Exhibition & Display
Since completing the design and fit-out of the interiors at the Titanic Experience in Cobh, we have been approached to consult, design and fabricate on various other award-winning interpretive projects across Ireland. A full project management service can be provided in these instances, taking in feasibility, concepts, design, build and fit-out. Alternatively, we can make bespoke museum standard mannequins, models and replica artifacts, and provide authentic period props and dressing. We also make original display units, panels and plinths to order, for retail, gallery or exhibition display.
Commissions include a 1:12 replica model of the Vickers Vimy biplane, and restoration work to the exhibits at Cork City Gaol, which also involved the construction of a working replica Victorian Weighing Chair. Our full-sized figures, heads, stocks and other display pieces can be seen at Elizabeth Fort in Cork. Other commissions around this time include extra display units for the 'Faces Of Cork' photographic exhibition, high-spec pop-up displays for Scandale in Brown Thomas, Dublin, and permanent interior display pieces for the Diageo Ireland offices in Dublin.
In June 2016 we finished one of our biggest commissions at the time, providing the bespoke mannequins, period props, stocks, and prison bars for the first phase of the exhibition fit-out at Fortress Spike Island in Co Cork, in conjunction with Vidar Media. Fortress Spike Island was voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2017.
More recently, we designed and fabricated bespoke plinths for the Crawford Art Gallery for the launch of the revamped Sculpture Gallery. We were also commissioned by Mirador Media to design and fit the famine cottage facade and interactive ship’s wheel for Cobh Heritage Centre. Mirador also contracted us to re-design and fit-out the new Savannah display area at the Dunbrody Famine Ship & Irish Emigrant Experience; construct and fit-out display units for the Hook Lighthouse Save Our Seas Eco Education Station; and design and fit bespoke props and scenic displays for Tipparary County Museum in Clonmel, Valentia Island Lighthouse, Valentia Cable Station, and Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. We also worked as a project partner with UK-based company Katapult on the Portmagee Whiskey Experience which involved design collaboration, project management, and full build and fit-out services.
2023 commissions include the co-design and fit-out of the Avondale Forest Park Seed Store in Co. Wicklow, and project managing the fabrication and fit-out of the Superhuman Medical Technology exhibition for Triangle Productions. Superhuman is now open at Galway City Museum.
"Don Rothwell is one of the most creative people you are ever likely to meet and has a unique attention to detail. It is very difficult to agree a specification for sets or displays while making sure that it is of an appropriate standard. There is a leap of faith involved. Don is a pair of safe hands, and you will be glad you took the leap with him."
Gillen Joyce - Titanic Experience, Cobh
"It was a pleasure to work with Don who listened to what we wanted and provided excellent results. Would highly recommend."
Tommy Mullane - Cork City Gaol
"Setworks responded to a very specific brief with a satisfying, sensitive, and complementary solution. Don and his team took great care throughout the process which ensured delivery of the project on schedule and to high praise."
Michael Waldron - Crawford Art Gallery