Dublin’s Spire in the running for award

THE country’s most controversial sculpture may still needle some critics but it can aspire to international greatness after being shortlisted for a prestigious architectural award.

First, however, the Spire on Dublin's O'Connell Street will have to do battle with a space monster, a giant pickle and a superschool that apparently turned young louts into Bill Gates wannabes.

The Spire is one of just six colourful creations from around the world to make the shortlist for the Royal Institute of British Architects' premier prize, the Riba Stirling, the winner of which will be announced next month.