Restless: Liffey Love

Location:  North Wall Quays facing south towards the confluence of the River Dodder

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Restless: Liffey Love is a public art commission created using waste plastic debris rescued from the River Liffey and returned to the Liffey quaysides in the form of two love seat sculptures. This project explores our entanglement with matter, waterbodies, place, and one another through communities of care. It reflects on connection and considers what it means to love our city, to reimagine the flow of materials that shape everyday life and to cultivate a shared sense of civic responsibility and belonging. Through a collaborative process, conversation and site-based work, Rhona worked with the Irish Nautical trust on the Liffey Sweeper to collect and sort plastic waste from the River Liffey. The artwork was realised through the artists team Paltech Polymer Engineers, The Irish Nautical Trust, Billings Jackson Design, Steel Smith and with the support of Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club and Dublin City Council Arts office. 

The project was launched in two parts on Culture Night in September 2023 at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club where an exhibition about the project was presented. Guests also accompanied Rhona Byrne and Jimmy Murray of the Irish Nautical Trust on The Liffey Ferry – the oldest ferry in Ireland – for a trip along the River Liffey to hear about Liffey Love. On Sept 15th 2024 a second event launched the sculptures Restless : Liffey Love gathering local communities and collaborators. Boats gathered on the Liffey and The Liffey Loves singing group, formed for this event, wore bright berets and performed a series of songs and Mtumbeii played saxophone which travelled across the river.