Bishop Lucey Park officially reopens after €7m redevelopment

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy officially opened the redeveloped Bishop Lucey Park on Friday afternoon after two years of redevelopment works costing around €7m.

The newly opened park will play host to some of Cork City Council’s festive “Corkmas” offering, hosting a range of pop-up family friendly activities in the run up to Christmas, with more details on what’s planned to be announced next week.

The original 1980's boundary walls and fencing have been removed to open up the space, allowing greater physical and visual connection between the park and surrounding streets.

The city’s medieval walls, which run through the site, are now a focal point, and the redesign features a new pavilion and plaza, and new tower structure marking the eastern entrance on South Main Street.

The preservation and sensitive restoration of several heritage and public art features within the park was a focal point of the redevelopment, including the Christchurch graveyard, Seamus Murphy’s “The Onion Seller” sculpture, John Behan’s “The Swan Fountain” and the Boxer’s Wall.

The refurbishment is projected to cost approximately €7 million excluding VAT, councillors were told at Monday’s monthly council meeting, though there is still some construction currently underway; so the final cost will only be confirmed upon completion of works and conclusion of the final account in 2026.

The park’s design, by Hall McKnight Architects, was chosen following an international architectural and landscape design competition and construction, carried out by Cumnor Construction, was funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

The Lord Mayor also opened the new pedestrian and cycle bridge that connects Lambley’s Lane (off South Main Street) to Wandesford Quay. The new 27 metre steel span bridge was designed by Seán Harrington Architects of Arup design team, and manufactured by Thompsons of Carlow, who also manufactured Mary Elmes Bridge.

It provides a direct pedestrian and cycle connection from Parnell Place to Wandesford Quay, via Oliver Plunkett Street and Tuckey Street. The bridge was co-funded by URDF and the National Transport Authority.

The Lord Mayor said: “It’s fantastic to be able to give this wonderful amenity space back to the public in time for Christmas.

“The redeveloped Park is a fusion of the City’s medieval heritage and modern, functional design, opened up to the wider city centre. It will be a place of relaxation, play, performance and community gathering. It will attract more people to enjoy this green space in the heart of the city.” Chief Executive of Cork City Council Valerie O’Sullivan said that the council “wanted to ensure that after two years of work and disruption, that the park would be available to the public in time for Christmas”.

She added: “The opening of the park and the new bridge, combined with the public realm upgrades in and around South Main Street, marks a significant milestone in the transformation of this historic area that will enhance connectivity, encourage footfall, and foster a stronger sense of community, delivering long-term benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.” 

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.

Works are ongoing on the wider Beamish & Crawford Public Realm Upgrade Scheme which, when completed, will see a complete renewal of the area around the southern gateway to the medieval city, connecting the Grand Parade and a series of historic lanes, streets and Bishop Lucey Park with the south channel of the River Lee and the city centre business core. The entire scheme is expected to be completed in early summer 2026.