Urban realm project to create Cultural District for Letterkenny
An architectural installation which will bring arts and culture onto the street is set to improve Letterkenny’s pedestrian connections in 2020. The new ‘cultural district’ will open up previously underutilised land to connect High Road and Port Road as part of the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Reimagine… project to enhance the local built environment of six towns across Ireland.
Led by Rathmullan-based Architects Pasparakis Friel, the IAF-commissioned Reimagine Letterkenny project will improve connections between The Donegal County Museum, An Grianán Theatre and The Regional Cultural Centre, with completion of phase one on schedule for May 2020.
The architectural studio is working closely with the local community and Donegal County Council to develop a concept which they hope ‘will act as a catalyst for the growth of culture and arts in the wider region’.
Ronan Friel of Pasparakis Friel said: “A key component of our proposal is the adoption of the gables of existing buildings as ‘canvasses’ which will guide you through the Letterkenny Cultural District whilst celebrating and showcasing works of art and culture. The new Cultural District destination holds immense potential for arts and culture in Letterkenny and the wider region. Our studio is excited about driving forward such an ambitious project.”
Commenting on the Donegal project, Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF, said: “We’re delighted to have architects Pasparakis Friel working with the local community in Letterkenny to develop an architectural solution which will better connect the town’s new Cultural District.
“This project will open up physical connections between Letterkenny’s cultural hubs. It’s an exciting opportunity for the local community to have their voices heard and to work with the architects to create an exciting new space in their town.”
Have your say
The public are invited to attend either of the following workshops to give their views and collaborate with the team in developing ideas for the project:
- Wednesday 18th March 7.30pm-9.00pm at The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny
- Saturday 21st March 2.00pm-4.00pm at The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny
You can also fill in the online survey here
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/LKCD-Letterkenny-Cultural-District-102305154719376/
The ‘Reimagine…’ project is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund.
For further information on Reimagine…, visit: https://architecturefoundation.ie/news/reimagine/.
About the IAF
Established in 2005, the IAF is an independent organisation dedicated to the promotion of architecture as culture. The IAF seeks to champion the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work and play. For further information on the IAF, visit: https://architecturefoundation.ie.
Follow the IAF on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
About the Creative Ireland Programme
The Creative Ireland Programme is guided by a vision that every person in Ireland will have the opportunity to realise their full crea ve potential. It is an all-of-government initiative, from 2017 to 2022, to place creativity at the centre of public policy. Further information is available here: https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en
The National Creativity Fund enables the Creative Ireland Programme to activate, enable and support genuinely ground-breaking and innovative initiatives, research projects and community programmes, which have creativity and wellbeing at their centre. Through a series of strategic partnerships with cultural organisations, education and academic institutions and healthcare specialists, the selected projects are ambitious, innovative and inclusive and will help inform and implement the vision of the Creative Ireland Programme right across Government. Over €1.2m will have been invested in the 30 initiatives over the duration of the Fund in 2018 and 2019.
