Calls to rename Cork city park named after bishop

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

Cork City Councillors have called for a park named after a Catholic bishop to be given a new name when it reopens to the public later this year.

A motion put forward by Cllrs Niamh O’Connor, Oliver Moran and Ted Tynan at Monday’s meeting of Cork City Council proposed that as part of the redevelopment of Bishop Lucey Park, “the Chief Executive shall undertake a process to explore the renaming of the park.” Seventeen of the City Council’s 31 elected members voted in favour.

Located on the Grand Parade and opened in 1985, the park is named after Bishop Con Lucey, who was the Catholic Bishop of Cork from 1952 until 1980. The park has been closed to the public since December 2023 for redevelopment.

"In my opinion this is not a matter of renaming a park, it’s a new park deserving of a new name. When the new park opens it will bear absolutely no resemblance to the park that was there previously. A new park presents a unique opportunity to choose a name that reflects what we value as a city," Cllr O’Connor said.

The Social Democrats Councillor said the motion wasn’t about committing to a name change for the park, but rather to undertaking a process to explore renaming it. “Ultimately the people of Cork will decide the name of the park and that is exactly how it should be,” she said.

Due to reopen in November, the redeveloped park will include improved access to the historic city wall, a new events pavilion and plaza, improved access and seating for all, and a new tower to mark the eastern entrance.