Postgraduate Researchers

PhD Research Student - School of Media

Project title A Design History of Irish Playgrounds from 1933 to present 

Project Abstract

In the early twentieth century, streets were common play spaces for Irish children. In 1933 the Civics Institute of Ireland took over Dublin playground provision to provide safe play spaces. The Institute established traditional playgrounds with swings, slides, and seesaws alongside new initiatives like introducing playworkers into playgrounds. Several playgrounds around Cork and Limerick were established in the mid-194os inspired by Dublin play provision. 

The Civics Institute relinquished playground provision to Dublin Corporation in 1971, a significant decrease in the number of playgrounds followed. Urban children were back to the streets. New safety regulations became important in the re-establishment of playgrounds shifting the focus of play provision to safety. Currently concerns have shifted from ‘safe as possible’ to ‘safe as necessary’ allowing children to take calculated risks. Designer and modern playgrounds are replacing traditional playgrounds. 

A design history of Irish playgrounds is entirely absent from literature. Starting from 1933 this research periodises changes in playground design in correspondence with changes in design theory, practice, policy, concepts of childhood and civic participation. Taking various case studies around Ireland, this research identifies changing design typologies and play provision. Providing insights on how design responds to changing cultures of childhood, this research writes a history of the relationship between risk and play, which contextualises, clarifies and aims to influence playground design in Ireland. 

Supervisors: Dr Mary Ann Bolger, Dr Brian Ward 

Funder: TU Dublin Research Scholar