EDEN PARK IN DUN LAOGHAIRE
I first photographed it, at Eden Park, twelve years ago but until today I did not realise that this sculpture was by the father of Rachel Joynt who’s sculpture “Archer II” is located nearby at Newtownsmith.
A few years a person who did not provide their name contacted me claiming that someone with the surname could not be considered to be Irish. The Irish surname Joynt is originally a Huguenot name, from the Old French word “joint” meaning “united,” or “joined. The surname Joynt was first found in counties Limerick and Mayo.
A central theme of Joynt’s work is the celebration of family and humanity. In this sculpture the mother, with unrelenting strength, holds aloft the curled child. The simple curved forms and the balanced bulk of the figures gives the work a monumental, timeless and universal quality that is fitting for this residential location.
Today I used what is supposed to be my best lens [Sony FE 85MM GM] but I was not happy with the resulting images.
DICK JOYNT: The artist Dick Joynt, who has died aged 64, was renowned for his work in stone. One of his best-known sculptures is The Ram, located just off the Dublin-Wexford road near Bray, Co. Wicklow. Weighing over 30 tons, it is nine feet in height and 13 feet in length, and is one of the largest works of its kind in Ireland.
Here is how Eden Park was described in the property pages of local newspapers: “Fantastic location in Sandycove, beside DART station and a short walk from the sea. Whether your looking for a quick dip in the water or grab an icecream and walk the pier, Eden Park is a wonderful base. Close to shops, restaurants and bars in Sandycove, Glasthule and Dun Laoghaire all within walking distance.”
