The Diamond is one of the oldest and most significant urban spaces in the county.
In this project, the highest quality materials and street fittings are used to make a series of spaces that reflect the civic and historical importance of the area. The overall approach was to repave the pedestrian public realm in a combination of local Mountcharles Sandstone, black and grey granite and reuse some of the exiting paving dating from the original public realm, the combination of which gave warmth and dynamism to this expansive accessible surface. The project includes new street furniture, new tree planting, seating and public lighting.
These elements are added to the previous public realm works and bring new public activity to the centre of the town and reassert the significance of the Diamond as a focal point for civic life. Though specific to context, place and local materials, the project is characterised by an openness to facilitate any size or nature of assembly or informal gathering. The bespoke public lighting is a dramatic feature that has improved the safety and comfort for users availing of the active night-time economy of Donegal Town. The linear strip light actively links the Sandstone 4 Masters monument to the new covered seating space.
Completing the original 1990 intention to provide a bandstand, a covered space in the third of the 3 rings, is a dramatic tensile structure canopy that provides protection from the elements of sun or rain, its long half round seating extending the stay-time so all may experience the impressive streetscape of this traditional Irish Town in comfort. Materials and original street furniture removed during the course of construction will be reused in a number of smaller Local Authority projects around Donegal Town.
