The Cork Constitution of 7 January 1860 described the design of the fountain in the following terms: 'The ornamental fountain which Judge Berwick announced his intention of having erected in this city as a memorial of his long connection with the locality as Chairman of Quarter Sessions will shortly stand before us. The design drawn by Sir John Benson has been approved of by the Learned Judge and arrangements have been made for the speedy execution of the work. The structure promises to be of a highly ornamental character. It will consist of a lower basin of moulded and chiselled limestone twenty-two feet in diameter by two feet six inches deep. From the centre of this will rise an ornamental pedestal bearing a circular basin or tazza eight feet six inches in diameter, composed of a single block of limestone and paved with leaves and foliage on the lower edge. Out of this will spring a second pedestal similar to the lower, on which will rest a third basin five feet in diameter, also of limestone. From the centre of this will rise metallic work carrying a pipe. This is to send forth a jet of water which, after rising to a considerable elevation, will fall into the three basins below, and these being overflowed will be converted into so many miniature cascades. The whole height of the structure from the pavement is to be about eighteen feet, and its cost when completed £150.'