THE LIBERTY TREE

COMMEMORATING THE 1798 REBELLION IN CARLOW

The base is rather ugly which is a pity.

Bicentenary Commemoration

The bicentenary of the 1798 Rebellion was marked with solemn reflection and remembrance throughout County Carlow in 1998. The people of the county, along with the rest of Ireland, paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and died for religious and civil liberties during the tragic uprising.

The Liberty Tree Sculpture

As part of the commemorations, Carlow's local authorities commissioned a sculpture entitled "The Liberty Tree". The piece was created by Dublin-born, internationally acclaimed artist John Behan, who had once worked as an engineer at the Carlow Sugar Factory earlier in his life.

Honouring the Fallen

The sculpture serves as a poignant memorial to those massacred in the Battle of Carlow, whose remains lie in the Croppy Grave in Graiguecullen. Crafted from bronze and mounted on a circular base with a fountain, it features a haunting arrangement of skeletal figures encircling the silhouette of a tree.

Unveiling and Legacy

The unveiling ceremony, led by Councillor Rody Kelly, then Chairman of Carlow Urban District Council, took place on Saturday, June 13th, 1998. Today, the "Liberty Tree" stands as a prominent landmark in the heart of Carlow town, a constant reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.