The Liffey Swim
Every time I walk across the Liffey River in Dublin, the river grabs my attention and I marvel at this enormous, natural space in the middle of the city.
- Fergal McCarthy
Fergal McCarthy swam a 2.2 km stretch of the river from Watling Street Bridge to the Custom House (following the course of the official Liffey Swim) in August 2007. The swim was filmed and the resulting video will be the centrepiece of a show to open at Castletown House on October 21, 2007.
A series of photographs were shot of the actual swim and a series of large, collage based paintings will also be shown focusing on the Liffey, its history and relevance to the artist and to Irish lives.
It is very fitting to be showing this work in the OPWs beautifully restored Castletown House in Celbridge in Co. Kildare, given that the Liffey flows along the boundaries of the estate. Castletowns own historic Liffey Riverside Walk is currently being restored by the OPW and is due to open in 2009.
Fergal McCarthy is one of the first artists to exhibit in this beautifully restored house.
For further information:
Christine Monk | 01675 0840 | christinemonk@eircom.net
George Moir | OPW 087 231 4537 | George.moir@opw.ie
Artists Statement
I am fascinated by the river Liffey in
I find myself wondering why more is not made of this river? From the middle of these bridges the long, wide vista never fails to impress and intrigue me. Its the novelty of a natural space happily or unhappily co-existing in the midst of an urban one that intrigues me.
It seems like such a neglected resource. A once busy waterway that carried so much traffic and attendant life, now somehow forgotten as a main artery of the city. I wonder if the pollution and litter has an effect on how we value the river? Do we turn our backs on it because its not clean?
Dublin does not seem to have the same relationship with its principal river as other cities like Paris, Bangkok or Stockholm. I wonder why this is the case?
Building the boardwalk, illuminating the bridges and starting the docklands riverboat is a beginning but I think a mind-shift is needed, a new relationship has to be constructed between the Liffey and the people who populate the city it divides.
For many years I had a romantic dream to swim down the Liffey alone at high tide, making use of the river in a physical way and reclaiming its presence for the city in the process.
When I made the swim earlier this year, passers-by were challenged by the incongruity and apparent madness of one person swimming down this polluted body of water. I hope this single act addressed in the viewer the questions of usefulness, neglect and ownership surrounding its current status. The idea that one person is prepared to swim down it might initiate dialogue about other ways we could appreciate and use this river.
By dedicating an exhibition to this swim, a far greater audience gains access to the concept.
I am interested in the official Liffey Swim which takes place annually and I believe its another great way of addressing our relationship with the river. The sight of 330 people swimming in the Liffey impacts strongly on viewers and asks some of the same questions that I address in this exhibition. However its essence is a sporting event and its large profile and history allow it a general acceptance.
My project is quite different, its about one person randomly swimming and interacting very personally with this precious body of water. Its an individual journey (not a race) which has potential impact on our collective relationship with this body of water.
Fergal McCarthy Biography
· Born Limerick 1973, lives and works in Dublin, Ireland.
· Self taught artist
· Travelled extensively in Asia, Oceania and Europe developing work for solo shows 1996-1999
· Solo Exhibitions: Frank Lewis, Kerry; Cill Rialaig, Kerry; Origin Gallery, Dublin; Notting Hill Arts Club, London; Cobden Club, London; The Back Loft, Dublin
· Residencies: Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan, Cill Rialaig, Kerry
