Parnell Square

Client; Dublin City Council
Completed: October 2004

The purpose of the Framework Plan was to set out an agreed vision for the development of Parnell Square and was prepared in collaboration with the main stakeholders in the area; Dublin City Council, the Office of Public Works, the Rotunda Hospital, the Gate Theatre, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Dublin Writers Museum and the Abbey Presbyterian Church.

The plan outlines the history of the development of the Square, provides an analysis of current uses and considers the relationship of the Square with the rest of the City.
The positive potential and the current problems are explored before setting out an overall masterplan proposal. The masterplan is then broken down into a series of district proposals for both the public and private sectors that can be implemented in a phased process. Projects include various streetworks and public domain landscaping, a new city library, an urban pergola sculpture promenade, a new entrance and café for the Garden of Remembrance, pedestrianising the forecourt to the Hugh Lane Gallery, a new luxury hotel, a city children’s garden, a new tree lined boulevard along Parnell Square West, and the redesign of the Rotunda Hospital to include a new public garden and underground car park. All proposals are costed and timetables for development have been identified.

Project team:
Seán Harrington, Silvia Mambriani, Noel Shortt

*by Howley Harrington Architects, Partner-in-charge and author: Seán Harrington