Katy Goodhue’s Goats [Dillon’s Park, Coliemore Road]

Katy Goodhue’s Goats [Dillon’s Park, Coliemore Road]

Recently I visited Dillon’s Park and I could not find these two concrete goats.

I originally photographed this example of public art in March 2008. At the time I did not process the photographs because I did not know anything about the artist and I could not establish the name of the little public park on Coliemore Road.

A few days ago I came across the following information by accident.

MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE AREA COMMITTEE 22 NOVEMBER 2010

Fixing of Goat sculptures in Dillon’s Park, Dalkey

Question: Councillor S. Fitzpatrick - “To ask the Manager to fix the damage to the goat sculptures in Dillon’s Park, Coliemore Road, Dalkey, and to ask the Manager to explore the feasibility of installing a more robust goat sculpture in replace of the concrete sculpture?”

Reply: In 2007, dlr Arts Office engaged Jason Ellis, a sculpture conservator, to undertake a condition audit of the public sculptures in the County. It was noted that Katy Goodhue’s Goats, sited in Dillon’s Park, ‘would be hard to restore/conserve’.

In 2008, the Public Art Steering Group developed internal guidelines around the decommissioning of artworks sited in public places in the County. Deaccession is the complete removal of an artwork from public display and from the County Collection of public artwork and would only take place after a considered process.

Certain conditions have to apply before an artwork would be considered for deaccession, for example, if the work has significantly deteriorated or if it requires a level of maintenance and/or conservation which constitutes an unsustainable expenditure level.

This sculpture is on the list of public artworks to be actioned over the course of the next arts strategy. Due to the poor condition of the sculpture, the Arts Office will be recommending that the work be decommissioned. At present, due to financial constraints, the commissioning and installation of a new sculpture at that location will not be feasible.

Contact: Kenneth Redmond, Arts Officer, Environment, Culture & Community