11 November 2009

Obel Tower Welcomes TV Star

A kids TV daredevil scaled the UK's tallest crane on a recent visit to the Obel Tower construction site in Belfast.

Blue Peter's Joel Defries climbed 110 metres to see the work being undertake at Donegall Quay by building firm O'Hare & McGovern.

After a safety session, fearless Joel commenced the climb to the top of the crane and savoured the panoramic views over Belfast.

Joel is pictured here, at the base of the Obel Tower with Clare Anderson, Demonstration Projects Manager with Constructing Excellence and Stephen Burke, Project Manager with O'Hare & McGovern.

Crane Operator, Gerard McCarron, said he welcomed Joel into the cab but unfortunately due to very strong winds Joel was unable to actually operate the crane.

However, he said that he was exhilarated by the climb to the top.

Blue Peter anticipates that the footage will be televised in the New Year and viewers will see for themselves just how high over Belfast city the Obel Tower crane actually stands.

Stephen Burke, Project Manager with O'Hare & McGovern expressed his delight at having Joel on site.

"It's not often that the construction industry and children's television cross paths so it’s been a real delight for us to facilitate this shoot for the BBC."

The crane will remain on the Obel site until April 2010; however it is already a recognisable feature of the Belfast skyline attracting much attention from across the city.

The Obel Tower, soon to be Ireland’s tallest building, has just recently been named as a Demonstration Project of best practice for Design Quality using Modern Methods of Construction by Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland.

(PR/BMcC)