Council buys ‘car park’ square at auction for €142k

Dublin City Council has bought a Georgian garden square once owned by a businessman who attempted to use the two-acre leafy landmark as a car park.

Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh failed to attract any bids at an Allsop Space auction in Dublin but negotiations shortly after concluded with a sale to a “party in trust” for €142,000 — €2,000 over the reserve.

A council spokesperson later confirmed that the square surrounded by period red brick houses was bought by the council with the support of local residents.