Amanze Chinonye
Dublin City Council is moving to remove the name “Herzog” from the public park in Rathgar, signalling a major step in a debate that has intensified over the past year regarding the park’s association with former Israeli president Chaim Herzog.
The development follows Report No. 277/2025, submitted to councillors by Assistant Chief Executive Eileen Quinlivan, recommending that the Council endorse the Commemorations and Naming Committee’s decision to dename the park and begin a formal consultation to determine a replacement.
The issue first entered the Council’s agenda in December 2024, when the South East Area Committee adopted a motion calling for a review of the name. Councillors raised further questions at a full sitting on 6 January 2025, prompting the matter to be referred to the Commemorations and Naming Committee at the request of members.
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Herzog Park’s history stretches back more than half a century. The site originally operated as a quartz and limestone quarry before being acquired by the city in 1954. It opened as a public amenity in 1985 under the name Orwell Quarry Park.
In 1995, during Jerusalem’s tri-millennium celebrations, Dublin City Council renamed the site after Chaim Herzog who spent part of his childhood in Dublin as a symbolic gesture acknowledging his Irish links and international prominence.
But the name has become increasingly contentious amid heightened public scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Throughout 2024 and 2025, a grassroots campaign emerged calling for the park to be renamed, with advocates arguing that the current name no longer reflects community values.
One petition, which proposed renaming the park after five-year-old Hind Rajab, killed during the conflict, drew thousands of signatures and helped push the issue onto the city’s political agenda.
Supporters of the renaming argue that public spaces should reflect inclusive, locally grounded identities rather than global political symbolism. Opponents, including some within Ireland’s Jewish community, have criticised the move, saying that removing Herzog’s name would erase an aspect of Irish-Jewish heritage and the legacy of a Dublin-raised figure who went on to lead Israel.
After considering these perspectives at its meeting on 24 July 2025, the Commemorations and Naming Committee voted with one objection to remove the name. The committee also agreed that any replacement should emerge from a structured consultation process, in line with the Council’s Policy for Commemorative Naming of Infrastructure, which emphasises community participation and historical relevance.
If the Council approves the recommendation, officials will draft and implement a public consultation to invite submissions for a new name. The preferred option will then return to the committee before coming back to the full Council for final approval.
Councillors are now being asked to note and endorse the report, paving the way for a renaming process that is expected to draw significant public interest as the city weighs heritage, global politics and local identity in the naming of its public spaces.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
