Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge, Dublin

Above image: David Averill and David Pittaway KC at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Dublin in July.

As summer progresses we are all eager to enjoy as many of the great architect’s creations as we may and any one in or visiting Ireland is encouraged to pay a visit to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens. The memorial was the last of Lutyens war memorials to be constructed and one of the grandest in terms of scale and ambition: it is dedicated to the memory of the 49,000 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. The memorial was restored in the 1980s and further work is ahead for what is now a much-loved local park.

A competition for a commemorative bridge, organised by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), has recently concluded and the winner announced. John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd. The OPW advises that ‘the design is of a simple span bridge to cross the River Liffey, while making the minimal adverse environmental impact on the gardens. It is intended to improve cultural and heritage linkages between the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Kilmainham Gaol, the Magazine Fort and the wider Phoenix Park.’

David Averill kindly led a tour of the memorial for members last summer and is here with our Vice Chairman, David Pittaway KC in July, keeping an eye on this exceptional memorial’s condition and perhaps viewing the site of the proposed addition.