Truckloads of sand were being transformed into elaborate sculptures in the grounds of Dublin Castle yesterday for the fifth year of the Dublin Sand Sculpture Festival.
The exhibition is hosted by a group of Irish and Latvian sculptors called Duthain Dealbh, which translates as "fleeting sculptures", who are using compacted quarry sand from Wicklow to carve five giant monuments, based on the theme of the five senses.
Brothers Alan and Niall Magee from Wicklow, and Dubliners Fergus Mulvany and Daniel Doyle are joined this year by award-winning Latvian sculptor Sandis Kondrats. The work is attracting thousands of visitors each day.
The artists will continue carving until the end of the week and the sculptures will be on display until the end of August.