Competition Overview

Competition Overview

The purpose of the Competition is to commission a sculpture garden that appropriately and respectfully commemorates Ireland’s journey towards self determination, the creation of the Irish Republic and the realisation of republican ideals in contemporary and future generations.

The Competition is being organised on a two-stage basis.

Stage 1: Comprises the submission of a detailed concept/approach by Applicants. The nature of the Garden and its components and the medium and format through which it is to be delivered are open to the suggestions of the applicant. The competition is open to individuals and consortia and to professional and non-professional applicants. A Competition Jury, assisted by a Technical Advisory Group, will select a maximum of 5 applications to be shortlisted to proceed to Stage 2. The Stage 1 Competition brief can be viewed here.

Stage 2: Those shortlisted will be required to submit their detailed and specific proposals for each stage of the design, planning and realisation of the Sculpture Garden with detailed costings and mechanisms for realisation, as required by the Stage 2 briefing documents, which will be provided. Those invited to make Stage 2 applications will be invited to Áras an Uachtaráin to view the site. Officials from Áras an Uachtaráin and specialists from the OPW will be on hand to answer questions and to provide clarifications required.

An award of €2,000 will be paid to the shortlisted Competitors on receipt of Stage 2 submissions that meet the Competition requirements. The Jury, assisted by the Tecnnical Advisory Group, will meet to evaluate the Stage 2 submissions using the evaluation criteria for Stage 2 of the competition. The Jury will advise the President on the merits of each proposal and the President will choose his preferred design, which will then be constructed. 

Shortlisted Applicants will be required to provide evidence of tax compliance as part of their Stage 2 submission

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

The timetable for the Competition is set out below. The dates are indicative only and are subject to change by the Office of the President.

By entering the competition, applicants agree that their designs and proposals may be made available to the public, including on the President’s website.  

Technical Advisors

Competition Organisation

The Competition is being organised and administered by the Office of the President of Ireland. All queries in respect of the Competition should be addressed in writing to: -

[email protected] or

Sculpture Garden Design Competition

Áras an Uachtaráin.

Phoenix Park

Dublin.