The Trip to Gort - Another Ann Meldon Hugh Sculpture

A stop on the way to Gort last week to see this new Ann Meldon Hugh sculpture commissioned by Westmeath County Council for the N6 Motorway Kilbeggan to Athlone at the Moate Interchange. The sculpture is entitled Moategranoge. The mound on which the sculpture is placed represents the motte that gave the town of Moate its name.

The figure represents Grainne Og who gave her name to this motte. Grainne was a Munster lady who married one of the local chieftains. She took upon herself the office of Brehon and from the motte adjudicated on law cases.

The figure is of bronze and stainless steel and the motte is constructed of precast concrete covered with earth and planted with slow growing grass.

It seems a pity that it's not actually visible from the M6, you have to take the Moate exit to see it. Still another striking roadside sculpture.

Ann Meldon Hugh is based in Kells, Co Meath and has many public sculptures, especially in counties Meath and Louth, to her name.