Project Overview
Location: Harcourt Square, Dublin City Centre, Ireland.
Timeline: August 2025
Cranes Deployed:
Outcome
The operation was an unqualified success, marked by:
Zero-Incident Completion: Executed seamlessly without any safety issues.
Critical Milestone Achieved: Enabled the project to proceed to its next stages.
Technical Excellence: A landmark lift demonstrating precision planning in an urban environment.
Strengthened Stakeholder Relations: Fostered deeper community and authority ties.
A Industry Benchmark: A testament to collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering safety commitment.
The Challenge
The dismantling of a large tower crane in a major city centre presents a unique set of challenges that far exceed those of its initial erection. The primary difficulties included:
Extreme Urban Constraints: The site was located in the heart of Dublin, surrounded by active businesses, public thoroughfares, and sensitive infrastructure. There was zero margin for error.
Limited Space: The operation required immense equipment, specifically a massive 800-tonne mobile crane, which needed to be positioned and rigged in tightly confined streets.
Public Safety: Ensuring the absolute safety of the general public, local businesses, their patrons, and all site personnel was the non-negotiable top priority.
Logistical Complexity: Coordinating the arrival and setup of large-scale equipment, managing city traffic, and securing all necessary permits from Dublin City Council required meticulous advance planning.
Technical Difficulty: The operation involved working at significant heights to carefully disassemble and lower large, heavy components with precision engineering to avoid any incident.
The Solution
The project team implemented a multi-faceted solution centred on meticulous planning, cutting-edge equipment, and exceptional collaboration.
Deployment of Specialist Equipment: Kavanagh Crane Hire Ltd deployed Ireland’s largest telescopic mobile crane, the new 800-tonne Liebherr LTM1750-9.1. This crane’s immense capacity and reach were critical in safely handling the heavy tower crane components from a single, strategically chosen position.
Collaborative Expertise and Precision Planning: The operation was a masterclass in teamwork. John Paul Construction oversaw the entire process, while Parr Crane Services’ specialist climbing team executed the complex dismantling work at height. Kavanagh’s operators then performed the precision lifts from the ground.
Comprehensive Traffic and Safety Management: Gary Keville Traffic Management Limited (GKTM) implemented a robust traffic management plan to safely accommodate the crane’s setup and operation within the public street, minimising disruption to the city.
Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Compliance: Proactive cooperation with Dublin City Council ensured all permits and regulations were met. Continuous communication with local businesses and organisations helped manage expectations and was key to maintaining positive community relations throughout the disruptive process.
