ULSARA 2020 newsletter

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2020

Your neighbours are here to help

Inside Volunteers come together under Supportive comments.
ULSARA’s umbrella to offer
The Grove assistance to vulnerable members On Easter Sunday the group received
of the local community during the a text message: “To the terrific
Encouraging Biodiversity Covid 19 virus pandemic. Volunteers- Happy Easter. Thank you
for giving us the security of knowing
Graffiti Clean Up Report In March, as the virus took an that there are people out there willing
increasingly strong grip in Ireland, a to help us if we need something.”
ULSARA: discussion began within the ULSARA
The Next 50 Years committee. What should be done in Another member wrote to the chair
our community? of the Association:
Grand Canal Volunteers
A small group of volunteers including “A massive thank you to all at
ULSARA AGM committee members and others ULSARA, who thought of the idea,
quickly emerged – willing to help those who sourced the information,
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 neighbours with practical things assembled it, printed and delivered
restrictions we have had to like shopping, running errands and such a reassuring and informative
postpone our Annual General picking up prescriptions. message.
Meeting. It will be rescheduled
when it is safe to do so. A dedicated phone line and email When this is all over, hopefully all
address were set up and ULSARA the residents can get together to
printed a leaflet that was distributed celebrate and thank all the people
to all 1,500 homes in our area over who have supported the community
the first weekend in April. The through such an event.
initiative was mirrored in many
communities across Ireland at the It is nice to know others like us in
time. the district have all the back up and
reassurance that your circular gives.”
Since then the volunteer team has
assisted with a range of requests Thanks
from local residents following the
government advice that they should Thanks to Fiona Slevin of the
self-isolate or “cocoon”. We were ULSARA committee for the original
initiative, to Pat Murray and Tony
happy to respond to those who Fox also of the committee, to Simon
needed our help several times Nugent, to the Clarke family of
over the period of lock-down as Northbrook Road and all the other
volunteers who stepped forward.
well as others who only sought
assistance on one or two occasions. As this ULSARA newsletter goes
to press, lockdown is gradually being
Great response from volunteers lifted and fewer members of the
community may need the support
It was particularly encouraging to of the volunteer team. However,
see the number of members of the we remain available to help anyone
local community who came forward who has to self-isolate for whatever
offering to help having either seen reason.
the leaflet or read about the initiative
on the ULSARA website. In fact, we Support is still available
were contacted by more people Contact details:
volunteering time or other support Text or call: 085 177 7644
than those who needed assistance. Email: [email protected]
A signal that bodes well for our
community.

P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge Dublin 4. www.ulsara.ie ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020 1

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Chairman’s message WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF OUR NEWSLETTER

Carmen Neary In the past, we have often been Heytesbury Lane, Pembroke Park,
ULSARA Chairman encouraged to ‘Shop Local’ so that Pembroke Lane, Raglan Road, Raglan
neighbourhood traders remain viable. Lane, Warner’s Lane, Waterloo Lane,
It would be impossible to imagine The Covid-19 pandemic certainly Waterloo Road, Wellington Place,
the changes that have overtaken highlighted just how important our Wellington Lane and Wellington Road.
our world since the beginning of local stores are, when our travel
2020. The Coronavirus pandemic has was restricted. We must continue Our aims
caused widespread loss of life, fear, to support them, to show our
anxiety and concern for the future appreciation for their willingness The primary aim of the Association
of our planet, our health and our to go the extra mile to help the is to promote the conservation
economy. community by organising deliveries to and preservation of the residential
those unable to visit their shops. Their character and amenities of the
Although it may seem that there can viability depends on the support of neighbourhood, including the
be no positive outcomes from such the local community. maintenance of green spaces, as
a worldwide crisis, the enormous well as the distinctive Georgian and
goodwill displayed by all sections I imagine that, unfortunately, the Victorian architectural features of this
of the community throughout our world will revert to the normal rat- area of Dublin, and to encourage the
country, creates a feeling of optimism. race in time, but we should not forget development of community life in
the kindness and consideration shown the area.
Our front line workers in every area in our time of need by everyone. It is
of endeavour, risked their health the wonderful sense that we are there Acknowledgements
and welfare to tend to the needs of for each other that restores our faith
others. The concern for the welfare in humanity. ULSARA acknowledges with thanks
of neighbours, shown by keeping in the support of Dublin City Council
touch, and attending to any shopping Who we are (Community Grant Scheme) toward
or other needs created a great sense the publication of this and previous
of community and a feeling that help The Upper Leeson Street Area Newsletters.
is only a phone call away. Residents’ Association was founded
in 1968. The Association draws its Newsletter printed, most generously at
Families organised entertainment that members from the catchment area of a reduced cost, by Simon Hederman.
could be shared over the internet; streets, lanes, and squares adjacent
art exhibitions for the children, table to Upper Leeson Street, which Garden Level,
quizzes for all the family, exchanging extends south from the Grand Canal 92 Upper Leeson Street
ideas to help keep the children busy in Dublin City. Dublin D04 A5V2
and improving morale for everyone. www.hederman.ie
Situated in or near Ranelagh and
The necessity to work from home, Ballsbridge, these include Appian
while not always ideal, did give Way, Dartmouth Square, Leeson
families an opportunity to enjoy Park, Northbrook Road, Leeson Park
each others company in a way that Avenue, Clyde Lane, Elgin Road,
would not normally be possible. It
might be that, in the future, working Mespil Road Pembroke Baggot Street Upper
from home could be an option for
some people, resulting in less time Place
spent commuting and possibly a less
frenetic lifestyle. GranDdarStPmqauoraaurdtehe Pembroke Lane Pembroke Road

The current restriction in air travel has NorthbroNoorkthbRroooakedLane.LeesoSnusSsterxeReotaUd ppLeiLtretoensoHnaPllark WatBerulrloinogLtaonneRoad Elgin Road
resulted in a reduction in pollution, Waterloo Road ClydCelRydoeadLane
even if temporarily, and the pleasure Northbrooke Ave.
of being able to hear the birdsong, Heytesbury Lane HerPbaerrkt
loud and clear, when not competing Wellington Road
against traffic noise is so uplifting. Raglan Lane
Raglan Road
Wellington Lane
Appian Way
Wellington
Place
SwLeeasonn PrairkvAevernue Pembroke Park
Ranelagh Morehampton
Gardens
ChelmAvsefonrude
Ranelagh Road Chelmsford RoadSallymount Avenue Road

2 ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

The Grove, Kathleen Goodfellow and the Urban Wildlife of Dublin 4

The Grove
Morehampton Road

If there is anything that these strange days have asked happens in the blink of an eye. The birdfeeders that
us to reconsider it is the riches that lie on our doorstep. we hang in sight of our kitchen windows are bread and
Wildlife and the vernal energies of springtime have butter to these small, elusive raptors, as are feral pigeons
become one of the great consolations of life under waddling about on pavements and verges. For those
lockdown. There was no longer traffic to invade the song who might find the idea of a hawk catching little birds
of wrens, blackbirds or blackcaps. A fox trotting about at distressing, I would urge you to consider that two-thirds
dusk was the most activity you might have seen on the of young hawks perish in their first winter. The odds are
streets for days. Silver Holly Blue butterflies emerged a actually weighed against them.
couple of weeks into restrictions like tiny celebrations.
When I began reading up about Kathleen Goodfellow,
Whether by car, bus or on foot, I have passed the the integrity of her wish to preserve the Grove, and her
Grove on Morehampton Road numberless times deep friendship with artist Estella Solomons, I began to
throughout my life growing up in Dublin 6 and later see that the Grove was more than just a walled island
Dublin 4. I would acknowledge the large resplendent of woodland wedged between busy thoroughfares.
gates and air of leafy mystery it gave off without ever There seems an almost sacred quality about it, not only
committing to a closer look, content in some arbitrary because of its lush ecosystem but also the spirits of art,
knowledge that whatever was going on inside was under revolution, and literature that would have spent time
lock and key for a good reason. there as guests of Goodfellow before her death in 1980.

But when I began writing about my passion for urban I have been writing about the urban wildlife of Dublin
nature and the gift of birdlife that lives right through the 4 for many months and the Grove has now become a
very make-up of this incredible city, the Grove came to chapter in itself. I want to not only talk about what lives
emit a strong energy for two reasons. Firstly, it is situated there, but also the foresight of Ms Goodfellow and the
right near my home on Waterloo Lane and became part example she provides today when our exploitation of
of my daily pre-dawn walk during the tightest 2km-phase the natural world is accelerating towards catastrophe.
of lockdown. Secondly, I discovered there a resident pair As part of this, I am eager to speak to those who knew
of one of my favourite birds – the sparrowhawk. her on any level whatsoever, from passing acquaintance
to friend. My hope is that I may grasp some small part of
Natural and social histories belong side-by-side, I believe. her essence and commit it to written word so that she
Not only is the footprint of man too insistent to ignore may become a beacon of early Dublin environmentalism.
in any discussion of the natural world (depressingly so,
in many cases) but nature is not diametrically opposed If anybody has any memories or first-hand information
to urban life. It fits in around it, finds the opportunities, whatsoever about Ms Goodfellow, the Grove or Estella
and exploits whatever it can. The sparrowhawk is our Solomons, please do not hesitate to contact me on 085
commonest bird of prey and every back garden in the 1340476 or [email protected].
country probably has one passing through each day
as part of its hunting route. We miss them because it Hilary White

ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020 3

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Extract from Gardening for Biodiversity, written by Juanita Browne and illustrated by Barry Reynolds.
This guide was funded by The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht through the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund,
with support from the Heritage Council and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network. To request a hardcopy of the full booklet email [email protected]

Biodiversity-friendly management tips

Don’t use pesticides

The rule is simple: If you avoid using chemicals, your garden will be much
more biodiversity-friendly. ‘Pesticides’ include herbicides, fungicides
and insecticides.

Remember: the insects and slugs, which you may be trying to kill, do feed

important food sources for pollinating insects, and other insects too, which
form the basis of the food chains in your wildlife garden.

Make your own compost Conserve water Make your own leaf mould

As well as being a way to recycle Installing a water butt recycles Make a wire cage in a corner of
your garden and kitchen waste and rainwater for your garden. This your garden to create leaf mould.
giving you a rich substrate for your can also be used to top up the bird Leaf mould is formed from decaying
plants, a compost heap o ers an bath, bog garden or pond when leaves and is a great conditioner for
important site where invertebrates necessary.
can live and breed. fallen leaves and needles in autumn.
This is also a great way to provide a
home for lots of soil and leaf litter
biodiversity.

Only buy peat-free compost

the world. We have now reduced our peatlands to less than 10% of what once
existed across the midlands. By choosing peat-free compost, you will help to
conserve our remaining peat bogs and their unique biodiversity, including

composted wood, composted green waste, and leaf mould. Always look for
a ‘peat-free’ label rather than simply ‘organic’ as these may still contain peat.
If there are none available, why not ask the store manager to stock peat-free
compost. Customers can make this change happen!

You may be tempted to use slug pellets to foil snails and slugs, but these can be very
harmful to birds and mammals, such as hedgehogs who prey on the slugs and
snails that consume them. Instead, you could try a beer trap or copper wire.

and snails who don’t like moving over copper.

they do provide food for hedgehogs and many birds and amphibians.

4 ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dawn Chorus Graffiti Control

in Dartmouth Square Report 2020

In the early hours of Sunday, 24th April last year, the gates of Dartmouth Five years ago, in response to
Square were opened to receive about eighty “early birds” who had a profusion of unsightly graffiti,
left their warm beds to join environmentalist, Éanna Ní Lamhna to ULSARA became active in graffiti
experience the Dawn Chorus. control. With the support of Dublin
City Council, we began cleaning and
Éanna welcomed the group and took them on a stroll through the overpainting all graffiti on public
Square. She explained that the Robin is the first one to start singing. utility structures such as ESB boxes
Because they have larger eyes, letting in more light, they are the first and transformers, An Post Boxes,
ones awake. Their song is their welcome to a new day. The way Eanna Litter Bins, Parking Ticket Machines
explained it- in her inimitable way, they are saying to their Robin friends, and Lamp Standards. DCC provided
I am alive and awake; how are you? Soon the Blackbird and the Thrush the appropriate green, grey and black
joined in, and Eanna kept us all entertained with stories of how the birds paint and we provided the muscle!
build their nests and set out to attract a mate. An hour or so after the
Robin started the day, other birds such as the Great Tit, Chiffchaff and
Blue Tit came to join the party, contributing their unique sound to a
wonderful Dawn Chorus.

The sound of their singing is continuous from the beginning, with
different birds joining in over the course of the early morning. It’s
almost as if they hand over the job to new comers as the first songs are
replaced by more and different sounds.

As dawn broke the “early birds” were delighted to see that ULSARA
volunteers had laid out a delicious cooked breakfast for them. Everyone
stood together chatting and discussing the experience. The event was a
great success and will certainly be repeated when Covid 19 restrictions
are lifted.

We are very grateful to Dublin City Council who co-sponsored the event
with ULSARA.

Dawn breaking over Dartmouth Square Time for breakfast Tackling Graffiti

ULSARA members Geraldine O’Connell Cusack and Initially our graffiti patrols took place
Sharen McCabe at the Dawn Chorus breakfast every two months and became less
frequent as the problem was brought
under control. Between patrols we do
cycling surveys on a monthly basis.
Feedback from passers-by and local
residents has always been positive
and appreciative. Our hard work was
recognised in 2017 with an award from
Dublin City Council.

We have noted that graffiti on private
properties has much reduced due to
eradication actions by their owners.
Generally we are cautiously optimistic
that the improved low level of graffiti
in our area can be maintained.

Covid 19 restrictions have placed our
patrols on hold but we are ready to
resume when it is safe to do so.

ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020 5

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

ULSARA, the next 50 years

The committee had enjoyed regulations and directives. We All of this was reinforced with
celebrating the many achievements discussed housing, and the future the arrival of Covid-19 and the
of Ulsara on its 50th anniversary of urban planning, the impact of restrictions it placed on individuals
in 2018, and we were particularly demographic changes, and emergent and movement. It felt right that
pleased with members’ response models of living and working. We ULSARA members should come
to the publication of our book, also considered some of the building together and offer a neighbourly
Preserving Heritage, Cherishing and environmental issues around hand to those who could not do their
Community. the housing stock in our area, normal shopping and other errands.
including preservation, maintenance,
As we moved past our landmark conversion and retrospective Looking back, it seems prescient
50th anniversary, the Ulsara insulation. We know environmental that the title of our 50th anniversary
committee felt it appropriate to think concerns will gain significant focus book was Preserving Heritage,
about the next 50 years. We began in the future and we need to be Cherishing Community. It feels right
2020 full of energy and ambition and mindful of a range of issues including that we should continue to look
held a strategy session in February. flooding, public spaces, air quality, after our heritage; it feels even more
It was attended by current and past trees and planting and our built right that we should help create a
committee members and facilitated heritage. new future by helping to build and
by a professional strategy consultant. cherish community.
Through all of these issues, one
Our goal was to: 1, check our overriding theme stood out:
relevance to residents; 2, review and Community. The whole ULSARA
redefine our purpose; 3, identify community: residents, workers,
the initiatives and activities that short-term renters and long-time
will enable us to achieve our goals residents. We feel it is now more
in 2020 – 2022. There was some important than ever to foster a sense
debate and much consensus on the of place and encourage physical
issues and threats facing Dublin, community spaces. We know people
the ULSARA area and our residents. feel more a sense of community
Planning will always be an issue for when they have sense of place and
us, especially office development where neighbours look out for each
and enforcement of planning other and help one another.

Communicating ULSARA

Newsletter

This newsletter has long been an important annual record of the association’s activities. The committee aims to
continue to publish it and to deliver it throughout the area.

Twitter @ulsaradublin

Follow us on Twitter (@ULSARAdublin) for regular and immediate news and updates. Tweets are also posted on our
website at www.ULSARA.ie.

Members’ E-News

The members who keep the association going through their annual subscriptions are very much appreciated. Regular
updates are now issued via email newsletter and online surveys are used to gather views on current issues. We avoid
inundating members with messages and endeavour to get the balance right in terms of email volume.

Please sign up for our e-newsletter on www.ulsara.ie. If, on the other hand, you would rather not receive email
communication from us, please click ‘Unsubscribe’ on any of our emails.

Website www.ulsara.ie

Please check www.ULSARA.ie for local information and up-to-date news on ULSARA activities. The site includes links
to Dublin City Council services including Property Flood Protection and Planning Applications, further articles on the
local area, and an archive of newsletters dating back to the 1980s.

6 ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Book News

St. Bartholomew’s - A History of the Dublin Parish - Kenneth Milne and Alistair Rowan

St. Bartholomew’s Church on Clyde had saints in stained glass and a commissioned
Road, one of the four churches painting of the Virgin on the chancel photographs
within the ULSARA area, has recently wall! All rows from a distant past by Andrew
published an illustrated history of perhaps, but the vibrant expression Sheridan,
the parish from its foundation in of Christian faith blossoming in the whose
1863 down to the present day. The interior - on painted walls, in stained- meticulous
book goes far beyond the limits of glass windows and on mosaic floors and luminous
most parish histories because St. - make the building unique. images catch
Bartholomew’s has always been an The history, written jointly by the quality of
exceptional church. Kenneth Milne and Alistair Rowan, the place in a
Founded to provide an up- celebrates the character and quite special
to-date place of worship for contribution of the different vicars, way.
the predominantly Protestant the designs for the building by
community, which inhabited the big T.H.Wyatt and T.M.Deane, and all of ISBN: 978-1-
Victorian houses of the Pembroke the art which it contains. So often 909442-05-4
estate, the church immediately the content of the art in a church is
became famous – perhaps infamous left unexplored; here it is examined Price €30
is a better word – for the High and explained and it is really well
Anglican character of its liturgy. It illustrated in a series of specially Available from the publisher, Hinds,
at www.hinds.ie, and [email protected]

Also Hampton Books, 93A Morehampton Road,
Donnybrook, and from the Church Office at St.
Bartholomew’s, Clyde Road.

Jeremy Williams One of a Kind - Dermot Scott

Jeremy Daniel Williams (1943–2015) notebooks now deposited in the Jeremy Williams One of a Kind JerOenme yofWa Killiniadms
led a life packed with incident, effort
and fun. What became obvious to his Irish ArchitectuTral Archive.aInlludsptretHarrtisEeboSdunEbtaeyFliItthFyoiTsotEsfhEkteNehtaicscrhotreiemssmta,mnahredikmspatobohrlroeaitatoiinnvgderaainpvpidihedscua,eratscol.hbgyiettefhrceiternJtehdrese,ymfcayampWtiluyirlealintahdmecspor(lo1le9tae4ga3nu-2ess0p1pir5ai)ty. Edited by D E R M O T S C O T T
friends was the depth of his learning,
whether of architecture, European darina allen
history, genealogy, music or john boorman
literature. All of this was the product
of a prodigious appetite for people, His other great gift was foralfred cochrane
buildings and art. rose mary craig

Light and airy sketches and drawings friendship. His clients becamenicola gordon bowe
flew from his pen, but the sheer renagh holohan valerie pakenham
extent of his imagination, learning, jochem jourdan johnny ronan
travel and contacts is to be found brian leonard dermot scott
in the fifty-six boxes of his martin mooney johnny williams
david o’grady david willis

his friends and patrons, and it Edited by D E R M O T S C O T T

is through their generosity and

kindness that Jeremy managed to

survive and to share with us the

remarkable range of his talents.www.lilliputpress.ie
ISBN 978-1-84351-779-5

Fifteen commemorative pieces by9 781843 517795THE LILLIPUT
62-63 SDLiturIbiLcliLnRIo7Pa, dIUr,eATlarnbdPouRrEHSilSl,

friends, family and colleagues pay

tribute to this one-of-a-kind artist,

historian and architect.

Price €20 from bookshops.

Grand Canal Clean Up

Who cleans the Grand Canal? Who fishes that scourge of discarded drinks Volunteers
cans, coffee cups, plastic bags, glasses, lunch boxes, newspapers, paper cleaning up the
napkins, and loaded trash bags out of the flowing water every month? And
who collects the empty burger buckets and fast food drinks from under and Grand Canal
over the Grand Canal benches?
ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020
A growing number of volunteers meet on the first Saturday of every month
at 10.00 am at Leeson Street Bridge. There, their team leader Phil dispenses
hi-vis vests, litter pickers, gloves, and trash bags. The volunteers - mums and
dads and their children, men and women, young and old, then head off for
Harold’s Cross Bridge and the Docklands where their clean up begins. Scores
of litter bags are filled with the trash so carelessly dumped by passers-by
into the waters and onto the footpaths. After two hours’ work, the team
returns to Leeson Street Bridge for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, a biscuit
or two and a chat. Are you tempted? No need to sign up or commit. Come to
our Grand Canal Clean-up whenever you can and do whatever you can. Your
reward will be a warm sense of having done your bit to make Dublin City a
cleaner and friendlier place in which to live.

Further information is available at www.fotgc.ie

7

THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

ULSARA (Upper Leeson Street Area Residents’ Association)

Membership Form & Annual subscription

ULSARA’s work is all done on a Payment Options
voluntary basis and we rely on the You may pay by cheque, standing order or PayPal
generous support of the resident (including credit and debit cards).
membership for our continued
effectiveness. Your annual subscriptions Paypal/Card
are the Association’s lifesblood. To pay via PayPal or credit/debit card, go to www.
ulsara.ie, click on the Membership tab, and select to
I support the aims of ULSARA to maintain the pay by PayPal.
residential zoning, character and amenities of the area.
Name (block letters): Cheque
Please make your cheque payable to ‘Upper
Address:
Leeson St Residents Association (ULSARA)’

Family €45 Single €30 Other



Tick as appropriate send to:

PO Box 8411, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Standing Order:
Please copy this form and send to your bank.

To the Manager, (Bank and branch)

Telephone: Date: / /

Email: I/We hereby authorise and request you to
debit my/our account:
Signed: NNaammee: :

I consent to my email address being used Account No:
to send me occasional newsletters and
other news relating to ULSARA activities Sort Code:
and events. The sum of €45/€30/Other (write in words)
Unless you give us permission by ticking the
above box, we will only use your details to And pay to:
contact you about your membership. We Bank of Ireland, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
will never pass your contact details to a A/C number 10260754, sort code 90-01-72
third party. BIC: BOFIIE2D
You may change your mind at any time by IBAN: IE68 BOFI 9001 7210 2607 54
unsubscribing from any email or by emailing Annually, beginning on the 1st day
[email protected] with ‘No Email’ in the
subject line. of [month] [year].

Signed:

8 ULSARA NEWS Summer 2020 P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge Dublin 4. www.ulsara.ie