"Crann" 2024 Roundwood, Co Wicklow

"Crann" 2024

for St Laurence O'Toole's National School, Roundwood, Co Wicklow, Carved windfall oak, 1m tall.

Commissioned as part of the Creative Schools Initiative. I ran a soap-carving workshop for the 5th and 6th classes, as a safe way to introduce important carving concepts. This was followed a month later by 4 days of carving on site, during which time the 5th and 6th classes all had the chance to try wood carving. The wood is left untreated as a nod to the school eco-garden, keeping it wildlife friendly. The carving is loosely based on the the Ralaghan Idol from Bronze Age Ireland, and the school children came up with the name Crann, which is Irish for "a tree". They have since told me about various playground games they have created around this sculpture.

Image Details

  • Crann 2024, playground of St Laurence O'Toole's National School, Roundwood
  • Students try their hands at carving oak
  • At the launch May 30th 2024
  • Crann