Announcing the installation of the An Chluain by Holgar C. Lönze

South Dublin County Council is delighted to announce the Installation of the An Chluain by Artist Holgar C. Lönze, a major new artwork in bronze commissioned by South Dublin County Council under the Monastery Road Improvement Scheme and In Context 5 Public Art Programme, with support from South Dublin County Council’s Public Realm Section. 

This sculpture is designed to make the hidden archaeological heritage of Clondalkin visible, marking the important 8th century monastic settlement near the salmon-rich Camac River. The placename Clon or Cluain suggests a monastic enclosure, hermitage or sanctuary and Crónán Mac Bécáin, son of Lugaid, who died in 637, is the local saint associated with it. He is mentioned in the 9th C. Karlsruhe Calendar, a manuscript compiled in Glendalough, where he was an associate of St. Kevin.

Two 3.2m high gable sections resembling a medieval oratory, form a gateway that aligns with a ‘door’ element which is back-lit with the text of a medieval manuscript that mentions Crónán. The artwork forms a landmark visible from the road while being accessible to pedestrians via a newly created path through a raised area resembling a historic lucht.

The sculpture is shaped by hand, in bronze sheet by Kerry-based sculptor Holger Lönze, using the ancient repoussé process of alternative heating and hammering, a sustainable, low-carbon approach to public sculpture with great significance for Irish archaeology. The brown patina of the door element contrasts with the green/blue of the gables and textured surfaces resemble rippling water of the river.

‘The artwork is a contemporary visual link to the important heritage of the area and contributes to a strong and unique sense of place’, says sculptor Holger Lönze.

Monastery Road Improvement Scheme involved the upgrading of pedestrian facilities on Monastery Road to improve general walking and cycling conditions along the route from Clondalkin Village to the Redcow Luas Station. These works included the provision of zebra crossings, raised table top ramps with raised pedestrian crossing on side roads at junctions, bus ramps, widening and renewal of footpaths between Clondakin Village and Redcow Luas Station, traffic calming on Monastery Road, installation of signalized pedestrian crossings at SIAC and Ibis Roundabouts, installation of a staircase at the Redcow Luas Station end and landscaping all along the scheme.

An Chluain was commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s Land Use Planning and Transportation Department with the support of the Arts Office and Public Realm Section, through the Monastery Road Improvement Scheme and the In Context 5 Per Cent for Art Programme under funding arising from Watery Lane housing construction scheme. The commission is funded by the National Transport Authority, South Dublin County Council and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

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For further information please contact: Orla Scannell, Arts Officer, South Dublin County Council. Email: oscannell@sdublincoco.ie