As we reported in the last issue of ‘Newsfour’, the famous twin chimneys in Poolbeg are set to be illuminated at night, thanks to the efforts of Irish artist, Patrick O Reilly.
The project is now at the costing stage with a committee set up to provide a detailed appraisal of the sums involved. At the moment, private enterprise looks set to provide at least some of the estimated 2 million euro outlay.
Since the idea was first mooted during the summer, Patrick has received a lot of positive feedback from the public as well as Dublin City Council.
The illumination will consist of permanent lighting on the 220metre-tall chimneys, which have been a distinctive landmark on the Dublin landscape since their construction in the 1960s.
The lighting will be designed and installed by a French company Bideau, who have worldwide experience of lighting large public structures. It is likely the illumination will follow a similar style to the technology used to light the Eiffel Tower, pictured above, an installation Bideau was responsible for.
You will get some idea of what Poolbeg Chimneys could look like at night, if you visit the Eiffel Tower website at www.tower-eiffel.fr.
While the Kilkenny-born artist waits on a final decision from Government, a petition has been launched to help bring the proposed installation to Poolbeg. You can view it and add your name to the petition at www.petitiononline.com/poolbeg.
Patrick anticipates the installation will have a positive impact on the area and will add a new dimension to the natural beauty of the peninsula. He says “the E.S.B are only caretakers for the chimneys and ultimately, the twin towers are like two old friends, who belong to the people.”
The intention is to light the chimney for ten minutes every hour, with the lights and wiring invisible during the day. For special occasions and once-off events, the chimneys could be lit for longer periods.
If by some chance, Irish athletes manage to strike gold at the next Olympics, Poolbeg could brighten their journey home with a spectacular lightshow.