The Wired & The Wonderful

David O'Reilly on letting his art get big. And heavy.

It started out as a new hobby, something to wile away the hours during those endless lockdown days.

Today, David O’Reilly could really do with an endless day or two, to keep up with the demand for his wire sculptures and stainless steel creations.

“It got to a point where my wife had to sit me down and tell me that, no matter what I said, or who ordered what, we were going on holiday this year,” laughs Dave as we met up on Theatre Lane this evening. “I keep thinking, okay, when I’ve done these two commissions, I’ll take a break.

“But then I’ll get a call from The Irish Rangers. Or a mother who wants to pay tribute to her late daughter. And my mind is instantly starts racing through all the possibilities when it comes to once again creating something unique.”

Dave’s latest creation is a 2-metre fairy that’s looming over us as we speak, having been commissioned by Ross McParland as a centre-piece to the Theatre Lane flower beds. It’s the lad’s first life-size creation but, “that’s what I love the most – taking on the challenge of something that I haven’t done before.”

Despite having only just turned his hand in late 2020 to his now-daily passion, O’Reilly has found himself being featured in The Sunday Times and The Irish Times, and on RTÉ Nationwide. And just to add to the bonkers of the past year, his new neighbour just happens to be Bressie.