It’s the only green oasis in Cork city centre.

Now Cork’s Bishop Lucey Park is set to undergo a complete transformation for a new era, with Cork City Council and The Royal Institute of Architects launching an international architectural and landscape design competition to find the perfect plan. 

According to the competition’s vision statement, the project “seeks to increase the functionality and use of Bishop Lucey Park as the main soft space on the city centre island”.

“It [the park] serves the people working within the city, and an increasing number of tourists, as well as the development of the adjacent multi-use site on the former Beamish & Crawford Site,” reads the Council statement.

Among the objectives designers are being asked to consider, the Council say the park, which sits between South Main Street and the Grand Parades, should have “something to offer for all ages” and a design that ‘opens up’ the park to the city.

‘A liveable city’

They also reminded designers of the park’s role as a central soft space in the city centre and of the Medieval nature of the site, requiring that all designs submitted should emphasise the existing town walls.

Entry is open to any architect-led team from around the world. A first prize of €15,000 has been offered for the winning design, along with an opportunity to develop the scheme to completion. Second prize is €10,000 and third prize is €5,000.

The redevelopment of Bishop Lucey Park is a key part of Cork City Council’s City Centre Strategy and integral to improving the quality of amenities in a city that is projected to grow to 300,000 in the next 20 years – with an increasing number of young families expected to live in the city centre.

“There will be great public interest in Cork to see how this competition could transform this public space in the heart of the city.” said Lord Mayor, Cllr John Sheehan.

“It’s another project that will ensure Cork becomes a more liveable city for young and old”.