[2][3][4] The site, located on the north bank of the River Liffey to the south of Collins Barracks (formerly the Royal Barracks) is traditionally believed to have been used as a mass grave for Irish rebel casualties of the 1798 Rebellion; they were known as Croppies due to their short-cropped hair.

[8] Bartholomew Teeling was also supposedly buried at Croppies' Acre after being hanged at Provost Prison, Arbour Hill.

[10][11] The precise site of the burials was long disputed, all being known was that the dead had been buried on marshy ground near the Royal Barracks.

Other reports mentioned that the corpses of the executed were thrown into the Liffey as a public deterrent; the river being tidal at this point.

It was closed in 2012 by the Office of Public Works due to anti-social behaviour, including drunkenness and the use of hard drugs.