Doire - An Ancient Place
Wood Sculpture Project
Doire - An Ancient Place - Our New Project
We are very excited to announce another Eden Place public art project. The success of our 2021 Colmcille Woodcarving Project, showing the life of St Columba in a series of hand carved wooden plaques, now on display at St Columb’s Wells, has spurred us on to create “Doire - An Ancient Place.”
“Doire - An Ancient Place” goes much further back in time, and depicts how the site of the modern city of Derry would have looked in pre-Christian times - in a period known as the Celtic Iron Age, from around 500 BC to 400 AD.
The original idea of Doire in pre-Christian times came from our Arts Administrator, Judi Logue, who then went on to devote many hours to project managing the entire enterprise from start to finish. Judi consulted with Liam Kennedy, our woodcarving tutor for many years past and driving force behind the Colmcille project, and EPAC committee member Aileen Mac Manus. Judi then approached Stephen Ross, EPAC committee member and long time participant in our art and pottery classes. At this point the project “took off,” with Stephen undertaking exhaustive research into the history and mythology of ancient times in Ireland. The detailed description that follows this introduction is Stephen’s work.
The main concept came from the fact that the Derry site was originally an island that was surrounded by what is now the River Foyle. The ideal location for the project was felt to be at the bottom of Fahan Street, looking up at the city walls. After several meetings, a final structure was agreed, which would combine Irish mythology with archaeological findings as to how the population lived in those times. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive very generously agreed to fund the project.
Stephen then used his considerable artistic talents to produce many sample drawings of the main features of the times, as well as overall plans of the finished work. Liam and Judi approached our community of woodcarvers, past and present, for volunteers to undertake the very intricate process of turning Stephen’s drawings into individual relief carvings. The carvings would ultimately come together to make the wonderful creation you can see today.
Having sourced the sweet chestnut wood, Liam Kennedy then mentored our woodcarvers throughout the process, as well as carving a considerable part of the project himself. Special mention also to Jimmy Smyth, who did a lot of extra work in both the numbers of plaques produced and in finishing off some of the pieces of work. Jimmy, helped by many of the carvers, also led the varnishing process in preparation for the final display frame.
It would be impossible to calculate how many hours of work our carvers put into their plaques. Without doubt it runs into hundreds, with carving undertaken in EPAC itself and with many of the volunteers working at home. We are extremely proud of the results, which highlight the ancient history and myth of this beautiful location, eventually to become the city it is today. Not only does this enterprise show the talents and individuality of the carvers but it also demonstrates how Eden Place Arts continues to be a centre for community, creativity and co-operation in our local area and beyond.
This beautiful project will be launched on Thursday 27th June 2024 @ 12 noon. Please check with Eden Place Arts Centre for more information.
