Birr's "gateway" sculpture chosen

A gateway sculpture to stand on the Tullamore Road outside Birr has been chosen. The sculpture - "Looking to the Future" by Meath artist Ann Meldon-Hugh - is one of four that went on public display in Birr's civic offices last May. The sculpture nods its head to Birr's culture, sporting prowess and scientific heritage. It will be made by a local contractor and Banagher Concrete, with construction planned to begin next summer. Offaly County Council embarked on the commissioning process for a gateway sculpture for Birr earlier this year, as recommended under the Birr Public Realm Plan. Some 30 artists from all over Ireland and the UK submitted proposals for sculptures that would act as an innovative response to Birr's cultural and environmental heritage and create an iconic focal point for the public living in and passing through Birr town. A selection panel comprising Rachel McKenna, Emma Nee Haslam, Jock Nichol, Michael Fortune, Frank Heslin, Cllr Michael Loughnane and Cllr John Carroll shortlisted those submissions to four. Public displays of the shortlisted submissions were made and put on display last May, with the public invited to make comments on the proposals. "We were delighted with the responses people gave," arts officer Sinead O'Reilly said. "Some of the models evoked strong reactions and the panel considered these carefully. The proposal chosen was the one that most people responded positively towards, intimating a strong sense of curiosity and aspiration and one which also would prove to be durable and timeless." Artist behind the sculpture proposal Ann Meldon-Hugh said she wanted to reflect the lively contemporary arts and culture of Birr in her creation. "The figures surrounding the sculpture will reflect musicians, singers, dancers and sporting figures swirling around the central column; the figure on top, looking through a telescope, acknowledges Birr's scientific heritage and a symbol of looking to the future," she explained. News of the successful proposal was somewhat delayed as a rigorous health and safety procedure had to be carried out to ensure all subcontractors that would be involved in the project were compliant. "This delayed the process of being able to go public with the result of the commissioning process," Ms O'Reilly said, "but we are happy that this has all been satisfied, and in particular that we are able to use a local contractor and Banagher Concrete in the making of the work." Next Thursday, December 13, Ms Meldon-Hugh will meet with senior students in St Brendan's Community School to discuss the sculpture, while interested locals are invited to a meeting at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on the same day between 3pm and 6.30pm. "The final figures reflecting life in Birr have not yet been decided and I want to make sure I have not missed anything, so I am really keen to discuss the sculpture with people in Birr before it is made," the artist said.