East Gate Park – Fethard

Fethard contains the most intact town walls in Ireland with 90% still intact. These walls date to the end of the 13th Century when the first murage grant was made available. However years of development saw these walls becoming absorbed within the fabric of contemporary town. The adoption by Tipperary County Council of the Fethard Public Realm Plan in 2008 and the intention to make accessible these structures where possible set the scene for the development of East Gate park.
Formerly the location of two ruined houses, the clearing of the site reinstated a historic precedent, where development immediately outside the walls was prohibited to prevent unauthortised entry to the town.

Cathal O’Meara Landscape Architects were tasked with meeting members of the local community, designing the park and securing planning permission for East Gate Park. This complex site contains specific designations due to the medieval town wall which imposed constraints on the design.

Planning permission was received from both Tipperary County Council and the National Monuments Service. Ongoing grant assistance from The Irish Walled Town Network is enabling continuous conservation works to the existing historic structures.