SOME CLAIM THAT OSCAR SQUARE FEATURING A MARIAN STATUE WAS NAMED IN HONOUR OF OSCAR WILDE [WRONG OSCAR]-248647

            The small urban green space, now commonly known as Oscar Square Park, has a history that intertwines mythology, wartime necessity, and evolving community identity. While it is often mistakenly claimed that the square is named in honour of Oscar Wilde, evidence strongly suggests its namesake is Oscar, son of Oisín, a figure from Irish mythology.

Oscar, son of Oisín, is a prominent character within the Fenian Cycle. As the son of Oisín and grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill, he is celebrated for his bravery and strength as one of the fianna, an elite band of warriors. The location of Oscar Square within the Tenters estate provides crucial context. The Tenters, one of the first public housing schemes built by the Irish State post-independence (1922-1924), reflects a period of national identity formation. During this time, it was common to commemorate figures from Irish heritage in the naming of public spaces.

Further supporting this theory is the pattern of naming nearby roads. Clarence Mangan Road honours the poet James Clarence Mangan, while O’Carolan Road commemorates the harpist Turlough O'Carolan. These literary and musical associations reinforce the likelihood that Oscar Square, following this pattern, is also named after a figure from Irish culture – the mythological Oscar.

Despite Oscar Wilde's strong Dublin connections – born in the city in 1854, attending Trinity College, and having a prominent memorial in Merrion Square – the claim that Oscar Square is named after him is likely erroneous. The historical context of the Tenters estate, and the naming of adjacent roads, points towards the mythological Oscar.

The square's history also includes a period as Rosary Park. According to a local resident, as recently as December 2020, the space was still known by this name, and was traditionally closed to the public except on Sundays. This suggests a gradual shift in common usage or a formal name change, possibly reflecting a move towards emphasising Irish cultural figures.

Furthermore, research confirms the presence of World War II trench shelters in Oscar Square during "The Emergency." Historical records and local accounts corroborate this, with one resident recalling the entrance to a shelter located at the park's steps. This aligns with the wider context of Dublin's Air Raid Precautions (ARP) efforts.

Finally, the square's shape has been a point of contention. While often referred to as a "square," local publications describe it as a "triangular patch of green." This discrepancy may reflect a change in the park's physical layout or a broader interpretation of the term "square" to refer to the urban area rather than the precise geometric form.

In conclusion, Oscar Square Park, despite its name, is not definitively square, and its namesake is more likely the mythological Oscar, son of Oisín, rather than Oscar Wilde. Its history reflects the cultural and wartime experiences of the surrounding community, transitioning from Rosary Park to its current designation, and containing wartime shelters, all while being a point of minor geometric confusion.

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Taken in: Ireland / Leinster / Warrenmount (show map)

Taken on: March 11, 2025

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ARP

Air Raid Precautions

Dublin street names

FX30

Fenian Cycle

Infomatique

Irish cultural heritage

Irish mythology

March 2024

Oscar Square Park

Oscar Wilde

Oscar son of Oisín

Photonique

Rosary Park.Clarence Mangan

Sony

The Tenters estate

Turlough O'Carolan

Urban green spaces

William Murphy

World War II bomb shelters

Dublin

Ireland « less

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