🏆 We’re delighted to announce that ‘Emily Square’ has been shortlisted for ‘Project of the Year’ at this year’s Irish Construction Excellence Awards 2026🏆

Shortlisted in recognition of the transformative redesign of a space that dates back to Athy’s medieval roots, Emily Square has been carefully restored as the heart of the town’s social and economic life. Once primarily a car park, the square is now a flexible, high-quality public realm that welcomes everything from daily gatherings to large social events and festivals. Appointed by Kildare County Council, O’Connor Sutton Cronin joined a collaborative team led by The Paul Hogarth Company to bring a shared vision for Emily Square-and the adjacent Barrow Quay-to life.

The design process featured extensive community engagement, including on-site events, workshops, and 3D traffic simulation presentations to stakeholders and local councillors. The result is a vibrant space featuring natural stone paving, sculptural benches under the new ‘town tree,’ widened footpaths, improved lighting, and flexible event infrastructure-while respecting the heritage of the adjoining Shackleton Museum and the historic Town Hall. Infrastructure works also reallocated road space to pedestrians and vulnerable users, addressed traffic and safety concerns with strategic road configuration, and delivered water and stormwater network upgrades. Together with innovative flood defence landforms on Barrow Quay, the project greatly enhances the town’s relationship with the river.

Emily Square officially reopened to the public on 12th September 2025 after construction began in 2024. We are proud to have provided Civil, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering Consultancy Services, and fulfilled the role of PSDP on this milestone project.

👏 Congratulations to everyone who contributed-and thank you to the community for your vision and support.

Don’t forget, public voting is open: https://iceawards.ie/vote/
The winners will be announced at the ICE Awards Gala Event on 28 May 2026 at The Convention Centre Dublin.

Client: Kildare County Council
Contractor: David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd.
Urban Designer: The Paul Hogarth Company
QS: Cumming Group
Civil,Structural,Mechanical,Electical,Plumbing & PSDP: O’Connor Sutton Cronin