No Man’s Land, River Liffey

A Desert Island moored on the River Liffey for the opening of the Dublin Fringe Festival. A concept by artist Fergal McCarthy was designed, constructed and installed using our construction expertise and extensive marine knowledge.

Devising a technical plan for the construction, transport and mooring of the desert island art installation on the River Liffey west of the Samuel Beckett Bridge.
It was a highlight for the launch of the Absolute Fringe Festival and went on to win the best Off-Site Production Award.
This complicated venture included working closely with Water Ways Ireland and Dublin City Council to ensure the structure was compliant with regulations.
The sub structure was essentially a ten metre wide pontoon constructed using dozens of plastic barrels framed in a wooden box. The super structure was formed using lengths of 2*1 crafted in a vaguely hemispherical profile.
The surface was clad with marine ply and finished with a layer of a sandy resin. Two palm trees were installed replete with flood lighting and battery power so that the island could be illuminated from dusk. An a-line tent was pitched concealing a hatch entry into the bowels of the structure.
As the artist spent a week marooned there, there was requirement for shelter and basic supplies.
The structure was moored/anchored west of the Samuel Beckett Bridge in the middle of the 120 metre wide river for two weeks as a highlight for the launch of the festival.
It was constructed in Grand Canal Dock and was towed into place using 2 ribs through the lock and up the River Liffey where it was expertly moored in place allowing it to move with the tide.
24 hour security was provided for the duration of the project.
Featured in The Irish Times, The Sunday Times, RTE News, and Morning Ireland
Winner of the Best Off-Site production award at the Fringe Festival Awards.