Saturday April 22 2023, 10:45
People’s Park Queen’s Road, Dún Laoghaire
PPE is not required for this event
For many years now the beloved Edwardian Baths in Dún Laoghaire have been unused and derelict. After closing in the late 1980s it became a lost opportunity for people to come from the Town and to engage directly with the sea. After a succession of failed and at time controversial proposals the current proposal was brought forward by Dún Laoghaire Council architects in the period between 2011 in 2015. In 2015 DLR Architects were joined by A2 Architects as enabling architects. Together the two practices have worked closely and collaboratively in the development of the design. Work commenced on site in 2018. The first Phase was completed in December 2022.
From People’s Park one now has a direct view through the park and across Queens Road to the Edwardian pavilion on the seafront. The pavilion houses a café and changing places bathroom at street level. Lift and stairs connect to the lower level, which features four artists’ studios plus a common area for exhibitions and events. Removing former dilapidated buildings onto the pavilion allows sunlight into the pavilion, and enables a new walkway between Newtownsmith’s seafront promenade and Dún Laoghaire’s East Pier, with various levels and staircases, sitting and viewing points, grassed areas, a refurbished Edwardian gazebo and a new jetty. Cast benches taking advantage of the sun’s orientation are generously laid out for the enjoyment of all.
Work is now underway on Phase 2 of this complex public project which includes the uncovering of an open seawater pool to the lower area of the site as well as an accessible ramp between the intermediate promenade level and lower level.
Photographs by Ste Murray