Refurbishment of Bishop Lucey Park to cost in the region of €7m

The refurbishment of Bishop Lucey Park in Cork city centre will cost around €7m, but a final cost will not be available until next year, and there is still final work to be done after the park's re-opening this week, councillors have been told.

The park closed in December 2023 for redevelopment works, and has remained closed since, but Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy will officially re-open the redeveloped park and new pedestrian bridge at Lambley’s Lane tomorrow afternoon.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy asked at last Monday’s monthly meeting of Cork City Council for an update on the works and the cost.

Gerry O’Beirne, the council’s director of infrastructure development said that “project finances remain in line with expectations at circa €7m”, and that work is expected to be completed “within the next two weeks” yet confirmed the park will reopen to the public this week.

The council’s senior engineer John Stapleton told Mr McCarthy at the meeting that the council’s “current plan is to finish the works over the next couple of weeks”, though removing the vacant pod in front of the arches on Grand Parade and paving it over will need to be done next year.

Mr McCarthy told The Echo that the pod, a former energy hub centre, “took from the entrance view” and “has been a bug bear for many people since the pod was built 20 years ago”.

Sinn Féin councillor Michelle Gould also tabled a motion, asking what portion of the funding was provided by central government.

A written response from Mr O’Beirne said that the park’s “comprehensive restoration—encompassing soft and hard landscaping, upgraded lighting, installation of feature structures, conservation of sculptures, repairs to boundary walls and historic railings, archaeological surveys, and associated works—is projected to cost approximately €7 million excluding VAT.

“Construction is currently underway; hence the final cost can only be confirmed upon completion of works and conclusion of the final account in 2026.” 

The project is being delivered through a 75% grant from the Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund while the remaining funding is provided by Cork City Council, they added.