Stardust Memorial Park
| Stardust Memorial Park | |
|---|---|
| Stardust Memorial Garden | |
 A view of the park from the garden terrace | |
  Location of the park in Dublin, Ireland | |
| Nearest town | Coolock |
| Area | 20 acres |
| Elevation | 40 metres (130 ft) |
| Created | February 1992 |
| Operated by | Dublin Corporation Parks Department, now Dublin City Council |
| Plants | 8,050 trees |
| Collections | Maple, lime, mountain ash, oak, beech, larch, pine and birch |
| Designation | To commemorate the lives of those who were victims of the tragic Stardust nightclub 1981 fire |
| Threatened by | Local vandalism |
| Budget | £500,000 Irish pounds |
| Public transit access | Bus services - 27, 27X |
| Opening date | September 18, 1993 |
Stardust Memorial Park is a protected memorial park located in Coolock, Dublin, Ireland. The memorial park was built to commemorate the lives of those who died in the Stardust nightclub 1981 fire, at the Stardust Nightclub in Artane. The park was officially completed and opened on September 18, 1993 by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Tomás MacGiolla. The memorial represents a circular pool with a bronze sculpture of a dancing couple in the middle, and is by the sculptor Robin Buick.[1] Water is pumped by 48 jets in the illuminated fountain which surrounds the sculpture.[2] The fountain is enclosed by 48 pillars, each pillar representing a person lost in the tragedy. In the memorial park, there is a number of facilities open to the public including a newly renovated playground and a garden terrace. The park comprises 20 acres along the Santry River. The land was originally a 12th-century monastic site.[3]
Development
The cost of the park was in excess of £500,000 Irish pounds. The design was prepared in 1991 and work on site commenced in February 1992 with a combination of contract work, direct labour and a community youth training project which was operating through Foras Áiseanna Saothair, the state agency in charge of assisting citizens seeking employment. The major works were carried out by Dublin Corporation's Parks Department with input from various divisions. The park is enclosed with a mild steel railing on a plinth wall, and the entrances are defined by piers of limestone which are of a similar design to that used in the memorial.
Facilities
The park boasts a newly renovated playground, all-weather pitch which has been renovated by the Dublin City Council in late 2015, a football pitch and a garden terrace with seating. Various bridges are placed over the River Santry which runs directly through the park into a small lake in the middle where a small island is present which is the home to many animals including swans and ducks. There are various seating areas around the park, primarily facing the park for passersby who want to feed the animals.
References
- ↑ "DITD009 Stardust Memorial | Dublin City Council". www.dublincity.ie. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ↑ Grannymar (2012-03-25). "Stardust". Grannymar. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ↑ dublinarchivist (2013-08-11). "Stardust Memorial Park Leaflet (1993)". Coolock History. Retrieved 2016-04-27.