Ambitious €20m Lucan House park project revealed
The works would transform the old house and surrounding forested lands into a flagship park project for SDCC, who acquired the 30-acre site last year from the Italian government for around €10m.
A full master plan for the site will be made available in the coming weeks, but councillors got a presentation of the key details at its monthly council meeting on Monday.
SDCC intends to open the entire site as a public amenity, focusing on conservation and enhancement of the existing historic structures rather than building anew.
Following extensive community involvement through workshops and online submissions, existing structures such as the manor house and stables, will be upgraded.
Once works are complete, the main Lucan House will be opened for events and exhibitions on the ground floor, while the first floor will have co-working spaces, a lounge area and various community and heritage uses.
A boathouse and storage area will be constructed in the basement of the building, which sits alongside the river Liffey.
A natural amphitheatre area will be created near the main house, overlooking the river, along with a new 200-person capacity pavilion on the rear west lawn, for events too large for the main house.
Stables on site will also be renovated, with retail and a café proposed on the ground floor with space for 60 people.
Their first floor will contain a children's library, exhibition space and several community rooms, with room outside for market stalls or other events.
Two gate lodges, to be refurbished as part of the works, will contain public toilets and a security office.
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The entire project will also link in with the nearby St Catherine's Park with a new set of trails, and is set to include a 95-space car park on the eastern end of the site with a new car access proposed.
It will also have several picnic areas, with riverside walking trails and forest play zones dotted throughout.
The master plan is set to be finalised in the coming weeks, with a public consultation by the start of 2026.
Priority works will begin in the second quarter of 2026, subject to part 8 approval, while main construction works will take place in 2027 and 2028.
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