OPW launches new Edwin Lutyens Exhibition in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens

On this, the eve of the National Commemorations in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, The Office of Public Works is delighted to announce a new Exhibition celebrating the work of the world renowned Architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lutyens, whose mother was an Irish woman, Mary Gallwey.

This informative and very interesting Exhibition was compiled to commemorate the work of Luytens in Ireland and is appropriately located in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens which was designed by Luytens. The Gardens were created as a magnificent and fitting tribute to the 49,400 Irish Soldiers who fought during the four year conflict of The Great War and are characteristic of his style of simple dignity.

The Irish National War Memorial Gardens occupy an area of about eight hectares on the southern banks of the River Liffey, almost opposite the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park and approximately three kilometres from the centre of Dublin. The Gardens are located at a place of historical, cultural and geographical importance. Some 450,000 people visit these exquisite and tranquil gardens annually.

Lutyens designed other sites throughout Ireland including the Castle and associated buildings on Lambay Island, Heywood Gardens and the Tower and Chapel at Howth Castle.

Heywood Gardens, is an 18th century romantic landscape garden in the care of the OPW, consists of gardens, terraces, lakes, woodland and architectural features. These gardens are open to the public all year round.

The Exhibition consists of 16 information panels which radiate out from the Temple facing towards the Liffey. These panels highlight Luytens Architectural genius and his close connections with Ireland through his family and his many commissions. The free Exhibition is available to be viewed from this Saturday 13 July, during daylight opening hours of the Park.

ENDS

For further information, please contact OPW Client Services and Communications Unit at opwcsc@opw.ie

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Building work on the Irish National War Memorial Gardens was completed in 1938 and they opened in 1940. But, in the decades after the Second World War, they became derelict. The Office of Public Works, in conjunction with the Trustees of the Gardens later carried out extensive restoration, and the Gardens reopened and were formally dedicated in 1988. To this day the Trustees of the Gardens are paramount in the success story that the Gardens have been.

This is a site of commemorative, historical, archaeological - architectural and horticultural interest, offering numerous themes and stories which deserve to be consolidated and communicated to the hundreds of thousands of visitors received each year.

For further information and high res images, please contact Thérése Casey at therese.casey@opw.ie

Listings Information

• Location: Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Inchicore, Dublin 8
• Event: Sir Edwin Lutyens Exhibition
• Dates: 13 July 2019
• Admission: FREE

Guided tours of the Gardens are available upon request.

Reservations - Please contact michael.herbert@opw.ie

Full Information on all OPW Heritage Sites are available on www.heritageireland.ie.