Sculpture Trail
A Fishy Tale by Carmel Doherty
Mill Road, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
Designed around a fish leaping out of water. I wanted a smooth finish to show the effect of water on stone.
Memory and Meaning by Colin Grehan & Barry Wrafter
Mill Road, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
This piece was made as a testament to the Clare hurlers triumph in the All Ireland Final of 1995 after eighty years in the doldrums. The sculpture was created by Barry Wrafter and Colin Grehan. The sculptors picked the site across from the Mill because of its accessibility and can be easily viewed from the road by passing traffic. The sculpture is made of Irish limestone and it consists of three over life size stones. Two of the stones have heads carved into the apex reflecting the old and new. They also have foliage carved into the side. In a bowl shaped depression in these stones is carved poetry about the beauty of the game of hurling. The poets that penned these poems are Jimmy Smyth and Brian McMahon. The centre stone depicts two hurlers rising for the ball, which is the essence of the game. The date at the bottom pertains to the year they won the All Ireland Final. The sculpture took three months to complete in all and was erected in August 1997.
4 Minds by Diarmuid O’Twohighk
Mill Road, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
“The concept of “Four Minds” is based on a philosophical theme involving a combination of early Greek and Christian thought. Each head endeavours to protray a personal belief or understanding of Being in the World, or as the German philosopher Martin Heidegger used “Dasein and Zeit” -”Being and time”.
1. Head one - the concept or spirit of “Care” or Cura in Latin and Sorge in German.
2. Head two - the concept of spirit of tranquility and harmony.
3. Head three - the concept of Anxiety or Angst that is part of Being in the World.
4. Head four - the concept of the sensual or desire for totality of Being.
The use of the joined hands beneath each head endeavours to express the mediative Christian will towards unity of Mind and Spirit.
Dreamboat by Fiona O’Dwyer
Mill Road, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
Fiona O’Dwyer is a sculptor/fine artist based in Clare in “Ennistymon Sculpture Works”
Dreamboat is carved from Kilkenny limestone and is situated near Mill House on the Ennis River Walk. The surface of the boat and cross has “drawings” and other markings carved onto it including Dress, Star-Map, Heart etc. These offer clues as to the the story the piece tells.
Embrace Nature by Shane Gilmore
Parnell St. Car Park, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
“This was my first attempt at stone carving. At first I found it very difficult and frustrating, but eventually I got really into it. The piece is meant to represent our dependence and relationship with each other and the natural world around us”.
Sleepy Head - Helping Hands by Shane Gilmore
Parnell St. Car Park, Ennis.
Limestone, 1998
“There was no premediated concept behind these pieces. They are a more subconscious result of working with my assistant, David McNamara and our collaborated thoughts. They evolved almost accidentally but seem to me to symbolise the laid back and friendly side of Ennis life”.
Contentment is Wealth by Fiona O’Dwyer
O’Connell Square, Ennis.
Limestone, 1997
Fiona O’Dwyer is a sculptor/fine artist based in Clare in “Ennistymon Sculpture Works”
Contentment is Wealth is carved from Limestone. The fiddle player and seat are situated on the “Height” in Ennis. The title is also that of a traditional Irish tune.
Clara by Carmel Doherty
Bindon Street, Ennis.
Limestone, 1998
Woman reclining on back while resting on elbows. I wanted a smooth finish to show the effect of water on stone.
Trinity by Diarmuid O’Twohighk & Marcel Twohighk
Club Bridge, Ennis.
Limestone, 1998
The concept of my sculpture “Trinity” was to endeavour to protray (from a triangular block) a feeling of unity amongst man, in their quest for tranquility and harmony in this life. Using each corner section for a human figure, stylized in form and containing a head that involved an interaction of human and animal elements, (expressing the evolution of homo sapiens). I endeavoured to express an overall totality that exists between nature and man. Using a Romanesque arch for penetration of light between each form I endeavoured to express a unity and harmony conducive to the site and local environment.
Weathered Woman by José Croft
Barrack St., Ennis
Limestone, 1998
Weathered Woman was made for Ennis as a seated sculpture where one might sit with ‘her’ reading or in quite contemplation, or in the case of small children, climbing onto her back or lap Who is Weathered Woman? Weathered by what? Weathered Woman is whoever we want her to be. She represents all of us ‘weathered’ by life, and she remains the boulder weathered by water, wind, heat, cold . . . .
Weathered Woman was designed for a quite, sunny position in a sun trap as the play of light and shadow is an integral part of the sculpture and sun traps are precious outdoor seating areas in this country! However, in her current position she is in shade all afternoon.
Ireland has an ancient and rich heritage of stonework: all these provide constant inspiration especially the simple and stylised forms of the Celtic and mediaeval works where the expression of an idea is more important that realistic representation. Particularly inspiring always are natural stone formations, especially in areas such as the Burren, here in County Clare.
José Croft was educated in Australia, receiving a Diploma in Fine Arts in 1976. Although she has worked with stone in building and gardening construction, it is only recently that she has turned to stone carving.
Manse Garden
Water Sculptures
Templegate Wooden Sculpture
Hands
Private Remembers by Shane Gilmore
Kilrush Road, Ennis.
Limestone, 1999
This piece represents a soldier of the Clare Militia (circa 1890), he bows in respect with his hat off, to those who have suffered at the hands of famine and war. He is positioned at the ‘old military barracks’ on the Kilrush Road. Once a fever hospital, then a military barracks, it is now a modern housing estate built by Ennis Urban Council.