Berwick Fountain on Grand Parade Lights Up
Lord Mayor Cllr. Mick Finn formally launched the recently refurbished and illuminated Berwick fountain on Grand Parade last night.
Gabriel Byrne, Fantasy Lights Group; Donal McGrath, Cork City Council; Neil Purkiss, Cork City Council; Cllr Mick Finn, Lord Mayor of Cork; Sinéad Dunphy, Cork Jazz Festival, Paul McGuirk, Cork City Council; Rob Horgan, Cafe Velo, and Cormac O’Sullivan, Cork City Council.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
Conservation and preservation works were carried out on the almost 160-year-old fountain over the summer including comprehensive cleaning, treating and renovating of all stonework, overseen by the Cork City Council Architects Department.
The fountain is also now lit for the first time in years as a specialist LED lighting system was installed by Cork City Council plant and machinery team. It will be lit in a warm white colour generally which will highlight its classic features and the renovation works. The colours can also be changed individually on each lamp remotely via wifias occasion demands.
The fountain, which dates to 1860, was erected by Walter Berwick, an important figure in the Cork judiciary, as a token of his gratitude to the city’s people.
Dave O’Reilly, Fantasy Lights Group pictured with Kieran McCarthy and Donal McGrath of Cork City Council.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
The fountain was designed by Sir John Benson, who also designed the fountain in the English Market. The man tasked with cutting the now iconic fountain was stonemason Patrick Scannell of Douglas Street.
Ben Horgan, Cork City; Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mick Finn, and Sinéad Dunphy, Cork Jazz Festival.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
Lord Mayor Cllr Mick Finn said
‘The conservation works follow on from renovation works to the National Monument and to the Fr Mathew Statue in recent years. In addition, extensiveconservation and lighting works arewellunderway on St Patrick’s Bridgeand will be completednext month’
The Berwick Fountain illumination will add to the necklace of historic buildings and features which have been lit up recently, considerably adding to the nocturnal environment and ambiance in the city centre. This was a key feature acknowledged by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) in its renewal of its Purple Flag accreditation for Cork City Centre, an international award for excellence in the evening and night-time economy.
Gabriel Byrne, Fantasy Lights Group; Neil Purkiss, Cork City Council, Rob Horgan, Café Velo, and Cormac O’Sullivan.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
For example, the former Model School building on Anglesea Street has been illuminated by the OPW as part of the Court Services Building redevelopment and 97 South Mall, the former TCH building and now home to Eventbrite, has recently been illuminated by JCD.
Sinéad Dunphy, Cork Jazz Festival.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
To celebrate the refurbishment, anyone who posts a selfie next to the fountain during October on twitter, facebook or instagram with the hashtag #urbanoctober is entered into a draw for a €100 voucher for Electric.
Press Contact: Paul Mc Guirk 086 8398645
