Buncrana’s Swan
Park re-opens
27.07.22
SWAN Park was officially
re-opened, last Thursday, by Heather Humphreys TD,
Minister for Rural and Community Development. The park
also received an ecumenical blessing from
representatives of local churches on what was a joyful
day for Buncrana and the wider Inishowen Peninsula.
The minister was joined on the day by a large crowd
including local political representatives, community
groups, local contractors, designers and staff from
Donegal County Council. |
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Minister for Rural and
Community Development Heather Humphreys TD pictured with
students from Scoil Mhuire and Crana College and Ryan
Stewart. |
Swan Park was extensively
damaged in the devastating floods that occurred throughout
the Inishowen peninsula in 2017. The project to redevelop the park was awarded €1.7m
through the Rural Regeneration Fund in 2018 and €500,000 in
co-funding was provided by Donegal County Council.
The redevelopment was overseen by a steering group which
encompassed many local stakeholders such as Buncrana
Tidy Towns Committee and Buncrana Anglers Association.
The West Inishowen Historical Society, Art Link, Wild
Inishowen and transition year students from Scoil Mhuire
and Crana College also contributed to this
community driven project. |
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The newly restored Swan
Park in Buncrana |
The design team for the
park included local architects, engineers and surveyors
who went to great lengths with the steering group to
ensure that the park was accessible for persons of all
abilities. A number of fishing stands have been
developed for wheelchair users and other elements have
been incorporated for those that may be visually
impaired.
The redeveloped park also includes an additional area of
3.5 hectares that increases the opportunity for the park
to be used for a wide variety of community events and
activities. Works on the park were led by Donegal County
Council’s local parks and roads teams with assistance
from a variety of local contractors. |
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The newly restored Swan
Park in Buncrana |
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Swan Park is named after
Harry Percival Swan who was born in Buncrana in 1879.
Harry was a founding member of the County Donegal
Historical Society and a keen promoter of local history.
He was a prolific author who in 1938 published his first
book, the 'Book of Inishowen', which was later followed
by nine other publications including 'Twixt Foyle and
Swilly' and 'Romantic Inishowen'. A bust of Harry Swan
has been erected in the park in his memory to
acknowledge his contribution to Buncrana and the Inishowen
peninsula. |
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