Craftitecture’s Cruth Curach to be installed in Merrion Square

Cruth Curach, a dramatic temporary pavilion based on the shape of currach boats, will be installed in Merrion Square during this weekend’s OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN (Friday 7 October to Sunday 9 October 2011). Cruth Curach will act as a venue for events over the weekend. Winner of the ‘Craftitecture’ competition organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation and the Crafts Council of Ireland, Cruth Curach was designed and handcrafted by architects Bulcholz McEvoy and Jim and Conall Horgan of the Galway School of Boat Building and constructed using the form of five currachs, in celebration of the Year of Craft 2011 on the island of Ireland.

Over the Open House Dublin weekend, there will be a series of talks, conversations and performances in Cruth Curach, that reconnect the disciplines of architecture and craft. Highlights include:

• Cruth Curach: the story of Craftitecture – Bulcholz McEvoy Architects converse with Jim Horgan, Master Builder Galway School of Boat Builders;
• Clancy Moore Architects share their experiences of collaborating with craftspeople;
• Garrett O’Hagan shows examples from his collection of modern and contemporary chair designs and tells the stories behind them;
• the Craft & Architecture Walking Tour, led by OPW architect Angela Rolfe and applied art historian Dr. Nicola Gordon Bowe, which begins at Cruth Curach;
• and Pipe Up – a wake-up call with pipers from Na Píobairí Uilleann.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Irish Architecture Foundation on this exciting project to celebrate Year of Craft 2011”, commented Louise Allen, Education and Innovation Manager at the Crafts Council of Ireland. “The line up of events in Cruth Curach during Open House Dublin will give visitors a fantastic opportunity to learn more about craft and architecture in a unique venue.”