Fingal Arts office and Glenveagh unveil new public art commission at Folkstown, Balbriggan
Fingal County Council Arts Office, in association with Glenveagh, has unveiled a magnificent new public art commission located in Folkstown Park, Balbriggan on the 24th of September 2026. The artwork was created by multidisciplinary artist Luis Enrique Martín and was curated by Aisling Prior, Curator, Office for Art.
'Coexistence Biome', a corten steel sphere of 2.5m in diameter, which over time will be covered by climbers such as Ivy, Dog Rose and Honeysuckle bringing valuable benefits to biodiversity at Folkstown Park. Species that will benefit from this habitat will include small birds, pollinators, butterflies and other small mammals and insects.
This evolving artwork responds to the changes in the Folkstown area of Balbriggan, offering a way for nature to return after the builders have finished their work. More than just a visual presence, the sculpture creates a living refuge, transforming into a layered habitat, providing protection from predators, shelter from harsh weather, and nectar-rich pathways for a diverse community of animals and insects. Its organically perforated surface invites birds to nest and rest, while the flowering plants help restore cycles of feeding and pollination. For the surrounding community, the artwork becomes a shared, living experience. Neighbours can witness the sculpture’s gradual transformation through the seasons, as greenery reclaims the structure and wildlife begins to reappear and inhabit the structure. The return of birdsong and the sound and sight of pollinators brings subtle but meaningful changes to everyday life. The piece also opens opportunities for the local residents’ involvement through providing care for and observation of the wildlife, encouraging a sense of collective stewardship and connection to the landscape. Over time, the artwork will act as a small but significant ecological anchor, helping biodiversity to re-establish and spread. It stands as a reminder that even after disruption, nature can be supported to return and flourish.
Glenveagh commissioned the art piece in line with Fingal's County Development Plan, which ensures that developers include a work of public art as part of all new residential and commercial developments, and is a requirement within planning compliance.
Fingal County Council’s Public Art Commissioning Programme , which is managed through the Arts Office, includes the work of a dedicated curatorial specialist, Aisling Prior, who is one of Ireland's lead curators in the field of public art. This ensures that developers and the artists are supported throughout the process and that every work commissioned has a relationship to the location while showcasing the best of contemporary Irish artists in Fingal.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy said, “Coexistence Biome acts as a reminder of our connection between nature and community. It acts as a growing art piece that will flourish alongside the growing community at Folkstown.”
Fingal County Council's Deputy Arts Officer for Public Art Caroline Cowley explains the benefits of the programme: “The requirement for developers to think about public art as an intrinsic part of their schemes has provided a range of opportunities for artists. These have led to fascinating conversations about biodiversity. Works like Coexistence Biome show us how art can activate a community and be a catalyst for change in our current environmental crisis."
Annette McGarry, Head of Community Engagement at Glenveagh, commented: "Luis Enrique Martín's Coexistence Biome is a wonderful addition to Folkstown Park, and we are delighted to have commissioned it alongside Fingal County Council. It reflects our commitment to the local community and to biodiversity. We look forward to watching it evolve over the coming years, both as a beautiful focal point and as a living habitat."
Artist Luis Enrique Martín said: “Coexistence Biome was conceived with the idea of connecting the new neighbourhood to the land's past and the ecosystems that once inhabited it. This work is like a seed that will naturally evolve into a place of shelter and a source of resources for small birds and pollinators, among others.
The neighbourhood will be able to witness its evolution, and my hope is that it inspires respect and reconnection with nature. In the midst of the current climate crisis, we need to understand that a relationship between humans and non-humans is possible, and that we can live in balance with the natural world, without forgetting that we are merely one part of it.”
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About the artist:
Luis has always been inspired by ‘biophilia’, a concept developed by ecologist, biologist, and naturalist Edward O. Wilson, who researched the innate human connection to nature.
While Spanish born, Luis Enrique’s recent studies at the National College of Art and Design focused on New Media, his work is consistently an exploration of the relationship between technology and the natural world, and of our position as humans within this equation.
“His work provokes the strengthening of our awareness of the importance of caring for the natural world, from which we have progressively become increasingly disconnected in recent decades” Aisling Prior, Curator.
https://luisenriquemartin.com/
About Glenveagh Properties
Glenveagh Properties plc, listed on Euronext Dublin and the London Stock Exchange, is a leading Irish homebuilder.
Supported by innovation and our internal manufacturing capability, Glenveagh is committed to opening access to sustainable, high-quality homes to as many people as possible in flourishing communities across Ireland.
We are focused on two core areas to achieve this: Homebuilding and Partnerships. Our Homebuilding division is the leading provider of own-door single-family homes, primarily in Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area. Our Partnerships division focuses on creating vibrant communities nationwide through a mix of suburban single-family and urban multi-family developments. Often funded or acquired by the state or state entities, these projects enable us to deliver affordable and high-quality housing options for everyone.