AN ARCHITECTURAL design competition has been launched to build a new commemorative bridge over the River Liffey.
The idea for a new bridge linking the Irish National War Memorial Gardens with the Phoenix Park is seen as the first step in realising an important new crossing point over the river.
Located at Islandbridge in Dublin 8, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died during World War One.
The gardens were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose original design concept included a three-arched bridge over the River Liffey, to link the gardens to the Chapelizod Road and the Phoenix Park. However, the bridge was not constructed during his lifetime.
Proposals are now being sought from an architect-led team to design a new landmark bridge for the capital. The process will be led by The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) who made the announcement just days after the Armistice Day centenary, which marked the end of World War One.
Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief said: “The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are one of the city’s most culturally significant gardens, yet are untapped as a major tourism destination. This commemorative bridge competition is the first step in realising an important new crossing point, linking sections of Dublin’s walking, cycling and military trails across the river Liffey and extending links from Kilmainham, to the Phoenix Park and further afield.”
Ciaran O’Connor, State Architect at the OPW, added: “The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are located at a place of great historical, cultural and geographic importance.
“It is fitting that as we mark the centenary of World War One, we are completing the last element of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ plan with a ‘Commemorative Bridge’.
“The new bridge will link the north and south banks of the river at the location first proposed by Lutyens, which is aligned with the main axis of the gardens.”
Kathryn Meghen, CEO, said: “This is a genuinely exciting opportunity for architect-led teams to create and submit designs for consideration, with the winning proposal set to become the city’s latest iconic landmark.”