Something in the Water and Architecture at the Edge festivals commissioned this installation, with support from Galway County Council. The project builds on the work completed in the Reimagine Headford project (run by Headford Town Team and the Irish Architecture Foundation) and themes identified in the Reimagine Headford report by Deirdre Greaney. In 2022, respondents to the Reimagine Headford community survey outlined the changes they would like to see happen in our square – more shops, markets stalls, cafe and an outdoor community space, such as a band stand, seating or amphitheatre. Changing the square from just a parking area to also include a vibrant commercial and community space – Our Town Square, the Heart of Headford.

The project used a portion of St. Georges Square Headford for a temporary installation – a built form with landscaping elements co-designed, through a series of workshops led by Helena McElmeel Architects, with students from Presentation College Headford. We hope that this project will further highlight the need for more spaces for young people living in Headford and public realm improvements required to allow our town and Main Street to thrive.

This structure was constructed through the skills and generosity of Headford Men’s Shed, with building materials kindly sponsored by Conroy Group, and stone seating supplied by McGraths Cong. We would also like to thank the Headford Lace Project for working with the students to enhance the installation, HCI for providing storage space, the local Galway County Council team, and Tanner Structural Designs for their valuable design support.