Sun Sep 15 15:06:37 UTC 2024: ## Love Seat Made From River Trash Takes Pride of Place on Dublin’s Liffey
**Dublin, Ireland** – A vibrant, spiraling love seat made entirely from plastic waste pulled from the River Liffey has been unveiled on North Wall Quay, bringing a splash of color and a message of environmental awareness to the city.
Artist Rhona Byrne, inspired by a desire to “take action and make change,” created the sculpture using millions of pieces of plastic collected by the Liffey Sweeper, a vessel dedicated to cleaning the river. Byrne worked with the Irish Nautical Trust and polymer engineers Paltech to transform the waste into colorful sheet material.
“It’s an act of love and hope,” said Byrne, highlighting the sculpture’s celebration of the community’s care for the Liffey. “It reminds us of the need for more civic pride and togetherness.”
The artist expressed astonishment at the sheer volume of litter traveling down the river, praising the Liffey Sweeper team for their tireless work in “fighting against wind, rain, and tide” to collect the waste.
Jimmy Murray, the brainchild behind the Liffey Sweeper, echoed Byrne’s sentiments. He revealed plans to increase the vessel’s effectiveness, aiming to collect 98% of the river’s waste.
Ray Yates, Dublin City Council’s Arts Officer, commended Byrne and her team for their commitment to sustainable art, creating a “wonderful piece of sculpture that all Dubliners and visitors to our city will be able to enjoy.”
While the sculpture’s official name remains undisclosed, Dubliners are known for their creative, albeit sometimes irreverent, re-christenings of public works of art. Only time will tell what nickname the love seat earns, as the city prepares to embrace its colorful new addition.
First Piper 