TWO Irish artists are expected to make a real splash at this year’s Earagail Arts Festival this weekend with their eccentric boat made from wheelie bins.
The artists, Patrick Bloomer and Nicholas Keogh, who are both from County Down, specialise in transforming everyday junk into art. In 2005, they exhibited their work in the Venice Biennale.
Their unconventional ‘Bin Boat’ was constructed from wheelie bins, washing machine parts, oil barrels and a wheel-barrow. A two-cylinder diesel engine was also modified so that the boat could run on chip fat.
The pair went on a seven week adventure of the busy and turbulent Venice water ways where they ran an after-hours taxi service, did airport runs and explored the many islands in the laguna, including Dead Priest island where Paddy was attacked by barn owls.
The boat had a huge sound system and they were joined on it by musicians including Torsten Lachman, Barry Cullen and David Holmes. It was then on the Irish water ways for seven years but it more recent times it has been lying derelict and unloved.
This installation on Gartan lake, in homage to Colmcille, is the bin boat’s last outing before it becomes a hen house. In the future they intend to publish the Captain’s log which documents the ups and downs of the trip, a case of cabin fever and a bout of wind madness.

Bin Boat – Resurrection

Saturday 24th July & Sunday 25th July

Glebe House & Gallery, Churchill

11am – 6.30pm