Public Park

INVISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHED AUGUST 2017 – THIS MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 2024

August 9, 2025 by infomatique

PRESENTED BY THE URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

Usually when I photographed this it is/was in poor condition and while it was in reasonable condition there was a lot of debris in the water. In July 2018 it was dry and may have been undergoing maintenance. According to some accounts it has been replaced in 2023 or 2024 – I will confirm if this is true when I visit in August 2025.

In 1999, the artist Tina O’Connell was commissioned to create a new fountain on the same site as a former Victorian-style tiered fountain that had fallen into disrepair. As such, Tina’s contemporary sculpture is also a fully functioning fountain. Following an extended period of research and development into materials, ‘In-Visible’ was finally sited and fully installed in 2002.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is/was a contemporary sculpture that incorporates a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world-famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows. It is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work is locally known as the ‘Orb Fountain’.

PEOPLES PARK AND THE BRIDGE TO THE WATERFORD COURT HOUSE

August 8, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED JULY 2018

Back in July 2018, I spent some time photographing the People’s Park in Waterford. I remember being fascinated by the old Victorian iron bridge, but to my dismay, the gate was locked on my first day. The next day, it was open, but I didn’t have enough time to explore. Little did I know that this observation would be the starting point for a much larger story about the park’s past and its exciting future.

I’m heading back to Waterford soon to see what’s changed and will be exploring with my camera. It’s been five years, and it looks like a lot has happened in the interim!

A History Forged in Water and Politics

The People’s Park, covering a sprawling 6.6 hectares, has a fascinating history. Originally a vast marshland traversed by the John’s River, the area was drained and the river diverted in 1857 to make way for the park. This transformative project laid the groundwork for what would become Waterford’s most important green space.

The park’s name itself is rooted in mid-19th century politics. The name “People’s Park” first appeared in the Waterford Chronicle in July 1855, and is thought to have stemmed from the publication’s political leanings. A rival paper, the Waterford Mail, preferred the name “Public Park”, but “People’s Park” eventually became the common term.

Much of the park’s creation is credited to John Aloysius Blake, who served as Mayor of Waterford City from 1855 to 1858. The park, along with the widening of Barronstrand Street, is considered one of his most significant achievements.

A Blend of Old and New

Even with continuous modernisation, the People’s Park has retained many of its key historical features. The beautiful Victorian-era bandstand, installed in 1869, remains a prominent fixture, and two Russian cannons, captured during the Battle of Sebastopol in 1854, stand as historical monuments. These features, along with early infrastructure like the Goff cycle track, serve as a constant reminder of the park’s deep-rooted history.

My upcoming visit will give me a chance to see how these historical features blend with the exciting new additions.

The Carlisle Bridge: A Vital Link Restored

My experience with the locked gate in 2018 now makes perfect sense. The Carlisle Bridge, an iron bridge officially named after the 7th Earl of Carlisle, was constructed in 1857 to provide a direct pedestrian link from the park to the Waterford Court House.

This wasn’t just a simple bridge; it was an early example of reinforced concrete construction, making it an important part of Waterford’s heritage. The locked gate I saw was likely a temporary safety measure due to the bridge’s deteriorating condition. A 2019 report had noted that the bridge “would benefit from a coat of paint,” which turned out to be an early indicator of much more serious corrosion.

In late 2023, Waterford City and County Council took decisive action, appointing Cumnor Construction to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment. The project, costing nearly €200,000, involved replacing corroded wrought iron, stripping the bridge back to bare metal, and repainting it in period-appropriate Victorian colours.

Following the completion of the work, the bridge was officially reopened, restoring the vital link between the park and the Court House grounds.

A Contemporary Water Feature

The park’s water features have a history of their own. The original magnificent Victorian fountain, installed in 1883, was dismantled in 1990. Its site was later home to Tina O’Connell’s sculpture, ‘In-Visible’, a contemporary water feature installed in 2002.

However, as part of the recent renewal project, a new contemporary fountain was unveiled in May 2024. This new feature, which retains the shape and limestone capping of the previous fountain, boasts a 7-metre stainless steel spray ring with 88 individual water jets, dynamic colour-changing lighting, and a modern remote-monitored water system. The refurbishment, costing €160,000, was completed by Fountainworks of Navan with support from Liam Whelan Plant Hire.

A Coordinated Vision for Urban Renewal

The restoration of the Carlisle Bridge and the new fountain are just two parts of a much wider strategy by Waterford City and County Council to upgrade the People’s Park. Their vision is to create a “vibrant, green, biodiverse and family-friendly public space.”

The council’s investment has also seen the meticulous renovation of the former caretaker’s house, which now operates as the popular Park Lodge café. The park’s facilities have also been expanded to include a new skate park, a basketball court, a football field, and an adult gym.

The new amenities, coupled with the restoration of historical landmarks, perfectly blend the past with the present, ensuring the People’s Park remains a beloved and inclusive space for everyone.

I can’t wait to see these changes with my own eyes and capture them through my lens. Stay tuned for a follow-up post once I’ve had a chance to visit.

INVISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHED 2018 – A WATER FEATURE WITHOUT WATER

August 8, 2025 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED 8 AUGUST 2025

This was the first time I saw the underlying structure of the sculpture and I was surprised, as I had previously believed the sphere moved or floated. Furthermore, there was no sign of the “circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble” mentioned in official descriptions.

I have noticed a recurring issue throughout the island of Ireland: water features are rarely properly maintained and eventually cease to be operational.

Sadly, when I photographed this piece a year later, it was in a very poor condition, with hardly any water and a considerable amount of litter and branches in the pool area. To be fair, however, in 2017 more recently it was in excellent condition, and the water in the ball was clear.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is a contemporary sculpture that incorporates a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world-famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows. It is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work is locally known as the ‘Orb Fountain’.

The issue of water features being more often dry than not in Ireland is a complex one, likely stemming from a combination of factors. A primary reason is often a lack of funding for consistent maintenance. Public art and civic amenities often fall victim to budget cuts, and the upkeep of water pumps, plumbing, and filtration systems requires regular financial outlay and dedicated personnel. Furthermore, issues such as vandalism, blockages from litter and natural debris (as noted in my own experience), and technical faults can quickly render a feature inoperable. Without a swift and consistent maintenance schedule, these problems accumulate, and the water feature is left to deteriorate.

Given the pressing concerns of global warming, one might argue that it makes more sense than ever to have these water features operational, especially in a country like Ireland where water is generally readily available. The sight and sound of running water can have a cooling and calming effect on urban environments, offering a psychological respite from rising temperatures. They can also serve as a source of habitat for urban wildlife and contribute to a sense of place and civic pride. While the operational costs and potential for water wastage are valid considerations, modern fountains often use closed-loop systems that recycle the water, minimising consumption. Therefore, a commitment to proper maintenance and an acknowledgement of the environmental and social benefits would seem a sensible approach to ensure that these public artworks continue to serve their intended purpose.

IN-VISIBLE BY TINA O’CONNELL

March 1, 2023 by infomatique

AN INTERESTING WATER FEATURE IN THE WATERFORD PEOPLES PARK

One thing that I have noticed in Ireland is that water features are never properly maintained and eventually they become non-water features. Unfortunately, when I photographed this a year later it was in very poor condition … hardly any water and lots of litter and branches within the pool area. But to be fair in 2017 it was in excellent condition and the water in the ball was clear.

In 1999, artist Tina O’Connell was commissioned to re-create a fountain on the same site as where there had been a Victorian style tiered fountain which had fallen into disrepair. Thus Tina’s contemporary sculpture is also a fully functioning fountain. After an extended period of research into the materials and of development ‘In-Visible’ was finally sited and fully installed in 2002.

‘In-Visible’ (2001) is a contemporary sculpture incorporating a water feature. Inspired by the connection between Waterford City and the world famous Waterford Glass industry, O’Connell’s work consists of a very large transparent acrylic sphere (2 metres in diameter), over which clear running water continuously flows, and which is positioned on a large, circular platform made from black Kilkenny marble. The work has been referred to locally as the ‘Orb Fountain’.