Dún Laoghaire wins three commendations at landscape awards

A raised promenade in the People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, the restoration of the park itself, and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy were among the initiatives commended in the Irish Landscape Awards.

The raised promenade over the sunken railway line was said to offer a direct link between the park and the coastline at Newtownsmith, and provide a place for rest, relaxation and events.

The project was managed by landscape architect Eoin O’Brien MILI, of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s parks and landscape services department.

The project received its commendation in the Design - Public Realm category.

The park also won a highly commended mention in the Landscape, Heritage and Conservation category for the restoration of the People’s Park, which was also managed by Mr O’Brien.

The project aimed to restore the park to its historic layout as faithfully as possible, while catering for modern-day requirements.

The restoration resulted in a substantial increase in soft landscape features, including large manicured lawns.

The judges said the restoration of the pavilion and gate lodge in the park brought them into the 21st-century and were quality park facilities.

Council award

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council won a highly commended mention in the Landscape Management, Policy and Research category .

The council received the award for the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Green Infrastructure Strategy 2016 -2022, which promotes the development of green spaces.

The strategy was said to be the first comprehensive and in-depth initiative of its kind in the Republic and forms part of the County Development Plan.

The strategy was project-managed by landscape architect Aidan J Ffrench MILI, of the council’s parks and landscape services department, and Liam Walsh, the council’s senior executive planner.

Chair Barry Saul said the council was lucky “to have some of the finest parks in the country within our county” and he thanked all involved.