As cool as ice

David Walsh left Wexford and moved to the US in the early nineties. Walsh had qualified as a chef at the College of Catering in Dublin’s Cathal Brugha Street. In 1992, he headed for Chicago to kick start his promising chef career at one of the city’s best hotels, the Hilton and Towers Hotel.

 

But, while working at the Hilton and Towers, Walsh got to know a Japanese sculptor who taught the young Irish chef the traditional art of ice-sculpting. Walsh found the unusual art fascinating and continued to further his skill by taking courses held by top sculptors Steve Rose and Mark Dukas.

 

For five years Walsh was Executive Chef at a major university in Philadelphia. During that period, he created numerous ice-sculptures for the University and for various corporate functions throughout the state and in nearby New York and New Jersey. Walsh was also in charge of carving the ice sculptures for the 2004 Miss America contest in Atlantic City.

 

After 12 years living and working in the US, Walsh decided it was time to come back home and bring back to Ireland all the skill of sculpting crystal clear ice which he had learned.

 

“When I was back in Chicago I realized there was a market in Ireland for ice sculptures. Every time I came home form the US for the likes of my sister’s wedding, I realized there was a business opportunity there, as nobody was doing it,” he explains.

 

“It’s a very unique service because there are very few people doing it in the country, even though there is a big demand for it.”

 

Walsh set up ice sculpting company Diamond Ice Sculptures, three years ago back in Wexford, where he has based his workshop. Diamond Ice Sculptures creates customized ice sculptures for special occasions, supplying tailored crystal clear ice sculptures nationwide.

 

Based on the clients’ ideas and taste, Walsh personally designs the outlines of each sculpture. At his Wexford workshop, Walsh makes his own ice, carves his artistic designs and keeps them cool until the specially equipped van takes the art to its final destination.

 

Diamond Ice Sculptures has been commissioned for a range of sporting, corporate and cultural events in Ireland and abroad, including the American Express Golf Championships at Mount Juliet.

 

The company’s website www.diamondicesculptures.com showcases some of Walsh’s previous work with ice for weddings and corporate events. The sculptures go from ice vases to logos for events, candle holders, wedding couples and ice castles.

 

For more information, contact David Walsh on 087 693 1010 or visit www.diamondicesculptures.com