Ireland

ONCE AGAIN I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED THIS MEMORIAL TO VERONICA GUERIN

March 11, 2025 by infomatique

DUBLIN CASTLE 11 MARCH 2025

The memorial sculpture dedicated to Veronica Guerin, located within the Dublin Castle Gardens, serves as a poignant reminder of her courageous work and tragic death.

Significance:

Veronica Guerin was an Irish investigative journalist who was murdered in 1996 for her reporting on organised crime. The memorial honours her dedication to exposing criminal activity.

The memorial therefore stands as a symbol of press freedom and the risks journalists take to uncover the truth.

It also serves as a location to remember the dangers of organised crime.

Location and Context:

The Dublin Castle Gardens provide a dignified and reflective setting for the memorial.

It is within an area that also contains other memorial gardens, including one dedicated to Gardaí killed in the line of duty, which places her sacrifice within the context of those who serve the public.

The location within Dublin castle gardens, makes it a very public place, and a place that is visited by many people.

Symbolism:

The memorial acts as a permanent reminder of the cost of pursuing justice.
The phrase inscribed on the memorial “Be not afraid” is a very powerful message.

Recent events:

Recent visits by political figures such as Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, shows the continuing importance of the memorial, and the subject of violence against women.

THE QUINCENTENNIAL SAILS SCULPTURE BY EAMONN O’DOHERTY

February 11, 2025 by infomatique

18 JUNE 2018 EYRE SQUARE IN GALWAY

The Quincentennial Sails Sculpture in Galway’s Eyre Square

This striking Corten steel sculpture, known as the Quincentennial Sails, was created by Irish artist Éamonn O’Doherty. The sculpture is situated in Eyre Square, Galway, a space that also features a freestanding fountain erected in 1984. My attempts to capture the sculpture photographically began in August 2015, with initial efforts using a Sony NEX-7 camera proving unsuccessful due to poor lighting conditions. Subsequent attempts were often hindered by event restrictions in Eyre Square that limited public access.

While reviewing my photographic archive, I rediscovered some images taken in June 2018. These were captured with an ultra-wide 15mm Voigtlander lens, resulting in significant distortion. At the time, I chose not to publish them. However, with recent improvements in distortion correction software, I’ve been able to rework four of these 2018 photographs, which I now present here.

Éamonn O’Doherty (1939 – 4 August 2011), a multi-talented artist born in Derry, Northern Ireland, worked across various media, including sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, and lecturing. He was particularly renowned for his large-scale public sculptures. O’Doherty passed away in Dublin at the age of 72.

TEMPLECRONEY STONE SCULPTED BY MICHELLE BYRNE

September 10, 2024 by infomatique

CARLOW TOWN 30 AUGUST 2024

The plaque describes this stone sculpture map of Carlow town and the River Barrow as a sculpture created by artist Michelle Byrne. It was unveiled on November 29, 2013, and is located beside the Barrow River in Carlow.

The sculpture is titled “The Templecroney Stone,” and it features a detailed and accurate depiction of Carlow town and the river as they appeared in 2013. The map was carved into the stone using an overlay technique, creating a permanent “image” of the town for future generations to appreciate.

Michelle Byrne is a member of the 9 Stones Artists group, and this sculpture reflects her recent foray into stone sculpting, showcasing her talent and creativity.

Based on my research, here’s what I can tell you about 9 Stones Artists:

Formation and Location: 9 Stones Artists is a collective of professional artists formed in 2004. They are based in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains in South County Carlow, Ireland.

Members: The group consists of nine members:

Michelle Byrne
Cathy Fitzgerald
Annabel Konig
Anthony Lyttle
Remco de Fouw
Martin Lyttle
Jules Michael
Rachel Joynt
Gwen Wilkinson

Focus and Activities: The group engages in various collaborative projects and exhibitions, showcasing their individual artistic practices and exploring themes related to their environment and community. They have collaborated with book artist Ciara Healy on “The Book Project,” which resulted in a book of hand-printed woodblock prints reflecting on their relationship to their practice and place of work.

Exhibitions and Recognition: Their work has been exhibited in various locations, including the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art in Carlow.

In essence, 9 Stones Artists is a dynamic collective of artists based in County Carlow, Ireland, dedicated to creative expression and collaboration.

FAMINE MEMORIAL BY SCULPTOR JOHN MC KENNA

August 26, 2024 by infomatique

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE DROPPING WELL PUB IN MILLTOWN

The Dropping Well Pub in Milltown stands as a poignant reminder of the Great Famine’s devastating impact on Ireland. Its origins as a community morgue in 1847, during the worst year of the famine, are indeed chilling. Further underscoring its connection to this tragic period, a dedicated Famine Memorial, sculpted by John McKenna and unveiled in 1997, stands prominently at the pub’s entrance, serving as a solemn tribute to those who tragically lost their lives.

ORPEN SCULPTURE AT THE TALBOT HOTEL IN STILLORGAN

August 23, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 20 AUGUST 2024

Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood Unveils Orpen Sculpture at Historic Talbot Hotel Stillorgan

Stillorgan, Dublin – [September 27 2018] – The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a historic landmark steeped in South Dublin’s heritage, recently hosted a weekend of commemorative events honouring the renowned artist Sir William Orpen, who was born in Stillorgan in 1878.

The celebrations culminated on Saturday, 15th September, with the unveiling of a specially-commissioned bronze sculpture of Orpen by Rolling Stones guitarist and artist, Ronnie Wood. The striking 11-foot-tall piece, created by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie, now stands proudly outside the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a fitting tribute to the artist in his birthplace.

Wood, an admirer of Orpen’s work, expressed his delight at bringing the sculpture to the town, marking the successful culmination of years of planning and fundraising by the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce.

Following the unveiling, a concert featuring renowned musicians such as Paul Harrington, Paddy Cole, and Fiachra Trench, Orpen’s grand-nephew, took place at the hotel.

The second day of the celebrations saw an art exhibition showcasing Orpen’s work, and a presentation on the artist’s life and times by Dominic Lee, Project Manager of the William Orpen Weekend.

Lee remarked on the significance of the weekend, stating, “The realisation of this project is a testament to the dedication of the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce, Rowan Gillespie, the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan team, and the generous donors. It has been a labour of love to honour one of our most beloved artists.”

About the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan

The Talbot Hotel Stillorgan occupies a site rich in history. It is believed that the original Mount Merrion House, built in the early 1800s, once graced these grounds. The house was later divided, and in 1961, the South County Hotel opened on the site. Following a rebranding in 1986 and subsequent expansions, the hotel stands today as the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, a testament to the area’s evolving landscape while honouring its past.

About the Artist: Rowan Gillespie

Rowan Gillespie, an internationally renowned Irish sculptor, is celebrated for his mastery of bronze casting and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his art.
Born in Dublin in 1953, Gillespie spent his formative years in Cyprus before returning to Ireland to pursue his passion for sculpture.

Working alone in his purpose-built foundry in Blackrock, Gillespie personally oversees every aspect of the creative process, from conception to installation. This dedication to hands-on craftsmanship is evident in the intricate detail and emotional depth of his sculptures.

Gillespie’s work encompasses a wide range of subjects, often drawing inspiration from Irish history, literature, and mythology. His notable public commissions include the poignant “Famine” memorial on Dublin’s Custom House Quay, the iconic statue of James Joyce on North Earl Street, and the evocative “Proclamation” sculpture commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising.

The recently unveiled sculpture of Sir William Orpen is a testament to Gillespie’s ability to capture the essence of his subjects. The 11-foot-tall bronze piece, featuring a bust inspired by one of Orpen’s self-portraits, stands as a powerful tribute to the artist and his legacy.

Gillespie’s work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of the power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and connect us to our shared human experience.