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.