headerphoto

Art and Culture - Monuments & Commemorations

Public Art Commission for Dún Laoghaires' East Marina Breakwater.

To celebrate the completion of the harbours new marina the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company recently commissioned artist, Fiona Mulholland, to create a large scale public sculpture.

The theme for this art work is derived from a familiar maritime symbol and a metaphor for human insecurity and survival.

Close up of Hobblers Monument
Close up of Hobblers Monument

The work entitled "The Commemorative Tower to the Hobblers" is in recognition of the perilous work the Hobbling Community once performed in guiding incoming vessels safely into the port of Dún Laoghaire and assist in mooring right up to the 1930's.

The sculpture, which will be sited on the East Marina Breakwater, will add to this civic amenity being visible from different vantage points within the harbour and enhancing visitor enjoyment.

Hobblers Monument East Marina Breakwater at twilight

The public promenade, accessible by foot, is already a popular attraction providing spectator areas for sailing events and stunning views across the bay and of the town.

Fiona Mulholland, MA in Fine Art Royal College of Art, London, has exhibited widely internationally and her works are held in both public and private collections.

She was recently commissioned to design the awards which will be presented to winning bodies in this years Business2Arts scheme.

The Commemorative Tower to the Hobblers
"The Commemorative Tower to the Hobblers" unveiled in June 2002.

HOBBLING DISASTER

Although hobbling is described in the Oxford Dictionary as "unlicensed pilotage" the hobblers of the East Coast were only involved in tying up the ships at their moorings in Dublin and other Ports. However, on occasions they did pilot some ships into harbour. Many of the hobblers got the approximate time of arrival of the ships from Lloyds Gazette, while others went out in the bay in the hope of sighting a ship.

Hobbling is an old occupation and in all probability goes back to the early decades of the 19th Century when Hutchinson was made Harbour Master of the New Royal Harbour of Kingstown. By the 1940's it had died out as an occupation. This short article was written to the memory of those brave hobblers who lost their lives at sea. May they rest in peace.

V. Quilter C.C.

Hobblers Disaster article

 

Homepage || Content || Art and culture || Monuments

  Printer Friendly VersionPrint with image(s)    Printer Friendly VersionPrint without image(s)