MUSEUM & HERITAGE Welcome to Marcon’s Heritage Newsletter.

Throughout this newsletter we highlight some of our recently completed, current and newly awarded projects. Ranging from listed buildings transformed into prestigious literature museums to the fit-out of new build developments that highlight the importance of renewable energy.

The variety of projects highlights Marcon’s experience as a diverse and flexible fit-out contractor capable of delivering projects varying in Cover Image scale and complexity across the UK and Ireland. Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin Museum houses a host of literary treasures from the National Library collection, including the very first copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Enjoy the Read! ‘All Aboard’ at Fry Model Railway Museum

Fingal County Council and award-winning Marcon was appointed as the professional service with an ability Edinburgh based design company Bright appointed Marcon to deliver the exhibition principle exhibition contractor to produce quality products within fit-out of the existing protected cottage responsible for all the specialist joinery a restricted budget. Despite delays and extended Casino Building for Fry required for this unique museum. to the programme Marcon managed Model Railway Museum in Malahide, Dublin. The new museum provides a home There work included manufacturing to accommodate client changes and for the Fry Collection, Europe’s largest and installing a combination of high- continued to take a flexible and model railway collection, comprising more than 300 model trains and developed by quality display cases, custom fixtures proactive approach throughout the Mr Cyril Fry. The train aficionado created and furniture in keeping with the project.” his collection over a 40-year period from historic Casino building. Everything the 1920s until his death, hand-crafting in miniature all the train types that ran in produced was custom designed and Kate McHugh, Ireland since the 1840s. needed to meet the standards expected Director at Bright

The Museum opened to the public in of a nationally significant museum. January 2020. As usual Marcon provided a seamless Marcon completes final chapter at Museum of Literature Ireland.

Marcon has recently completed the fit-out bookshop and a café; not to mention the Marcon was responsible for the of The Museum of Literature Ireland – a rather beautiful and tranquil gardens at the manufacture and installation of specialist new landmark cultural centre in the heart of back of Newman House. joinery, display cases, bespoke metalwork, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. graphics and feature lighting throughout the The exhibition tells the story of Ireland’s space. The company’s joinery workshop Marcon worked closely with internationally literary heritage, from its earliest storytelling played a vital role in the manufacture of acclaimed museum and exhibition traditions to its finest contemporary writers. the specialist joinery ensuring the highest designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates to On display is a host of literary treasures standard of finish was achieved. complete the fit-out which offers immersive from the National Library collection, multimedia exhibitions, literary artefacts, including the very first copy of James historic house tours, research facilities and Joyce’s Ulysses. a digital broadcasting studio, as well as a Kylemore Abbey House and Gardens

Marcon has completed the exhibition fit-out Marcon’s heritage team carried out standing as one of Ireland’s premier at Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s best- the interpretive fit-out of the rooms, cultural and historic sites by enhancing loved and most iconic tourist attractions. manufacturing the specialist joinery visitor’s experience through a variety of throughout and managing the installation ways including; printed panels, multi-media The famous Kylemore Abbey is situated of bespoke display cases, life size interactives, hands-on and self-discovery in Pollacappul, Connemara, Co. Galway jesmonite relief sculptures, graphics and interpretation. and is one of the most significant surviving audio-visual elements within the exhibition. houses and estates in the West of Ireland, and home to the Benedictine Nuns for The project will promote and elevate nearly a century. Kylemore Abbey’s significance and Patrick Kavanagh Visitor Centre

“We found Marcon to be very easy to Monaghan County Council selected Marcon dot to serve both as an exhibition space to deliver the manufacture and fit-out works celebrating the life and work of Patrick work with and extremely efficient. of all bespoke exhibition furniture (plinths, Kavanagh and a multipurpose performance They had a great approach towards map tables, handling tables, reception desk) venue facilitating a wide range of cultural offering solutions for the project, met graphics, display cases and interactives for and social events. the new Patrick Kavanagh Exhibition Centre all agreed deadlines and delivered high in Inniskeen. The centre opened to the public in January quality in terms of their craftmanship 2020. Patrick Kavanagh is regarded as one and on-site support. We were of the foremost Irish poets of the 20th delighted with their overall service century. The exhibition centre outlines and the final product.” Kavanagh’s life story and includes paintings, informational panels and memorabilia items.

Dympna Condra The refurbished centre has been designed Monaghan County Council by experienced interpretive designers Make Marcon and Haley Sharpe Design join forces for HMS Victory Design and Build

“HMS Victory is the jewel in the Marcon in partnership with international and intergenerational audiences. The designers, Haley Sharpe Design have been new interpretation scheme will promote a crown of Portsmouth Historic awarded the design and build contract for sense of fun, exploration and discovery, Dockyard. Visitors are already the interpretation and fit-out of the HMS where learning together through shared familiar with the dramatic story Victory Gallery in Portsmouth. experiences is a key outcome for the project and will positively engage visitors. of the ship’s role at the Battle of We will work closely with The National Trafalgar. At the heart of the new Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory Preservation Company to gallery will be an immersive AV successfully deliver the £1.1 million project experience unlike anything else on which will focus primarily on the ship site. We are extremely excited to itself and the Battle of Trafalgar and will transform the visitor experience drawing on be working with Marcon and hsd key iconic artefacts and resources. on this project and look forward to The gallery will be spread across two floors welcoming visitors to the new and create 620 m2 of new exhibition space. gallery which opens Spring 2020.” The interpretation will be multi-level so that visitors can decide how much information and knowledge they want or Andrew Baines, need to acquire as part of the visit and it Deputy Director of Heritage, The will be delivered through a diverse range of National Museum of the Royal Navy media and means, appropriate for family Capturing Ecology: Hidden Worlds at the Museum

Marcon was appointed by National Museum showcases research being undertaken by The exhibition is also the centrepiece of of to design, ecologists around the world. the Northern Ireland Science Festival’s build and install 2 freestanding structures collaboration with National Museums. as part of a temporary exhibition at the It showcases how professional ecologists Ulster Museum. use specialist skills and technology to reveal The exhibition will run from 11th February the hidden parts of the natural world and 2020 to the 22nd March 2020. Capturing Ecology is an exhibition based allows visitors to engage with a world that around the British Ecological Society’s they might not normally see. annual photography competition, which Oweninny Wind Farm Visit Visitor Centre Information Centre

Marcon has been awarded the contract on caring for our planet through raising interactives, graphics, display cases, “The designs for this are really very Visit Derry Information Centre are The new premises comprise the ground for the exhibition fit-out in the new 700 awareness of climate change and promoting signage, partitions, way finding and relocating to Waterloo Place and floor of the former Ulster Bank building m2 Oweninny Wind Farm Visitor Centre the use of wind turbines. It will also consider mechanical & electrical installations. impressive and when completed Marcon has been selected by Derry City and will provide a vibrant, innovative and which will incorporate exhibition space; the landscape in which the wind farm will be world class. This project and District Council to work highly interactive visitor attraction and café; toilets and a retail area to support the is based, characteristics of the natural Fit-out works are due to begin on site in alongside award-winning interpretive improved visitor experience, that will Oweninny Wind Farm. environment, the bog flora, fauna and March 2020 with completion in May 2020. will enhance the entire Waterloo designers DESIGNMAP to deliver promote tourism within the city as well as wider landscape. Place area of the city and bring the specialised fit-out and associated a café and retail area. The exhibition will focus on science, new life and activity into a key construction works. engineering and technology related to Marcon has been responsible for Work has begun on site in January and renewable energy. It will promote initiatives specialist joinery, AV hardware & software, retail area in the city centre.” Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of will be open to the public in May 2020. Derry City and Strabane District Council Michaela Boyle Cllr Michaela Boyle said it was fantastic Mayor of Derry City and Strabane news for the city and region. District Council Cllr

Group pictured at the announcement of the commencement of work on the new offices of Visit Derry at Waterloo Place. From left are Michelle Murray (DCSDC), Jenny O’Donnell (DCSDC), Paul McNaught (Department for Communities), Colin Kirkpatrick (Tourism NI), Mark O’Connor (Marcon Fit-Out), Aeidin McCarter (DCSDC) and Odhran Dunne (Visit Derry). Marcon shoots for the stars at Davagh Dark Sky Observatory

Marcon has been appointed to complete Stone Circles, at the foot of the Sperrin The fast-track 4 week fit-out programme the fit-out works at the highly anticipated mountains, an area of outstanding natural incorporated several specialist items Davagh Dark Sky Observatory near beauty which is steeped in archaeological including holographic installations, virtual Cookstown in . Marcon’s and cultural history. reality headsets and colourful, accessible heritage team will work closely with Tandem interpretation panels. The star attraction Design and District Council Davagh is ideally placed as it has one of in the new observatory is the feature to complete the fit-out of the new centre the ‘darkest skies’ in Ireland and is the telescope which will allow visitors to explore which includes an interactive exhibition. north’s only official ‘dark sky’ reserve. our solar system. There is so little light pollution it will give The observatory is located in Davagh visitors a unique opportunity to experience The new facility will open in Spring 2020. Forest close to the ancient Beaghmore crystal clear views of star constellations. Marcon Fit-Out Tel: 028 9446 1222 A2 Fergusons Way Fax: 028 9446 4333 Kilbegs Road, Antrim [email protected] BT41 4LZ www.marconheritage.com