveagh Gardens to school children and the public and resetting to the original Exhibition design. There will be no encroachment on the Iveagh Gardens.
A purpose-built extension will be constructed on the current carpark behind the North Wing of the Earlsfort Terrace buildings. This involves removing a portion of the boundary wall to the Iveagh Gardens and some adjacent structures to accommodate the new Children’s Science Centre and provide a universally accessible public entrance to the gardens. The Gardens will remain a lung for the city and now we're adding a brain. This project will create a cultural area of music and science, enriching the educational landscape of the city.
Here is an image of the site location showing the re-established link with the Iveagh Gardens and the city:
Q2: Some residents are concerned that the NCSC building will encroach upon the Iveagh Gardens. Is this true?
Áine: This is a misconception. The NCSC will be housed in the existing structure of the North Wing of Earlsfort Terrace, the original UCD campus, which will be extended. None of the new buildings will extend into the Gardens at all. This ensures that the Gardens remain untouched and preserved for public enjoyment.
Additionally, the boundary of the Iveagh Gardens will be extended to include a small store's footprint on the adjacent property. This extension will feature a new ramp, making the gardens accessible to wheelchair users and those with buggies from Earlsfort Terrace. This new entrance enhances the accessibility and inclusivity of the Gardens, making it a welcoming space for all.
Here is an image that displays how the NCSC will remain within the Earlsfort Terrace borders:
Q3: What about the planetarium (i.e. the new extension)? Will that encroach on the Iveagh Gardens?
Áine: The 122-seat Digital Planetarium will be housed in a new extension, but it will not encroach on the Iveagh Gardens. The NCSC site will comprise the renovated North Wing with the new extension built at the back, incorporating the state-of-the-art planetarium, which will allow visitors to embark on virtual journeys and explore many scientific wonders.
Additionally, a tunnel will link this main building with the old UCD Engineering Laboratory, which will also be fully renovated to house temporary and traveling exhibitions. The planetarium will serve as a key feature of our cultural hub, combining music and science to inspire visitors.
Here is an image of the location of the new extension:
Q4: There have been concerns about the construction of visually insensitive concrete ramps in the park. Can you address this?
Áine: There are no plans for concrete ramps within the Iveagh Gardens. Instead, stone-clad ramps will be used for wheelchair access. These ramps will be located on land currently occupied by a single-storey flat roof structure accessed from the Department of Foreign Affairs building. This design ensures that the Gardens remain aesthetically pleasing while becoming universally accessible, aligning with our ambition to making the Gardens welcoming for everyone, including school children, families, and individuals with mobility challenges.
Q5: Will any important trees be felled as part of this project?
Áine: A small number of self-seeded trees will be removed (less than five), but these trees are not of historical significance or high quality. A thorough tree survey was conducted as part of the planning process and any tree removal complies with good conservation and ecological practices. New trees will also be planted to maintain the integrity and history of the Gardens.
It is important to note that the Iveagh Gardens contain more than 300 trees. Specifically, to facilitate this construction, one Category A London Plane tree that overhangs the wall will be removed, and a Category C Horse Chestnut tree will be added to the gardens. Several self-seeded saplings and ground cover will be removed, with replacement ground cover planted as part of the works. Historically, this area served as the Principal Terrace of the gardens in 1865, which was later planted with pine trees and covered with ivy and laurel. The new soft landscaping will honour the current informal planting while improving access and providing a fitting entrance to the Iveagh Gardens from the significant public institutions on Earlsfort Terrace.
Here is Extract from the of An Bord Pleanála inspector's report which is available on the ABP website:
“…four trees only are to be removed to facilitate the development (1 no. category A London Plane and 3 no. category C). The partial removal of the understory of a further two trees will be caried out to facilitate the new public realm works but should not impact the health of the trees. The first party also set out that subsequent to the previous planning application (DCC Reg. Ref. 2362/16/ ABP PL29S.246621) much consideration was given to reduce the extent of hard landscaping and reduce the number of trees to be removed and the design has been informed by arboriculture advice. As regards the loss of the mature London Plane, I note the Arboriculture Report states that the loss will not have a significant visual impact on the wider landscape character as the surrounding mature trees will all be retained, and the removal of the low-quality trees will have a negligible impact. While it is regrettable that any tree should be lost, I do not consider the loss of four trees to be considerable in light of the scale of the development. Subject to compliance with the recommendations imbedded in the Arboriculture Report including supervision of works, I am satisfied that the development is acceptable.”
Q6: There are concerns about demolishing a wall that is essential to the original plans of the Gardens. What can you tell us about this?
Áine: The wall in question is a later addition and not part of the original 1865 design. Only a small portion will be demolished to improve physical and visual access to the Gardens. This change will restore the original relationship between the Great Exhibition Hall and the Gardens, in line with the historical design intentions. By re-establishing this link, we are honouring the original Exhibition design and making the Gardens more accessible to the public, especially children.
Here is the first mapped record of the new boundary wall between the gardens and exhibition building, which was erected in the early 20th century, 50 years after the original plans were implemented:
The next image displays the small section of wall that will need to be demolished to re-establish the link between the site and the Iveagh gardens. It is the part of the wall between the two red arrows:
With regard to the current plans for the demolition of a small part of the wall, the NCSC is very aware of and sensitive to the importance of our city habitats. We are confident that the Office of Public Works (OPW) will handle this demolition with the utmost care, ensuring that the integrity of the Iveagh Gardens is maintained. Here is Extract from the of An Bord Pleanála inspector's report which is available on the ABP website:
“The boundary wall was constructed after the National Concert Hall buildings were sold to the Commission of Public Works in 1882 and the garden retained for private use by Edward Cecil Guinness The proposed removal of c.52m length of the stone boundary wall to facilitate the construction of the four-storey-over-basement NCSC positioned directly on the boundary is a significant intervention that will have an impact on the established ‘secret’ setting of the Iveagh Gardens.”
Importantly the report concludes:
“7.3.17. However, whilst the proposed design does not attempt to disguise the extension and make it appear to belong to the historic fabric and whilst the loss of c.52m of boundary wall is regrettable, the position of the new extension and the landscaping screening will ensure the sense of enclosure associated with the Iveagh Gardens is retained. I am satisfied that the removal of the workshop and a portion of the boundary wall will help re-establish the link between the Iveagh Gardens and Earlsfort Terrace and enable the gardens, the NCH complex and the Children's Science Museum to be experienced together as was the original site strategy”.
Q7: What do of An Bord Pleanála have to say about the development with regards to the Iveagh Gardens
Áine: An Bord Pleanála states that no green space will be removed, and the historical connection between the site and the Iveagh Gardens will be restored. Here is an extract from the of report of An Bord Pleanála inspector which is available on the ABP website:
"The proposed development is not removing any green space and is restoring an historical connection between the site and the Iveagh Gardens. The overall size of the Iveagh Gardens will not be reduced as a result of the proposed development and therefore there will be no loss of amenity or impact on existing park users as a result of the development, a concern also raised in the appeals. I note also that section 3.2.2 Habitats of the AA Screening report states that the habitats on site are of low ecological value. Therefore, I conclude that the proposed development will not result in significant effects on biodiversity."
Our partners in the OPW are extremely aware of the importance of biodiverse environments and the importance of maintaining and protecting all ecosystems. They will take great care in their landscaping to minimise any disruption and will take great care of all the habitats that have developed over time.
Q8: What impact will the project have on the natural habitats within the Gardens?
Áine: Our project does not extend into the Gardens. The OPW has conducted comprehensive wildlife surveys to ensure that no habitats are disturbed. The small amount of landscaping and tree removal will be carefully managed to respect and preserve the existing natural habitats. By opening up the Iveagh Gardens to school children and the public and resetting to the original Exhibition design, we are confident that the project will enhance both the accessibility and educational value of the Gardens without compromising their natural beauty.
Q9: How will the new entrance improve accessibility to the Iveagh Gardens?
Áine: The new entrance will be created by extending the current boundary of the Iveagh Gardens onto a small footprint of adjacent property. This will provide a ramp for wheelchair users and buggies, making the Gardens accessible from Earlsfort Terrace for the first time. This improved access is part of a greater ambition to make the Gardens inclusive and accessible for all.
Q10: Can you talk about the historical links between the Gardens and Earlsfort Terrace?
Áine: The original design from 1865 clearly shows the original intention and relationship between the Great Exhibition Hall and the Gardens, and how the crescent shape, which still exists at the end of the gardens, responds to the building. A tiny area on the boundary, stretching over just a few metres will be simply and sympathetically resurfaced and carefully landscaped to reconnect the buildings with the Gardens as was the original intention of the initial design.
Here are the original designs from 1863 displaying the link between the exhibition building and the gardens:
Q11: What are the key benefits of this project for the local community and visitors?
Áine: The NCSC will provide a state-of-the-art educational facility that fosters innovation and learning. By respecting the historical and ecological aspects of the Iveagh Gardens, we are ensuring that this project enhances the local area without compromising its heritage. This centre will make science accessible to the children of Ireland, inspiring a new generation of innovators and thinkers. I have no doubt that the centre will create unparalleled opportunities for educational engagement and community enrichment. The restored connection to Earlsfort Terrace will enrich the experience for visitors, blending science, culture and nature in a harmonious way.
Q12: Finally, how can the public stay informed or voice any additional concerns about this project?
Áine: We encourage the public to visit our contact page for any questions or concerns. We are committed to transparency and are more than happy to address any issues to ensure that this project benefits everyone while preserving the integrity of the Iveagh Gardens.
About Professor Áine Hyland, Educator and Advisor to the NCSC Board and Chair of the Exhibits Committee.
Áine is Emeritus Professor of Education and former Vice-President of University College Cork. She has chaired and been a member of many educational boards and committees during the past forty years. In recognition of her contribution to Irish education, she has been awarded honorary degrees by University College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the National College of Ireland. She was elected as a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2018.
