new design for eyre square
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The saga of the Eyre square renewal scheme rumbles on… Stirring up yet more controversy along the way, even here!
The current proposals by Mitchell & Associates is an extremely well considered, thoughtful approach to the current problems of eyre square. This is their second scheme for the square, havng revised their proposals to accommodate all of the trees of worth that are currently in the square following criticism from some quarters. The layout and circulation proposals – including the arc connecting the two major hubs of the Shop St. corner and the Railway/Bus stations, the relocation of the “sail” sculpture and the creation of level terraces of lawn to counteract the slope of the square – are all sensibly and elegantly resolved and will add immeasurably to the quality of Galway’s urban environment.
Images and plans of this layout can be found at the following:
Eyre Sq PDF
There are however some quarters in which this proposal is not so popular, particularly in the local media. Newspaper story after story has come down on the scheme and misinformation is rife. Recent claims in certain papers would have you believe that there won’t be a tree left standing in the square, that the whole space is to be concreted over, that the trees that are to be planted will be dead within months etc etc… Its disgraceful and very frustrating that such ignorance can hold up such an important scheme.
Even more frustrating is the fact that many of the people of Galway seem to be falling for the crap that is being spouted by the few. The model of the scheme was being displayed in the Eyre Sq. Shopping Centre a few months back. It drew great crowds and was extremely convincing in displaying the benefits of the scheme. However the amount of comments along the lines of “those trees arent going to be that height for 50 years” or “Thats not really going to be grass” was ridiculous! This despite the fact that it was clearly written on display boards that new trees are to be semi-mature and of at least 5m high before planting, that lawn area would in fact be greater than is there currently etc. etc.
And the latest twist in the tale is this unsolicited (except by the cranks who are hoping to undermine the official proposal)scheme proposing to reconfigure the square into the shape of the claddagh ring… the heart shaped lawn and the statue of Padraig O’Connaire at the crown… Unfortunately I can’t find any images of this scheme because I’m sure it would give you all a great laugh! I have never seen anything more kitch or twee in my life, right down to the “celtic patterns” inlaid into the paving around the edges of the square… It even proposed the retention of trees which are currently dead! The only trouble is, this amateurish and fundamentally flawed scheme has received acres of coverage in the local press and even or RTE News as mentioned. And again, a lot of locals who are being fed only misinformation are falling for it and saying “Sure wouldn’t it be lovely” and all the rest. the lowest common denominator always having a certain appeal…
So this is where the situation stands at the moment. We have the City council on one side getting ready to move in, cut down the trees that need to be removed, and get to work on turning what is now an eyesore into something Galway can be proud of. On the other side we have the local media, the assorted cranks and crusties and everyone else who has been fooled into believing their bullshit who are getting ready to “resist” by tying themselves to trees and lying in front of bulldozers… It’s pathetic.
And by the way, I have nothing to do with the City Council or the architects involved (in case I sound too enthusiastic about the whole thing!). I’m a student of architecture, back in Uni in Dundee this year, but who has lived and worked in Galway City Centre for the previous two years. I walked through Eyre Square every morning and had my lunch there on many afternoons, despite the fact that it’s currently a shithole quite frankly! Something needs to be done urgently and I’m convinced that the current Mitchell Associates proposals are worthy of the city. Lets just get on with it for god’s sake!!thanks for the info BTH very interesting, yet dismaying at the same time.
Dear What
You found me out…and figured me out…well done, and with no clues!
Yes….everyone desires to be a narrow minded arrogant architect like you (not all are, and assuming you are one). I can only dream about prefabrication and cookie cutter buildings plans. What a life you must lead. To only worry about the building with no concern for context and site conditions, you are truly a GOD.
The only purpose your comments serve are to confirm mine, and my decision to be who I am and what I am. I challenged your comments, not your person….you cannot say the same. You my friend showed your insecurities and I feel for you.
I will thank BTH though, those comments were very helpful. I would ask you what you think about the changes that have been made to Galway city already. Mitchell and Assoc. were the designers for the new pedestrian scheme which seems to be very successful, which is why they were choosen to continue on with Eyre Square.
Cheers.
Theres no doubting the success of the Shop St. pedestrianisation as a concept and it works for me aesthetically, consisting of simple cobble style concrete pavers in a uniformly natural tone with large “blocks” of light granite paving framed in darker stone which are regularly spaced along the length of the streets involved. It’s a simple and elegant solution from a design point of view, which is a comment I think could be applied to the Eyre Square scheme also.
My only issue with the project however is the execution… I’m led to believe that large sections of paving had to be replaced quite soon after the completion of the scheme due to pavers cracking and subsiding under the weight of delivery trucks which rumble up and down the street every morning. It seems to me that a lot of the concrete pavers are laid only on a very weak bed of cement, if not on a sand cement mix, driveway style. There seems to be quite a lot of movement, especially at the Quay St. / Spanish arch end of the pedestrianised area.
Another issue is the lack of care that is taken of the area by the people who use it. Truck drivers regularly uproot bollards and stainless steel flagpoles are constantly covered with stickers and flyers. Its a great shame and can really take away from the look of the place. The other small grumble is the lack of bins along the street and again the abuse of the stainless steel surfaces on the ones that are there! If only steel could be invented that was really stainless, and imperveous to the assorted glues and tapes that get applied to it on Irish streets!
However, due credit to the City Council who do their best to repair damage and who do a great job on cleaning the street every morning. It’s a wonderful thoroughfare, not yet completely overrun with chainstores and with a very unique character which has probably been enhanced by the pedestrianisation scheme. Try it on a saturday afternoon on a sunny day with a crepe from the market… It dosent get much better!
Originally posted by BTH
I’m sure it would give you all a great laugh! I have never seen anything more kitch or twee in my life, right down to the “celtic patterns” inlaid into the paving around the edges of the square… The only trouble is, this amateurish and fundamentally flawed scheme has received acres of coverage in the local press and even or RTE News as mentioned.I believe that it is Mary Reynolds that is being mooted as the landscape designer. On paper she fits the bill for Galway. Her style has been described as ‘retro-hippy’ so expect lots of designer weeds, etc. You can see some of her work up in Farmleigh. Concentric grass ridges with stones representing the solar system, planets, our celtic ancestry, yadda, yadaa. yadda….
good day greenarch.
firstly, i think the title of your profession will indicate which is more narrowly focused vocation. secondly you did attack my person with such comments as ” Irish Architects who have no idea how to build contemporary buildings in a historic city. This is hypocrytical and stupid” and “the architects in this country have no regard for restoring buildings “.
i feel a personal need to stand up against patronising comments like this. i could only assume that you were an embitterd lanscape designer who hated architects for some reason, and made a stab at what that reason might be, i knew that would get your back up.narrowmined? “cookiecutter plans and pre-fabrication”, you do seem to know a lot about architecture.
arrogant? ill take that one !i woul tell you to go plant some trees in a shape only relevant from a helicopter but i have far more respect for many exponents ofyour profession than that.
Dearest What….
I don’t dislike Architects, I am one…..one that also holds a degree in Landscape Architecture……I took a shot at my own profession (architecture) because I am tired of being around people who can’t think outside the box, these are the narrow-minded individuals I refered to…..like you who thinks that the word Landscape is limiting…..what part of the word Landscape refers to being “narrowly focused”….I ask you, what word could be more broadly focused????? lets see….maybe building architecture????
Im tired of this conversation….sorry if I offended you….my comments were meant to stir a debate…. the suggestion that architecture is a narrow-minded profession is not mine, its universal…I guess it worked.
Good luck…
Dearest What….
I don’t dislike Architects, I am one…..one that also holds a degree in Landscape Architecture……I took a shot at my own profession (architecture) because I am tired of being around people who can’t think outside the box, these are the narrow-minded individuals I refered to…..like you who thinks that the word Landscape is limiting…..what part of the word Landscape refers to being “narrowly focused”….I ask you, what word could be more broadly focused????? lets see….maybe building architecture????
Im tired of this conversation….sorry if I offended you….my comments were meant to stir a debate…. the suggestion that architecture is a narrow-minded profession is not mine, its universal…I guess it worked.
Good luck…
Dearest What….
I don’t dislike Architects, I am one…..one that also holds a degree in Landscape Architecture……I took a shot at my own profession (architecture) because I am tired of being around people who can’t think outside the box, these are the narrow-minded individuals I refered to…..like you who thinks that the word Landscape is limiting…..what part of the word Landscape refers to being “narrowly focused”….I ask you, what word could be more broadly focused????? lets see….maybe building architecture????
Im tired of this conversation….sorry if I offended you….my comments were meant to stir a debate…. the suggestion that architecture is a narrow-minded profession is not mine, its universal…I guess it worked.
Good luck…
Does anyone know what the layout of the new look Eyre Square is going to be? I was under the impression that the square would now run over the street area and join on to the Eyre Square Shopping centre side aswell (so there would only now be three sides open to traffic). Is this what is going to be done?
Thanks
Phil
Thanks Fin. That will be an interesting shift in the balance of the square I think. I always felt that it seemed balanced towards the northern end of the square, as it seemed to go up hill towards that end.
Thanks
Phil
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