New street art sculpture is installed in Woodquay

Drinkers at Foley’s Hop House in Woodquay would be forgiven for thinking they have a most unusual beer garden of late.

A sculpture which resembles a sideways stack of chairs has taken over two car spaces outside the pub.

The project known as a street parklet was inspired by a San Francisco initiative first seen in a day-long venture in 2005 where a piece of art takes over a car space and acts as an additional public amenity space to “improve liveability in the area and to help the social and economic development”.

The work is being trialled for six weeks to demonstrate alternative uses of public spaces. It will be included as an example of partnership in Galway’s bid to win the European Capital of Culture 2020 designation.

It was the brainchild of Galway City Council architect Rosie Webb, a native of Chicago, where this kind of public art has gained traction.

The extravagant bench was designed by five architecture students from the University of Limerick who have been awarded bursaries, four from Brazil and one from Galway.

After consultation with the local business and community group – who supported the farmer’s market and the Haka Festival during the Volvo Ocean Race – it was decided to place it outside Foley’s.

The platform and groundwork was carried out by Foley’s, the material donated by local builders JP Corry and plants courtesy of Madden’s Landscaping.

“It didn’t cost the city anything, other than my time to organise it. It’s a temporary project to try and get feedback about this kind of thing. We’re looking at high impact projects that are low cost and whether there are any unintended consequences,” explained Rosie.

“It’s not supposed to be a smoking zone or a drinking spot and it’s not intended to be a place to sleep. There was a fear expressed in the consultation meetings that it would attract antisocial behaviour. The design responds to that – it’s mostly something to lean against, there are places to sit for a time on it but nowhere to lie down.”

The owner of Foley’s, John Lillis, is a native of Salthill, who also has an Irish pub in San Francisco, home of the parklet.

“Initially one or two of the neighbours got upset, they thought it was some kind of outdoor garden I was creating. I explained exactly what it was and they seem to like it. In my opinion it’s worked here immensely.

“Customers just love it. Loads of tourists are coming to see it and have their photo taken on it. They sit down, have a coffee, read a newspaper. It’s not the most comfortable. They’re huge in San Francisco where they’re much more practical and people sit on them reading books.”

If the parklet gets the seal of approval from the public, they may spring up in other locations.

“In San Francisco they don’t even have to be outside businesses yet they attract loads of people. If they are in an area, they can’t do any harm. The feedback here has been very positive.”

Comments can be emailed to architects@galwaycity.ie or given in person at a public critique session at the parklet on Friday, October 16, 3-5pm.