The American Ambassador's Residence in Phoenix Park

OU812

Was lucky enough to be at the 4th July BBQ there yesterday. Fantastic day & beautiful place.

One thing that struck me as strange though, although the front gate is there (opposite the Arás), and is very obviously manned by security personnel, the back of the house is wide open to the rest of the park.

I was walking toward the seats during the flag football game that was on & there were people standing in the park watching the proceedings, just feet from the pitch.

Anyone know why it's open like this ?

Also, according to wikipedia, the government sold the Embassy & an acre of land on which it sits to the US government in April 2013, which surprised me. Does this technically mean it's American soil ?

AnonoBoy

There's a simple explanation - the ambassador is a big fan of the song Don't Fence Me In.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuMvkNDuOuQ

That's not the reason - I just wanted to post that song cause it's good.

Hootanany

I thought the OPW owned it.

Amirani

OU812 wrote: »

Also, according to wikipedia, the government sold the Embassy & an acre of land on which it sits to the US government in April 2013, which surprised me. Does this technically mean it's American soil ?

Is your house on Irish soil or OU812 soil?

House of Blaze

Looks nice on google maps.

American football pitch and a basketball court!

Wonder does he know im watching him...

How do you like it America!

asteroids over berlin

OU812 wrote: »

Was lucky enough to be at the 4th July BBQ there yesterday. Fantastic day & beautiful place.

One thing that struck me as strange though, although the front gate is there (opposite the Arás), and is very obviously manned by security personnel, the back of the house is wide open to the rest of the park.

I was walking toward the seats during the flag football game that was on & there were people standing in the park watching the proceedings, just feet from the pitch.

Anyone know why it's open like this ?

Also, according to wikipedia, the government sold the Embassy & an acre of land on which it sits to the US government in April 2013, which surprised me. Does this technically mean it's American soil ?

Are you sure them souls weren't part of the party? There is a walled "moat" around it with security cameras and those fancy infrared alarm, similar to the presidents gaff, also at the back there is a couple of houses, grounds men and what not, i know this as one of them is my Dad's mate! It's completely enclosed! Maybe you were pissed....

wiki:
"Deerfield Residence is a large 18th-century building, sitting on 62 acres (250,000 m²) of private grounds in the centre of the Phoenix Park in Dublin"

Wacker The Attacker

It's open so that the ambassador can watch the dogging sessions at the popes cross

smellmepower

Was there years ago for the BBQ when Jean Kennedy was ambassador,lovely place.They only had Bud Light though,which was a bit disappointing.

Duckworth_Luas

smellmepower wrote: »

Was there years ago for the BBQ when Jean Kennedy was ambassador,lovely place.They only had Bud Light though,which was a bit disappointing.

Probably no Ferrero Roches either.

What a disasterous reception Mrs Ambassador!

OU812

asteroids over berlin wrote: »

Are you sure them souls weren't part of the party? There is a walled "moat" around it with security cameras and those fancy infrared alarm, similar to the presidents gaff, also at the back there is a couple of houses, grounds men and what not, i know this as one of them is my Dad's mate! It's completely enclosed! Maybe you were pissed....

wiki:
"Deerfield Residence is a large 18th-century building, sitting on 62 acres (250,000 m²) of private grounds in the centre of the Phoenix Park in Dublin"

They were in biking gear with bikes & were on the road at the rear.

I've no doubt that there's alarms etc, but it surprised me how open it was once the bleachers were removed, it would have totally unrestricted views of the park