Maid of Erin inspiration for book ‘Faithful Images' - Public Art in County Offaly

IT was with much delight that Finbarr Spain, Chairman of Birr Historical Society welcomed architect/town planner Fergal MacCabe and photographer, Paul Moore to Birr in January 2024 to talk about their recent publication ‘Faithful Images’.

This book is about architectural history and through the medium of photography examines close up, nineteen sculptures in Offaly – their stories, settings, qualities and symbolism. Finbarr reflected, that we often don’t stop to think about the work of art on display in public spaces and sometimes we hurry past without taking notice or even knowing their names.

Fergal MacCabe, recalled how Birr meant a lot to him, and that his love of sculpture started in Birr, the first time he visited the town. In the week after completing his Leaving Certificate, he cycled from Banagher into Birr, arriving along by the walls of the Castle, and suddenly he found himself in a small square. This was when he fell in love with the Maid of Erin, the first work of public art which had an impact on him and this sculpture was the inspiration for the book ‘Faithful Images’. In 1966 he won a scholarship from Offaly County Council to study architecture in University College Dublin.

Fergal explained, that public art is part of public history and sculptures reflect change over time. In Ireland, prior to 1900, it is about dominance, overlordship. For example, in Birr, the Duke of Cumberland and in Edenderry the Marquess of Downshire. Post 1920, it is about grief, remembering, the war of independence. By 1950, it is Catholic iconography.

In 1973 Ireland joined the European Community (now the EU) and money flowed into the country for public art schemes. Local people too, were inspired to pursue projects about their own stories. For example Horseleap has ‘Prancing Horse' Geashill, ‘Lady Muc – The Pig on the Green’ and Killeigh, the world famous greyhound ‘Mick the Miller’.

Paul Moore spoke about, how his interest in photography began as an hobby in his early 40’s. During a family walk in Lough Boora Parklands, he took a photo using his I-phone of the Boora Bog Train, put the image up on Facebook and sometime later, he was contacted by a company in California, asking for permission to use this image in an exhibition.

A former accountant, he is now a professional photographer and some of his work includes taking photographs for book covers. In his illustrated talk, Paul talked about his role as the photographer capturing images which interpret another person’s work. For example, the Pilgrim based in Clonmacnoise, a close up shot with the hands over the face, shows the emotion of grief. The Hurler in Birr, an image taken beneath the sculpture, shows the physical power of the player. The Phoenix in Tullamore commemorating the story of when a balloon set the town on fire, required the reflective material to be captured up close.

During their presentation, both Fergal and Paul gave the audience a new appreciation of how public sculptures in Offaly contribute to our unique local history and culture. They connect us with our past and present. The Turf Cutter, the symbol of our bogland heritage, was photographed in the wilderness of Blackwater Bog carpark, near Shannonbridge. A close-up image of the Maid of Erin, erected in 1894, details a young woman, with her faithful Irish wolfhound at her side, holding a celtic cross in her hand, with the harp next to her skirt. The Third Earl of Rosse (The Astronomer Earl) is located in the beautiful setting of John’s Mall, Birr.

The book ‘Faithful Images’ contains stunning photographs of public art, with detailed information on the significant story behind them. The audience was inspired to “take time to look – then to look again” at our public art with a new vision and to find out more about their local place.

Chairman, Finbarr Spain thanked Fergal and Paul on behalf of Birr Historical Society for their wonderful presentation, his committee and everyone who attended the talk.