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BBC presenter Adam Frost and Danesmoate head gardener Darragh Stone. BBC Studios

U2 bassist Adam Clayton secures new cottage for live-in gardener on Danesmoate estate

The previous gardener’s accommodation was torn down after being declared “not fit for purpose”.

BASS GUITARIST OF Irish band U2, Adam Clayton, has secured planning permission to build a cottage on his Danesmoate estate in south Dublin to accommodate the estate’s resident head gardener.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council previously granted planning permission to the British-born musician to demolish the existing single-storey staff facilities building.

In its place, he has been given the go-ahead for a new single-storey gardener’s accommodation building of 110 square metres with adjoining sheds.

Clayton purchased the 18th century house in the mid 1980s. It was the site of the recording of U2′s seminal ‘Joshua Tree’ album.

The current Head Gardener, Daragh Stone, has has been in situ since 2020 and heads a team of four gardeners, including two part-timers.

The planning permission also includes a staff facilities building, comprising a gardener’s office, bathroom, kitchen and dining facilities, to replace the existing  staff facilities building, which has been declared “not fit for purpose”.

The Council granted planning permission after concluding that the scheme “would not detract from the amenities of the area and is consistent with the provisions of the current Development Plan”.

The planning authority also concluded that the proposed development would not adversely impact on the residential or visual amenity or character of Danesmoate House and its curtilage or adjacent properties. The house is a protected structure.

The Council stated that the gardens at Danesmoate “are noted to be an exemplar in horticultural terms and requires a team of gardening staff for ongoing maintenance”.

Pat Kennedy of Cantrell & Crowley Architects for Clayton told the council that the proposed gardener’s accommodation will consist of an L-shaped single storey building wrapped around a small private courtyard.

Kennedy stated that the accommodation building “will have a contemporary design, with historic elements added to match with the character of the walled garden”.

A separate report lodged with the application states that the proposed structures “will blend into the landscape of the walled garden and will have no negative impact on the character of this historic garden”.

In an interview with Country Life discussing the gardens, Clayton said, “We went a bit bonkers on the magnolias”. There are 50 varieties of magnolia at Danesmoate.

Over 4,000 trees have been planted since Clayton purchased the estate in 1988 for a reported price of €380,000.

The 17 acres includes a formal garden and a woodland area. Although Clayton started his garden project 30 years ago, he told BBC’s Gardeners World that he sees it as only an “adolescent garden”, adding that he can “just see what its going to be” at maturity.

Asked what gardening means to him, Clayton told the BBC programme, “It just takes my mind out of myself”.

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    Mute Mick
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:11 AM

    “first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.”
    Player

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    Mute Johnny
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:04 AM

    The mane thing is you explained the joke

    156
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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:07 AM

    That fact gives me pride. But I did paws briefly before explaining it.

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    Mute Johnny
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:30 AM

    Dang can’t think of any more. I’ll have to draw the lion here so…

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    Mute Eanna Brophy
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:34 AM

    Cub your enthusiasm!

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    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:41 AM

    So you’re feline proud Paul.

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    Mute whynotme
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:06 AM

    He is the King of the Journal ,after all !

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    Mute kimmycat
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:08 AM

    Cuteness overload

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    Mute Luke
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:44 AM

    Beautiful creatures . majestic

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    Mute Babs Foran Walsh
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:02 PM

    I’m sick to my teeth of hearing “I don’t agree with zoo’s, no animal should be caged”… In imagination land that’s a brilliant idea, all animals roaming free etc. Reality check, If it wasn’t for these “prisons” a lot of these animals would now be extinct. Case in point, Longleat in England started a conservation in the 1960′s with Africa for the rhino, can’t remember whether its the white or black one. Anyways, since they started the breeding and re-population programme, its now come off the endangered list. All because idiots think no 1 its some kinda of magic Viagra, and 2, a “lovely ornament”… So I’m a firm believer in zoo’s, well until we can sterilize these idiots so they can’t reproduce.

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    Mute aido m
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:15 PM

    Well said babs

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    Mute Sean Sean
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:39 PM

    Babs, you’re talking out of your arse!

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    Mute Georgina Beacom
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    Aug 7th 2014, 1:01 PM

    So cute. While I don’t like the idea of keeping wild animals in zoos, for reasons of safe keeping until we can stop poachers and hunters this is what we can provide. I am not saying all zoos are good. But some do their best.

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    Mute Noddy W3106
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:10 AM

    Beautiful animal, would be even more so in it’s own habitat.

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 7th 2014, 2:33 PM

    Without reverting to name calling and with all due respet to Dublin Zoo, the bottom line is that Zoos are an entertainment business, their financial product is the animals the house and the revenue those animals produce. Baby animals generate huge footfall resulting in huge revenue for zoos.

    Animals retained in zoos are denied everything that makes their lives meaningful. Every part of their lives is controlled and manipulated. They have no choice in what or when they eat, whom they mate with, or whom they live with. They are housed in structures that are not even close to the rainforests, plains, and jungles that are their indigenous habitats.

    Instead of providing lifetime care, zoos routinely trade, lend (i.e. chinese pandas are all on loan), sell, barter, and distribute animals they no longer want—despite knowing that many species form lasting bonds that are important to their long-term health and happiness. Removing animals from bonded social groups and forcing them to adjust constantly to new routines, different caretakers, and unfamiliar cagemates is disruptive and traumatic. Most animals go mad in captivity.

    Zoos have ingeniously managed to tag the world “conservation” on to their product to gloss over the reality of their existence. Zoos do not save animals from extinction, they only breed them to replenish their stock. Another argument as to why a lot of animals cannot be reintroduced back into their natural habitat is because they no longer have a natural habitat due to world over-population which is increasing. So I agree with you on the sterization suggestion but as well as me, it should really include a few more humans in that.

    I don’t mean to be ‘preachy’ but there is another side to zoos and I am entitled to my own opinion.
    Please watch “Earthlings”, “Blackfish” and “The Ghosts in Our Machine”. It might be of further help to you.

    As a fellow sentient being, the same as the fellow sentient beings held in zoos, ask youself this question, “Would I like to live my whole life like that?”.

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    Mute Peter Nodwell
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:35 PM

    On the ball

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    Mute Michelle Blessing
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:41 AM

    I don’t agree with Zoos.

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:46 AM

    Thankfully zoos can’t talk so it’s a one sided argument.

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    Mute Hairy lemon
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    Aug 7th 2014, 2:31 PM

    I didn’t know India had lions… I thought they were only found in Africa. Learnt something new today!

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    Mute Anthony Egan Bartley
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:39 AM

    Should name the cub Gismo

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