‘Circle of Life’ public art sculpture unveiled in Athleague

Another addition to Roscommon’s ever-growing number of public art works was launched recently by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary.

The Athleague Circle of Life public park was recently unveiled by the Minister, and part of the park development project included a site-specific public artwork created by Dublin artist Paul Harrison.

Roscommon County Council described ‘Circle of Life’ as a 2.4m tall artwork which “captures the rich history and tradition of Athleague,” adding that the sculpture’s overall “playful and abstract style” characterises “a bright, creative future for the thriving South Roscommon village”.

Mr Harrison is fine art artist working in sculpture and surface reliefs. His abstract forms are driven by the conversion of data into surface areas, volumes, and shapes. Responding to the village and community, each component of the sculpture represents a particular element of Athleague’s story.

Among the elements featured are the local Mill Water Wheel represented by two coral-coloured disks. These disks also echo the plan layout of the park. The River Suck, which drains the village, is represented by the gently flowing curve of apertures that travel along the edge of the work.

A block of solid ash timber featured in the sculpture represents ‘the clash of the ash’ and the rich history and traditions of the sport of hurling in Athleague.

Further features of the new sculpture include the incorporation of the granite boulder, representing the La Tène Stone at Castlestrange, while the textured coloured steel background represents the gently, undulating surrounding grasslands and farmlands.

The Vertical steel element, representing the backbone of the community, rises up through the sculpture and connects and unites the various elements while the Famine walkway, synonymous with Athleague village, is represented by the linear horizontal void.

“The community of Athleague is thrilled with our ‘Circle of Life’ sculpture by artist Paul Harrison,” said local resident Ann Conneally. “Paul perfectly captured us as a community as we continue to move forward in a creative way, but yet always remember to look back and remember our local heritage.”

The park is set to become a focal point of the historic village of Athleague and is expected to attract many visitors to coincide with the End of Summer Festival in the village which takes place in late August.