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CONSTITUTION HILL

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Some claim that if I leave by my Front Door I am in D1 and if I use the back Door I am in Dublin 7. This actually caused some issues in the past but my Eircode is now D01. It would appear that the buildings are considered to be in D1 while the park gate gates are considered to be in D7.

The Temple of Dublin 1: History, Nature, and the "Hungry Tree"

Nestled at the top of Henrietta Street, where the historic grandeur of Dublin 1 meets the vibrant edge of Dublin 7, lies one of the city’s most atmospheric public spaces. Known formally as the grounds of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, this park is a masterclass in architectural silence, urban nature, and local folklore.

** A Tale of Two Cities: The Postal Divide**

For those living on or off Henrietta Street, the park is a literal borderland. While the street itself and the formal entrance to the King's Inns carry the D01 postcode, the parkland stretches westward into Dublin 7. The "dividing line" runs roughly along the western edge of the James Gandon-designed buildings.
Despite its proximity to the hustle of the North Inner City, the park offers a rare quiet. Residents are often woken by birdsong rather than traffic, a peace bought by the removal of the old "rat runs" that once saw stolen cars shortcutting through Henrietta Place. Howevr, drugs dealing is common day and night.

The "Hungry Tree": A Heritage Landmark

The park’s most famous resident is a botanical anomaly known as the Hungry Tree. This 80-year-old London Plane (Platanus × hispanica) has gained international fame for its slow-motion "consumption" of a 19th-century cast-iron bench.
The Sight: Over decades, the tree's trunk has spilled over the backrest of the bench, effectively absorbing the metal into its bark.

The Status: Recognised by the Tree Council of Ireland as a "Heritage Tree," it stands as a symbol of nature’s quiet persistence over man-made structures. It remains a magnet for photographers, tourists, and local children alike.

Why Locals Call it "The Temple"

If you ask a tourist for directions to the "Honorable Society," they’ll check their map. If you ask a local child where they are going, they’ll simply say, "The Temple."
This local shorthand is a linguistic handshake between residents of the North Inner City. The name likely stems from several sources:
Legal Tradition: Dublin’s King’s Inns was modelled on the Inns of Court in London (specifically the Inner and Middle Temple).
Architecture: With its classical cupola, pediments, and Doric columns, the building resembles a Greek or Roman temple overlooking Constitution Hill.
Geography: The nearby Temple Cottages and Temple Street (West) have reinforced the name in the local vernacular for generations.

A Sanctuary for Dogs and Neighbours

While the area is sometimes unfairly labelled as "rough" by those across the Liffey, the park remains a vital social hub. Its fenced-in, off-leash areas make it a premier destination for Dublin’s dog owners.

The presence of "the regulars"—a tight-knit community of dog walkers—provides an informal "eyes on the street" security. It creates a space where the heavy history of No. 14 Henrietta Street (the nearby tenement museum) meets the living, breathing community of today.

Photography Tips for the Area

The Hungry Tree: Best captured in the soft light of a Dublin morning when the shadows of the ironwork are most defined against the bark.
The Long View: Stand at the top of Henrietta Street to capture the contrast between the red-brick Georgian terraces and the grey, "temple-like" stone of the Inns.
The Detail: Look for the "Honorable" spelling on the Society’s signage—a rare linguistic fossil of 16th-century orthography preserved in the heart of modern Dublin.

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