Diarmuid Gavin’s impression of the undulating garden featuring a ‘river of lavender’ and decorative oversized flowers that will form part of the new gardens surrounding The Bishop’s Palace on The Mall.
Diarmuid Gavin’s creation of three new gardens around The Bishop’s Palace on The Mall has been hailed as a spectacular urban innovation by Waterford City Council.
An 18th century garden, featuring raised beds, sculpted bushes and fountains, is to be established running parallel to The Mall, directly in front of the Bishop’s Palace.
The Spanish Civil War Memorial, currently in front of the Palace is to be relocated and given a garden of its own above the city wall opposite the Theatre Royal.
But the undisputed highlight of the project is the creation of a contemporary garden on a site flanking Colbeck Street and Christ Church Cathedral, which is currently used as a car park for City Council officials
The garden will feature undulating grassy mounds, a ‘river of lavender’ along with decorative oversized flower features, which Gavin has developed in association with former Waterford Crystal chief designer Martin Croke.
Speaking exclusively to The Munster Express, Diarmuid Gavin spoke of his delight at creating a new garden in a city centre setting.
“Usually, we do jobs that would be located for example in the courtyard of a hospital or maybe attached to a hotel, so the location of this particular garden does set it apart in terms of recent Irish projects, no question,” he said.
“The brief was direct – it was very, very strong – the Council knew exactly what way they wanted to go with it and that, for any designer, is the basis for everything.
“So I knew the parameters and was very nervous but also very excited about combining an 18th century garden with something right next door that’s very contemporary, which could have been a little bit dicey.
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What is wrong with Waterford City Council, There are countless people out of work, why did they get this guy, he has his hand in everything, he is not a fellow Waterfordian and this should have been given to someone in Waterford who has made similar contributions to the city or county. This maddens me, the same thing went on at the former ESB centre, none of the vans of the companies that were doing work on the building were even from aterford, I say shame on the Waterford City Council….
I’m sure that there are plenty of landscape gardners, designers and labourers currently unemployed in Waterford. Why can’t they be given this task?
“never a profit in your hometown” – especially the urbs intacta. Nothing ever changes
Hi,
Its sad to see so much bitter comments about this project. Its excellent for the city regardless of who has designed it.
We need more constructive thoughts and creativity guys.
Paul
I’d imagine that the whole point of getting a ‘celebrity’ to design & build the garden is to attract positive publicity to the garden. I hope that the whole thing will be featured on RTE & the garden itself will become an attraction.
as for the crystal site .. I believe that it was put out to tender as these things have to be & then awarded to the best bidder .. can’t complain about that.
The entire ‘E tender or European Tender is a farse, I am an architect and I can tell you straight it is a farse. Photos were published in the Irish Indo. of jobs being advertised in Poland where they said in brackets at the end of the advert ‘no Irish to apply’ now if folks want to defendd the City Council and the worst Government in the history of the state, they should really consider or reconsider their Irishness. Jobs in Waterford should be for the people of Waterford, and if this is not the case than the EU itself is a farse. Look nobody in this country will stand up and slate the Govt. over issues like this not to mention NAMA, but as I am now straying off the point , I would like to say this, Do you really think that guy Dermot Gavin is going to do anything for Waterford by designing a Garden, lets take the situation where you get Waterford people to create and design the Garden and put that on RTE … sorry guys this would be far more effective, and guys if you supported your pwn people in the Cuty and County like you support the Waterford Hurlers we would be a strong willed City and maybe the City would not be on it’s knees like it is.
The sketch is something on the lines of Tellytubbie land. Kevin I do agree with you on this and would like to see Waterford City Council take note of this. I saw some ofn the works your office proposed for the Viking Triangle and saw your proposal videos on Youtube and was most impressed with it, and indeed everyone I know who saw it was impressed too, so why then can’t the City Council give this job to an office such as yours to really create a suitable garden suiting both an architectural and conservation approach to it. The answer to this I suppose is simple , the City Council seem to have no desire to support local business, even when the loca business offers them a greater and more impressive end product??
Kevin, I had a look at the link you posted, and in contrast, I SIMPLY CANNOT BELIEVE thet the City Council are considering Dermot Gavins proposal over that one you showed! What is the matter with our councilors, I mean do we (in Waterford) have a substandard level of councilors or what? The proposals that you showd me are contemporary, impressive, and display a definite prosperity of the City 9even though prosperity is dwindling here because of mis management of the City. The wall to the front of the Bishops Palace may mask the buildings impressive elevation a little though. However in saying that the overall is , I think perfect and would more than complimentthe Contemporary Buildings accross the road that is the House of Waterford Crystal. In regards to who I am , have yo everheard of Decca Architectural?
I have it on good authority that Diarmuid has (thankfully) resigned from this project. I am delighted by that. i would more than welcome him back to transform Ballybricken green for examlpe, anywhere less formal than the Bishops Palace site would better suit his amazing comtemporary work.
Bad news, my advisor is wrong, it is now being prepared for a part 8 planning permission. The thinking is that a Diarmuid Gavin’s garden will be a great draw for visitors / gennerate income – a place for families to go, kids to play and people to contemplate. My opinion is that it looks totally out of character with the area, will be hugely expensive to maintain and probably be trampled by tourists who need access from the Waterford Crystal Showrooms to the Viking Triangle area. I cant imagine waterford people gathering there, it is too small and shows just a small path through dense planting, if more than a handful of people go there it will be full. The greenery would certainly be welcome as the city is sadly lacking in same. Please keep an eye on the newspaper for the part 8 advert
Kevin, I am still of the opinion that it should be a Waterford Firm or individual whom should be awarded the contract for this, what about utilising a situation like this to kit’s maximum potential to offer people of this City work. But no, I guess Waterford City Council are more interested in celeb status and getting on TV and paying through the nose for it (in paying someone like Gavin) to design and construct a Garden that is probably only the same size as some peoples back garden of their house.
I must admit I feel strongly about my point here, so much so that I am considering contacting the Council about it. Or maybe an online petition could be set up for the purposes of this also.
I really do not think people are going to flock to Waterford City to see a garden the size of a domestic rear garden just because Mr. Gavin designed and built it, especially when it looks straight out of Tellytubbies land. I mean its just not good based on the sketch, and the sketch is like a two year old did it, I guess you can get away with faked greatness based on who you are and based on what ever one break you had in the past. I would urge anyone who thinks this contract should go to a Waterford Person or company to show your support now by adding your thoughts.
Lads you make good points, I am surprised you haven’t made your feelings known to City Councillors about this, or maybe you have? There is no point only raising your concerns here. It is very easy to contact the City Councillors and City Manager via email, mobile, Facebook, even an open letter to the local newspapers, detailing your concerns.
To make any feelings or concerns known to the city councillors or for that matter the so-called goverment they must be willing to listen to you, and so far none have done that.
I agree what is being said here jobs should be given to the people of waterford, for what they are doing is saying your work is not good enough for us we will look for somebody famous.
It is only fair after all.