Twelve tall masts with beacons that can be seen all over Dublin are one of the features of a development for the Smithfield area. The architects who won Dublin Corporation's competition to make
Smithfield "the major civic space for Dublin in the 21st century"
yesterday began a process of public consultation to outline their plans.
Ms Siobhan Ni Eanaigh, of the Drogheda-based firm, McGarry Ni
Eanaigh, said the masts would be used to light Smithfield Market.
The beacons at the top of the masts would be lit to mark major civic, national or world events. The city's eyes would be drawn towards
Smithfield, Ms Ni Eanaigh said.
The existing cobble stones are damaged, she added, and walking on them is difficult. The architects plan to preserve them but with an overlay which would allow them to take buggies and wheelchairs.
Smithfield Market, which is 350 years old, is the city's largest open space - as big as the Piazza Navona in Rome. Ms Ni Eanaigh said the area is now being used extensively as "a surplus car park". The architects' plan entails the "active discouragement of long-term car parking".
A weighbridge, which brings heavy vehicles into the area, is to be removed. The use of Smithfield as a short cut by people who have no business in the market is also to be discouraged. Mr Sean Carey, assistant city manager, said however that Smithfield is "a living, working community and you cannot exclude the car".
The architects' plan emphasises Dublin Corporation's wish to retain Smithfield as a lively market. While other cities such as
London and Paris have moved markets out of the centre to the suburbs,
Dublin Corporation believes this would be a mistake. The city architect, Mr Jim Barrett, also said yesterday that the design would have to take account of the fact that it rains rather a lot in Dublin and the users of the Smithfield Market would have to be kept dry under cover.