While Merrion Square Park is today enjoyed by countless Dubliners, the park almost became the location of a Catholic Cathedral. Historically open only to the residents of the square, it had been bought in the early 20th century by the Catholic Church and in 1938 it was announced that a new Catholic Cathedral was to be built on the site. However, the project never materialised and the park was eventually handed over to the public in 1974.

This 1934 drawing, by L. F. Dowling, shows the proposed Cathedral.

Courtesy of the Dublin Diocesan Archives.