Simply the best

A new sculpture is settling into its new home at Kent Train Station.

Entitled ‘Our Crew Are the Best’, the piece was created as part of a programme to assist those convicted of crimes to reintegrate into the community.

The location was chosen following a nationwide search for a spot that would enable the public to view the sculpture and it can be seen on the green near the entrance of the station.

The piece reflects the theme of colleagues working together in teams on large engineering projects. The materials including railway tracks and wooden sleepers reflect this. The concept was developed with the trainees through to a final design.

The sculpture was made by trainees tutored in metal work at PACE (Prevention Accommodation Community and Enterprise) workshop in Coolock, Dublin during an Artists in Prisons workshop with sculptor Donna Cooney.

PACE is a voluntary sector organisation that works with people with convictions for a wide range of criminal offences.

The main materials were donated by Iarnród Éireann from its historic Inchicore Works, which will mark 175 years of operation later this year.

The donation consisted of a twenty foot steel railway track girder cut in three and eight weather-treated wooden railway sleepers.

Maggie Clune, the Training and Social Enterprise Manager at PACE commented: “We at PACE are delighted that our sculpture has found such a brilliantly appropriate forever home.

“We are thrilled that – when restrictions are lifted - so many Iarnród Éireann commuters in Cork will get to enjoy this amazing piece of art!”

This project was funded by the Arts Council and the Irish Prison Service, with support from PACE and Iarnród Éireann.