Sign the Petition to Enable the Renaming of Bishop Lucey Park to "Páirc na mBan, Chorcaí"
Bishop Lucey Park is located in the centre of Cork on Grand Parade and is one of the most widely used public spaces in the city centre.
In 2025. to honour the women and children who suffered institutional abuse under the leadership of Bishop Lucey, Workers Party President, Cllr. Ted Tynan called on the Council to rename the park. He explained that it was "under Bishop Cornelius Lucey’s watch and term of office and administrator, both as serving priest and bishop of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, much of the abuse, documented, proven or alleged, be it sexual or physical or psychological, occurred”.
He proposed that in view of the Ryan Report, the McAleese Report and the most recent Report of The Scoping Enquiry into Sexual Abuse in schools run by Religious Orders, Cork City Council should remove his name from the public park
Cllr. Tynan suggested that the park be renamed “Páirc na mBan Chorcaí” to “honour to the women and girls who were victims of the institutional abuse that occurred under his reign both as priest and bishop and also to do honour to the women of Cork who participated valiantly in our War of Independence, such as Muriel McSweeney and Mary McSweeney among others”.
He also added that the name would “celebrate the lives of Cork women who have distinguished themselves in Poetry, Literature, Theatre, Music, Art and Academia and those who have voluntarily contributed to the causes of Social Justice through various forms of community work and campaigning for betterment of social conditions throughout the city.”
Since it was introduced in the Council, the process has been stalled due to a number of legislative issues outlined below. To circumvent the problems, the Workers Party in Cork have set up a petition which aims to pressure the Department of Housing to change the name of the park. The issues and a link to the petition are below.
SIGN THE PETITION TO RENAME THE PARK
The Issue: Bishop Lucey Park had recently undergone redevelopment, presenting a unique opportunity to rename the space to reflect modern values. We are calling for the park to be renamed Páirc na mBan Chorcaí (Cork Women's Park) to honour the women and girls of Cork, particularly victims of institutional abuse and those who contributed to the War of Independence.
The Goal: We are lobbying TDs to introduce or update regulations that would allow local authorities like Cork City Council to legally hold a ballot or plebiscite to rename heritage sites and public places, a process currently stalled due to legislative gaps.
Why His Name Must Go: A History of Institutional Abuse and Control
Under Bishop Lucey’s authority, institutions like the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home operated with extreme neglect. A Commission of Investigation report revealed that 923 children died at Bessborough between 1922 and 1998, with the vast majority buried in unmarked graves.
St. Anne’s Adoption Society: Founded by Bishop Lucey in 1954, this society has been accused of baby trafficking, specifically targeting Irish women in Britain to have their babies repatriated for adoption.
Magdalene Laundries: During his "reign," women were confined to Magdalene Laundries in Cork, where they were forced into unpaid labour under harsh, punitive conditions as "penance".
Resistance to Social Change
Opposition to Women's Rights: Bishop Lucey was a vocal opponent of social progress, famously using his pulpit to denounce any moves toward secularisation, divorce, or expanded reproductive rights for women.
Blocking Oversight: Historical records show that the Church under his leadership often resisted State inspections and accountability, arguing that religious institutions were subject to canon law rather than civil oversight.
Clerical Abuse Scandal
A "Watch" of Silence: Campaigners point out that much of the physical, psychological, and sexual abuse documented in reports like the Ryan and McAleese Reports occurred under his watch as both a priest and Bishop of the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Honouring Survivors: The park’s namesake, Bishop Cornelius Lucey, presided over a period when thousands of women and girls suffered in institutions like Bessborough and the Good Shepherds.
Recognising Heroes: The new name, Páirc na mBan Chorcaí, would also celebrate women who fought in the War of Independence (like Muriel and Mary McSweeney) and those who have shaped Cork’s art and social justice.
A Modern Space: The redeveloped park, which officially reopened in late 2025, is a "fusion of heritage and modern design" that should reflect the values of the city today.
The Legislative Hold-Up
Despite a majority of Cork City Council members voting to review or change the name, the process is currently blocked.
Missing Regulations: Under the Local Government Act 2001, renaming a public place requires a "ballot of qualified electors" (residents).
The "Resident" Problem: Because the park has no human residents, the current national regulations do not provide a clear legal mechanism for holding a vote for a public park.
Ministerial Delay: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has yet to issue the updated regulations needed to allow councils to bypass this resident-specific requirement.
What You Can Do to Change It
Lobby Your TDs: Demand that the Minister for Local Government signs the necessary regulations to allow local authorities to rename public spaces without residential ballots.
Support Devolved Power: Join the call for renaming powers to be fully devolved to local councils, allowing them to set their own rules for public plebiscites.
Sign the Petition: Help demonstrat e that there is a city-wide mandate for change, which can pressure the Department of Housing to act.