The area that comprises Waterstown Park was, until the mid-1980s, a family farm. In 1990, it was acquired by South Dublin County Council who began to develop and landscape the site. One of the first tasks was to vent a grass-covered dump that was leaking highly flammable methane gas. Concurrently, large numbers of trees, two thirds of which were native Irish, were planted. The initial plantations of Alnus glutinosa (Alder), Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut), and Acer species (Maple) did not survive and were later replaced by Corylus avellana (Hazel), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) andPrunus padus (Bird Cherry). In addition, the Council constructed paths; a circular cycling track; and a car park, which is shared with the adjoining Stewarts Hospital. The Park was opened officially in 2009 and, as well as being a significant amenity for the local population, provides access to other areas of the Liffey Valley.
The Park is covered by the Liffey Valley Special Amenity Area Order and is one of the most ecologically important parks in Dublin. It consists of eight distinct habitats, including woodland, wet grassland, and mature hedgerows; and is home to 300 species of plants, animals, birds, and insects. Among the latter, the rare Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album). In 1991, members of the DNFC surveyed the area and made a number of recommendations. Unfortunately, many of the these have not been implemented.
Shane began the outing with an introduction to the history of the immediate environs. In pre-Christian times Yew Trees (Taxus baccata) in the locality were associated with pagan rituals, and centuries later Viking Longships plied the Liffey on their way to Leixlip. In the 18th century, a number of mills for printing and iron works, and for other products such as dyestuffs, were situated here on the riverside at Palmerstown. These were powered by a millrace, parts of which still exist, and which supports colonies of the rare Flowering Rush Butomus umbellatus and many aquatic plants.
This cache is located along the path between the river Liffey and the old mill race.
Cache is a 50ml tube, BYOP