Dublin’s Poolbeg Chimneys are Set for A Fresh Coat of Paint
The Iconic structures will finally be getting some much needed repairs and a lick of paint this year.
Dominating the city’s skyline since they were built in 1969 and 1977, the smokestacks have become one of Dublin’s most beloved landmarks. They have appeared on t-shirts, art prints, postcards, posters and keyrings. They have been recreated in Lego, novelty socks and candles and even featured in the video for one of U2’s most famous songs, Pride (In The Name Of Love). But anyone who has been to Poolbeg recently will have noticed their current state.
It comes as no surprise that they are looking a bit rusty and faded, they were decommissioned in 2010 and have been stood next to the Irish Sea and a sewage treatment plant for over 40 years. The Poolbeg Stacks were never built to last. The first tower was designed by Maurice O’Sullivan of the ESB Civil Works Department with a predicted operational life of 30 to 40 years.
The first tower cost £350,000 to build and was constructed using a technique known as slipform. This is where concrete is poured into a mould, once dry the mould is moved upwards and filled with concrete again. This process was repeated until they reached the great height of 207 metres.
When the smokestacks were originally commissioned in the 1960’s, they were designed with a purpose and a function. They we never intended to be a cultural landmark. The famous red and white stripes were not an aesthetic choice but rather a way to make them stand out against the sky for passing airplanes.
In 2014 ESB considered demolishing the towers, causing outrage around the city. They cited the cost of maintenance and the fact they were no longer in use. But the people of Dublin would not let the chimneys fall without a fight. In July 2014 they were listed as protected structures and in 2015 the DCC added steel caps to the tops of the towers to provide stability, securing their medium-term future.
The Poolbeg towers really have become a symbol for the city. When you fly out of Dublin, they are the last thing you see, waving you off on a safe journey and the first thing you see on the way home, giving you a warm welcome.
As you look down at Dublin’s docklands, passed all the fancy new office blocks housing financial institutes and tech giants, the thing that catches your eye the most is those red and white towers. Still dominating the skyline, a reminder of our industrial past.
Work on the Poolbeg Towers is expected to start shortly and will take two years to complete at a cost of €5 million.
