Nobber Public Sculpture

Doing some part-time work this week I had reason to visit the Meath village of Nobber. Always on the look out for public sculpture I saw this impressive life size sculpture of Turlough O'Carolan (Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin) the harper who was born near Nobber in 1690.

A simple dignified memorial well situated on the approach to the town. No difficulty recognising who it is and what his trade was. I suppose it is the equivalent in sculpture to the poem or novel where there are no difficult words or ideas - often described as accessible.

The piece was unveiled in October 2003 and was commissioned by the O’Carolan Harp Festival Committee. The sculptor was Ann Meldon Hugh, a stoneware and bronze sculptor, who lives and works in Kells, Co. Meath. She is a Dublin native. Her website has an impressive list of her sixteen public sculptures.

O'Carolan died on March 25, 1738 at the home of his patron Mrs. MacDermott Roe in Alderford, County Roscommon and is buried in Kilronan cemetery nearby. Nobber holds a Harp Festival each year in early October in honour of O'Carolan. This year's event takes place from 02 October to 04 October. It features seminars, lectures, traditional, music concert, harp and instrumental workshops, harp competitions & historical tours, art & craft exhibitions and Ceili.

Keadue in Roscommon holds a similar event earlier in the year.

More information about O'Carolan here and here.